STÉPHANE GALLAND: KANDA

STÉPHANE GALLAND: KANDA

When a rhythm master surrounds himself with the next generation, you get KANDA!

Stéphane Galland, a drummer celebrated worldwide for his work with Aka Moon, Joe Zawinul, or Ibrahim Maalouf, never stops pushing boundaries. His trio with Lúcia Pires (Steps, Edoardo Cimino, Tomorrow’s Warriors) and Louise van den Heuvel (Sonic Hug, Dishwasher_, Stéphane Galland & The Rhythm Hunters) explores the most primal roots of rhythm to create resolutely modern and captivating music.

KANDA exists in many forms at the same time. It is at once a purely acoustic trio with flute, bass and drums, and a more electronic constellation with the addition of effects and keyboards to the bass and the use of the EWI (electronic wind instrument). In some tracks, the EWI takes over the part of bass, and the bass takes care of the melodies and chords.

KANDA is energetic and rhythmic as well as fragile and atmospheric all at once. Rhythmic complexity is used to pave the way towards new territories of sensation and groove. The compositions, based on hypnotic rhythmic cycles, sweep you into a contemporary ceremony. Lúcia’s flute traces ethereal melodies, Louise’s bass lays down deep grooves, and Stéphane’s drums animate the whole with an almost tribal vitality, all enriched by electronic textures that transport the listener to an altered state.

The debut album of this trio was released on November 28 of 2025 by Challenge Records.