Our last edition of Needles in a Haystack featured SOEL from Italy, who was down for an India tour curated by Afterworx. We got to listen to a platter of varied genres of music that he found fit for certain situations.
For this edition, we get into the mind of Karan Desai aka Folic State, one of the Indian dance music world’s most venerated lurkers. The enigmatic Mumbai producer has been holed up in the outskirts of the great Indian metropolis consistently producing top dance tracks for several years. We had him over at one of our Afterworx nights recently, and after an immaculate set, it only seems apt that we delve deep into the many musical influences that drive the style of Folic State. You can also check out a breakdown of his track ‘Theory‘ on Qilla Records up on another section we have called ‘Track Science’.
Here’s a recent B2B set he played in Bangalore for an Occultech Label Night.
The track that is your dance floor weapon
Every time am in doubt, or the dance floor needs some energy, Clock does the trick.
Florian Frings – Clock (Original Mix)
The track that grew onto you
Heard this when I made the shift from Psy-Trance to House/ Techno around 2005-06. Trentemoller has been a major influence to my sound. This one is from his debut album, The Last Resort. Highly recommend listening to the album, those who haven’t.
Trentemøller – Evil Dub (Original Mix)
The track you would love to play to show off your diversity
Apart from the music I play, I dig a lot of downtempo, electronica. Don’t really get an opportunity to play this style. It’s usually what I listen to when I take a day off from the studio.
Oceanvs Orientalis – Tarlabasi (Be Svendsen Remix)
The track you wish you had never played
Since I never really plan a set or make a playlist, there are times when I’ve got a bunch of new tunes and haven’t had the time to hear them all. There have been instances where I’ve regretted playing a track.
Sam Paganini – Chocolate (Original Mix)
The track that you would play to your pet
Don’t have one, but if I did, I can picture us chilling staring into space listening to this.
Bedouin – Hologram (Original Mix)
The track you love closing your sets with
Wrote this last year, while I was experimenting different styles. It’s a pretty special track. Released with KDB records.
Folic State – Begin To Float (Original Mix)
The track you want to be played at your funeral
A soulful tune, with great depth and emotion. Just how I like it.
Martin Roth – An Analog Guy In A Digital World (Original Mix)
The track of the year so far
Definitely ‘Multiverse’ by Fabio Florido, from his recent EP on Plus 8. His work is pretty inspiring. A well-produced track, with great balance along with a strong groove. Been dropping this nearly every set!
Favourite track from an Indian producer
Its great to see producers from India on the rise, pushing out quality music.
Currently for me, it’s got to be Kohra’s Acid Kidz. He’s nailed it with this one. Great production.
The track that inspired you at a critical point in your life
The first time I heard Atmos was in 2001, ever since then his work has been a massive influence. His style of using percussion / drums (specially the snare drum), melodies and fx blew my mind.It made me realise you don’t need too many layers or sounds to make a track sound full.
Atmos – Average Beverage
The track you played that emptied the dance floor
That’s actually not yet happened. Thankfully! haha.
The track that you wished you produced
This truly is a masterpiece! Can hear this on loop.
Emancipator – Time for Space
A track thats an all-time classic to you
Tough one since there are quite a few!
My pick would be Bryan Zentz D-Clash (Matador Remix). A track I often drop, can’t get enough of the power this tune has.
Follow Folic State
Facebook | Instagram | SoundCloud | Beatport | Mixcloud | Resident Advisor
I’m an Ableton Certified Trainer and the co-founder of Beatworx, one of India’s most acclaimed electronic music schools. I’ve been producing music for over a decade. My tryst with computers began in 1994, when I was three years old, and I’ve been wonder-struck by technology ever since. A high school graduate on paper, I went on to prove that formal education isn’t everything. I’m here to help guide you on the fascinating and ever-evolving journey of making music using computers and hardware.
