For this edition of Needles in a Haystack, we bring you some musical influences and recommendations from our good friend and a versatile DJ based in Shillong, Arpan. With the experience of nearly a decade, he has climbed his way to the upper reaches of success in a rather enviable time. “My style usually varies from some groovy house music to a bit of super pounding techno.” As he puts it, the uniqueness of his sets comes custom-tailored to every single floor that he takes charge of. He has a flair for evolving his sounds to the latest cutting edge music that technology would permit and has a unique ability to keep a packed house together.
As a DJ, he has also shared the stage with a few international heavyweights like Boris Brejcha, Oliver Koletzki, Artbat, John ’00’ Fleming, Guy J, Guy Mantzur, Cid Inc, Blondish to name a few. Currently based in Shillong, Arpan has played gigs all across the nation in all major cities in the country and continues to wreak havoc on dance floors with the sole aim of playing and promoting electronic dance music.
The track that is your dance floor weapon
Tai Tai – M.E.M.O
I first heard a friend of mine drop it and have been playing it ever since, always works 🙂
The track that grew onto you?
Guy J – Bunglow
Something infectious about this tune, it sounds better every time I hear it.
The track you would love to play to shows off your diversity?
The Golden Filter – Talk Talk Talk (Cooper Saver Remix)
I don’t play a lot of tracks with lyrics but this is one of them, also I like the electro feel to it.
The track you wish you had never played?
Artbat – Tabu
So I was in a situation where I thought I should play something that is more popular with the crowd and this was the track I first saw on the ‘POP’ folder I have for back up.
PS – I just don’t like mantras
The track you love closing your sets with?
Pachanga Boys – Time
Don’t get to play closing sets very often but when I do play for my friends it is mostly this because I can’t find a better one.
The track you want to be played at your funeral?
I’d leave that to my boys
The track of the year so far?
8 Bit Culprit – Sifr
It’s soulful and edgy at the same time, listening to it as we speak haha.
Favorite track from Indian producer?
Kohra – Acid Kidz
Kohra and breaks, need I say more?!
The track that inspired you at a critical point in your life?
Trentemoller – Moan (Radio Slave Remix)
I first heard this track at a gig when Sunju Hargun dropped it out of nowhere to a packed club in Mumbai. The place erupted, and it was at that time I was doing a certain style and not taking too much risks as a DJ , that moment changed everything.
The track you played that emptied the dance floor?
Waltervelt – Lunar Operation
This was in Goa earlier this year, I was excited about dropping this track but it didn’t really work .
The track that you wished you produced?
Royskopp – Sordid Affair (Maceo Plex Remix)
I could play this to my grand children someday, lol
A track that’s an all-time classic to you?
Dusty Kid – Lynchesque
Classics to me is timeless music, and this is just that.
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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.
