Pole Folder delivers a two hour progressive masterclass…
The old adage “they don’t make them like they used to” might seem trite; however, it certainly applies to Belgian producer Pole Folder. During the 2000s, his knack for delivering epic and soaring productions that immersed you into a world of narrative was unparalleled.
Listen to the amazing ‘Apollo Vibes’ (a co-production with CP); it is intricate yet feels huge, unfolding its themes with the confidence of a master magician. All that craft led to his music being featured in prominent US TV shows (Nip/Tuck, CSI) and movies (2002’s Stark Raving Mad).
Today, Pole Folder is still acknowledged as a versatile performer who continues to tour globally, bringing his intricate studio creations to life with live vocals and various instruments he has mastered since childhood. For more of his work, check out his Reworck label, which features a deep discography.
On this mix, the veteran does not disappoint. Featuring tracks from Fort Romeau, Marsh, Rodriguez Jr., and, of course, Pole Folder himself, this is a deep 2-hour progressive excursion filled with many emotional vocal cuts and introspective moments.
Tracklisting:
1. Sono Kollektiv – Ever Last Thing (Original Mix)
2. Landhouse – V´tama (Original Mix)
3. Desert Dwellers – Abstract Floral Audio feat. Evan Fraser (Original Mix)
4. K2W0 – Groove in G feat. Dandara (Latteo Remix)
5. Beacon – Feel Something (Lake Turner Remix)
6. Noah Lyas – Verträumen (Original Mix)
7. Jean Caillou – Channels
8. Fort Romeau – New Wave (Original Mix)
9. Kerosino – Ayanga [Particles]
10. Son Of Philip, Ylva Grönlund – Infinity feat. Ylva Grönlund (Original Mix)
11. Mulya – Mundu Fires (Original Mix)
12. DSF – Sousamy (Soulfeed Remix)
13. Fka Mash – Kitt (Original Mix)
14. Eleonora, UNDERHER – Slowly Drowning (Kellerkind Remix)
15. Meera (NO) – Grevling (Original Mix)
16. Projections, Woolfy – Neeve (Permanent Vacation Tropical Heat Remix)
17. DSF – Not Like You (Extended Mix)
18. Pole Folder – Elo (Solstice Mix)
19. Droneghost – Biotics (Original Mix)
20. Around Us – Invisible Time (Eichenbaum Remix)
21. Augusto Dassano, Joaco Salerno – Kaleidoscope (Extended Mix)
22. Coco, Rafäl (MA) – There_s Something (DJ CHUS Remix)
23. 1979 – Speedway (Original Mix)
24. Vincent Marlice – Yellow Flare (Stefanie Raschke Remix)
25. Soul Button – Printed Thoughts (Original Mix)
26. Avoure – Aura (Original Mix)
27. Paul Thomas – Emotional Landscapes (Jiminy Hop Remix)
28. Marsh – Free (Marsh’s Extended Dream Mix)
29. Federico Epis – Sapphire (FX)
30. Noel Sanger – Falling Upward (Jamie Stevens Remix)
31. Kiko, Rodriguez Jr. – Miller (Original Mix)
32. Julianna Barwick, ODESZA – This Version Of You (feat. Julianna Barwick) feat. Julianna Barwick (Joseph Ray Extended Remix)
Balance Selections Q+A
Name: Pole Folder
Location: Belgium
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Labels affiliated with: Reworck/ Bedrock/ Proton Music/ Dreaming Awake/ Global Underground/ Click Records/ Sudbeat
My last 3 releases:
What music did you listen to as a child?
My background is heavily rooted in what we call classical music. As a student at the academy, I played in music ensembles and orchestras. I also studied and performed jazz with my trumpet teacher. Additionally, I’ve always loved film soundtracks even when I was very young.
I discovered rock and pop music at school during my teenage years. My parents are not musicians, but they love music, and my older brother is a trumpet player too.
When was the first time that you realised that you liked electronic music?
I think my fascination with synthesizers and music technology began when I saw Duran Duran‘s ‘The Reflex‘ music video on TV when I was 12 years old.
When was the first time you saw a DJ in a club?
My first time seeing a DJ in a club was probably around 1990 – the exact place is lost in a haze. I quickly became immersed in Belgium’s legendary club scene, frequenting iconic spots like Le Boccaccio, La Rocca, At The Villa, Extreme, …. It was a wild ride for nightlife in Belgium – from the late 80s into the 2000s.
Something was always going down, almost every night, and the local DJs kept kicking out fresh, boundary-breaking sounds.
Which producers/artists/acts inspire you?
The list of artists who inspire me is long and always evolving! Classic artists like Pink Floyd and Depeche Mode – especially albums like ‘The Wall‘ and ‘Violator‘ – heavily influenced my taste for sonic landscapes.
Later, I was deeply drawn to the work of producers like Nalin & Kane, CJ Bolland, artists like Massive Attack, Peter Gabriel, and Gus Gus, and DJs like Sasha & Digweed with their Northern Exposure mixes to name a few.
I’m also deeply inspired by the musicianship of the likes of Nile Rodgers or Prince and have huge respect for the production genius of Quincy Jones and Flood. Additionally, I have a strong connection with rock artists ranging from Dire Straits to Queens of the Stone Age.
My passion for soundtracks includes legends like Ennio Morricone, George Delerue, and Danny Elfman, and I also enjoy contemporary artists like Noisia and Chase & Status. There are many more, but these are some key influences that shaped my musical journey. As you can see, my taste is quite eclectic!
What was the last album that you downloaded/purchased?
Massive Attack – 100th Window. I watched a documentary recently about them and I wanted to dive back into that particular album, especially for its beautiful and aesthetic sound design.
What is your current production and DJ set up like?
Today, my studio is primarily ‘In The Box’, centered around my MacBook Pro. While less hardware-intensive than before, powerful software compensates. It’s a conscious choice for mobility and collaboration with other studios, alongside being financially practical. My main DAW is Ableton Live, which I’ve used for over 10 years.
For synths, I rely heavily on Native Instruments Komplete 14, Arturia V Collection, Lié, and Omnisphere, with occasional use of Sugar Bytes apps. Sound processing involves plugins from Plugin Alliance (Vertigo, The Oven, ADPTR, etc.), FabFilter, Native Instruments (especially Guitar Rig), Eventide, Arturia, Valhalla and Waves. While the sheer volume of options can be overwhelming, I’ve developed a streamlined workflow to maintain control over my productions.
My main keyboard is the Kontrol S49 N, and I also use various MIDI controllers. Recently, I’ve primarily played as a DJ on standard Pioneer systems, but I miss the possibilities of my hybrid setup with Live. I’m considering returning to it, even though it’s more gear-intensive
What releases do you have on the horizon?
I’m excited to have several upcoming projects in the works. I’m finalizing my next release on Reworck, along with a remix for Petar Dundov with Federico Epis. Additionally, I have a collaboration with Tim Fretwell and GMJ & Matter nearing completion.
I’m also working with Igor Chevalier from Strob Studio who handles the mixing and mastering of my tracks on a bunch of new ideas. I dedicate a lot of my time to Reworck this year, and we have a fantastic lineup of upcoming releases that I’m very proud of as we will celebrate next year the 15th anniversary of the label.
I’m also looking forward to starting an ambitious new project really important to me that will feature collaborations with diverse vocalists
Where can we hear you perform?
I’ll restart some gigs the summer including the famous event ‘Hernan Cattaneo At The Beach’ on Woodstock – Bloemendaal. If you missed one of my gigs you can always check my Soundcloud account, updated regularly.
Tell us more about the podcast you made for Balance?
I recorded the podcast in my Waterloo studio, using the same setup I have for my hybrid live shows with Ableton Live 12. I mixed with Novation Launch Control and Launch Control XL midi controllers and incorporated additional production work on a few of the tracks, as well as post-production. The selection reflects the best tracks I’ve discovered in recent months.
As usual, my mindset focused on a storytelling construction and build-up. I programmed this set around the idea of the quest for identity, using samples or audio vocals specifically for that purpose – including an interview of Kate Bush from the late 70s. The subject resonated with me on both a human and artistic level.
My Recommendations
The top track in my DJ set currently is:
I’ve enjoyed curating this set, and each track holds a special place in it. I’m particularly excited about the upcoming track by Federico Epis on Reworck. From my entire production catalog, I chose to feature only ‘Elo (Solstice Mix)’, a track I always find exciting to play with a pulse that makes it a guaranteed floor-filler.
If I could recommend only one of my tracks for you to listen to it would be:
I would say (with the difficulty of a long list) ‘Abrasion’, the first track from my album Zero Gold. It was a fantastic time to collaborate with Shelley Harland, a true artist and fabulous vocalist, and to open the production of the album with this track without any boundaries in terms of genre and sonic direction. The lyrics are deeply evocative, and I’m still proud today to introduce that track to people.
If I could recommend only one track for you to listen to it would be:
Maybe Massive Attack ‘Unfinished Sympathy‘. It has everything I love in one track: a dancing beat, beautiful vocalist, melancholy, beautiful harmonies and good sound design. On top of it, it’s still fresh and timeless.
The last movie I watched that I really liked:
Oppenheimer by Christopher Nolan
My favourite TV show:
Undercover by Nico Moolenaar
My favourite holiday destination/hotel:
Anywhere with my family is special. However, I have a particular fondness for Sicily, my mother’s homeland, Japan, and Argentina – especially Buenos Aires, which has held a special place in my heart for almost 20 years.
