State of Flow

“Flow” is a scientifically recognized state of mind where a person is completely focused and immersed in what they’re doing- All time seems to stop, the whole world seems to disappear, and the person is performing and creating at their peak levels. Top performance athletes, engineers and especially your favorite music artists all try to do whatever they can to achieve the 'State of Flow'. Although everyone has their own method to achieve “flow”, factors such as creative workspaces, learning beyond their craft, physical/mental well being, feedback/self evaluation on work, and resting time- help all artists create their best work. This installment of 'State of Flow' features Balthazar & Jackrock.

Balthazar & JackRock's techno journey began in the capital of Bulgaria – Sofia, a long time ago. From DJing across the globe, organizing their own events and festivals, to releasing on some of the most renowned labels including Drumcode, Filth On Acid, and Terminal M, Balthazar & JackRock have been deeply entrenched in the global electronic music scene for the past 28 years. The Bulgarian duo gives us their flow tips and tricks just on the cusp of their newest EP 'In The Dark' on KNTXT records.

 

How They Setup a Creative Inducing Workspace

Just the computer with everything we need, all the synthesizers, and a mug of coffee. Sometimes, a candle for mood. It's more about mental preparation. All side tasks have to be completed, all distractions removed, and a period of doing absolutely nothing is necessary before starting.

 

How They Challenge Their Minds and Constantly Learn Outside of Music

The world is changing faster and faster. Each year, we find ourselves in a significantly different world, with many of the things we know undergoing changes. Therefore, it's essential for individuals to remain present and regularly reset or update their knowledge. The traditional trajectory of accumulating knowledge throughout one's life is no longer as applicable. The positive aspect is that with sufficient curiosity, one can easily educate themselves on almost any topic online. However, our love for "analog" reading has never ceased. It offers a way to escape into different worlds and to give our mind a pleasant trip and time off. 

Additionally, when we travel, we always allocate extra days to explore new places, learn about culture and history, and engage with new people. It's astonishing how much one can learn and experience through conversations with random strangers in various parts of the world.

How They Achieve Physical Well Being

Going to the gym, practicing yoga, doing home workouts, and using the stairs—all contribute to maintaining an active lifestyle. An interesting observation is that periods of creativity often clash with maintaining a consistent exercise routine. The quiet of the night, when the world sleeps and you're alone with your thoughts, tends to be the most creative time for our music. However, this disrupts the rhythm of waking up early, leading to consuming an insane amount of coffee and feeling excited to work on tracks. Thus, achieving a somewhat forced balance becomes necessary.

 

How They Maintain Positive Thinking and Mental Well Being

Many mental issues stem from the mind's inability to solve the situations it has created for itself. Questions like "What if" and "Why," comparing, can poison the mind in the creative world. In my case (JackRock), spirituality, meditation, and finding inner peace have provided all the necessary answers to quiet the mind. The focus is on self-improvement and aligning our actions with our feelings. Dwelling on imaginary scenarios detracts from creativity and mood, with little positive effect.

While positive thinking is often encouraged, it can sometimes lead to disappointments. Maintaining a neutral mental balance is key, along with finding sparks of excitement wherever possible. Recently, a quote from a movie resonated with me: "Tell me you're excited, and I'll do everything to support you." The state of excitement is where true magic happens, enabling us to achieve anything.

 

How They Get Feedback And Evaluation On Work

Honestly, we no longer seek much feedback or evaluation of our work. Each person has their own perception, taste, and criteria, and too much feedback can easily sow doubt and disrupt the creative process. When creating art, it's crucial to preserve your vibe and vision in the purest way possible, as you felt it. Additionally, having known your closest artist friends for years, you can almost hear their voices in your head, saying things like "this is too cheesy" or "the hats aren't bright enough."

Feedback becomes important when a batch of tracks is ready. We send them to some friends, even those not deeply into music, to see which track resonates with them the most and to gather different perspectives. An interesting observation is that often the hidden gem for both people and labels is found among the "B-side" tracks we initially neglected.

How They Let Themselves Rest and Not Overwork

This is an essential part of the creative process. Typically, when you're fresh and recharged, you can accomplish tasks much faster compared to when you're exhausted and pushing forward. This principle applies to studio work as well. Spending weeks enclosed in the studio, constantly listening, tweaking, and adjusting, can dull your perception. However, after a week-long break in nature, for example, returning to the studio reveals a much clearer and accurate hearing.

It's also crucial to spend time outside of the working environment, as the mind tends to stay in work mode even during attempts to rest. Casual walks, sports, spa visits, enjoying good food with friends—these activities help distract the mind and allow inspiration to return.

 

How They Get Into A State Of Flow On Their Most Recent Projects

Usually, when a new creative cycle begins, we are brimming with influences, ideas, and directions, and the initial tracks may sound a bit forced or overdone. Then, at a specific moment, when the initial tasks are completed and the mind is calm and free to experiment, something special emerges. This is the moment of our true 'state of flow’.

 

Connect with Balthazar & Jackrock: SoundCloud | Facebook | Instagram 

Be sure to check out Balthazar & Jackrock's Newest EP 'In The Dark' on KNTXT