Flow State Euphoria

I take a deep, slow breath while a subtle, cheeky smile spreads across my face, waiting impatiently through the handful of seconds required for loading.

In that moment, a small, half-headshake of disbelief unfurls.

In the next moment, a wet bubble of excitement wells up then bursts, soaking me.

In all the moments that follow, time slips, flips, distorts, and spirals.

Two hours pass in a single breath.

Four hours fade in a playful haze.

When time is finished warping and spools back together, music appears.

———

I’ve had Ableton, my chosen music production software for barely three weeks. 

I spent the first week dipping my toes into the water, stopping my exploration when I felt frustration or confusion building, and creating little loops that made me giggle.

Then Subtronics announced a remix contest of his new song, Eyes Cut Deeper, and I knew I had to dive into the deep end. The timing felt curated. Him being the artist to offer such a thing felt divinely chosen. And the song itself is fucking perfect for me.

And so I began discovering my music-making methodology.

———

The material must be slowed, creating space for my additions.

Before anything else, I bring the original song into a bubble of my own sound. I think of holding the original inside me, like a ship in a bottle or a bug in a bubble.

I emphasize my favourite elements: vocals, strings… any orchestral sounds.

Then I look for ‘shelves’ I can build my ideas onto and off of.

More drums (I’m a big fan of stomps and slaps.)

More bass (love me a subtle, pulsing sub-bass drone.)

Bits of flair (little moments of colour and personality.)

Then begins the obsessive optimization.

———

If you’d told me less than four weeks ago when I was struggling to get Ableton to output audio, that within a month I’d have three finished remixes and a fourth that’s halfway there and knows exactly what work is needed, I’d never have believed you.

I thought making music was supposed to be hellishly difficult. Not that production is easy or that I’ve soaked up everything there is to learn in a few weeks… far from it.

But the naturalness is startling.

Flow doesn’t activate when there’s too much challenge or difficulty. Both are integral in learning, but too much prevents you from reaching the state where you just do.

Again, not easy. There’s sonic wrestling and aural headbanging aplenty.

But not enough to keep me out of flow, while still enough to keep me learning.

Never in my life full of seeking flow states have I experienced flowy flow like this.

———

The first time I played my version of Eyes Cut Deeper over my full sound setup, I couldn’t contain myself. Laughing, dancing, and bouncing with tears in my eyes.

I undeniably made the song mine… and it’s good.

Of course I’m biased, but external feedback from trusted listeners confirms. 

Plus, I know my own taste and trust my own ear enough to believe in the song.

My sound might not be everyone’s favourite beat, but neither is the original.

———

Eyes Cut Deeper (Siren Jinx Submersion) releases on Thursday, May 7th.

My first song, heading out into the world.

In all likelihood, to be heard by only a few, for now.

Such is the beginning of a journey like this.

There will be more to come.

Good Enough. Baddadan. Goddess.

Plus long-form mixes, when I can stop myself from being distracted by songs.

A new branch in the path is opening up, and music is appearing.

With love from the forest,

~ Alexander