Rising from the shadows of late-night shifts and sleepless routines, Mindslash has carved a sound that channels discipline, frustration and raw emotion into pulsating techno. His debut EP on Set About captures that duality – balancing peak-time energy with melodic depth – while staying rooted in the everyday textures and rhythms that inspire him. From transforming the hum of machines into hypnotic grooves to building a community through his Technogenix events, Mindslash is shaping a voice in the Bulgarian techno scene that feels both grounded and expansive.
Nightshift’ was directly inspired by your experience working nightshifts – how did that period of your life shape not just this track, but your approach to music overall?
Working nightshifts taught me discipline and how to channel frustration into something creative. It wasn’t just the inspiration for “Nightshift” the whole routine of long nights and odd hours made me value every spare moment in the studio. It gave my music a darker, more driven energy and made me approach production as an outlet as much as a craft.
You turned the everyday sounds of fridges, cashier beeps and machines into techno. Do you often look for inspiration in unconventional places?
Definitely. I’m always paying attention to sounds around me: street noise, machines, conversations. Sometimes a random beep or texture can spark an idea for a rhythm or atmosphere. It keeps things fresh and makes the music feel connected to real life instead of just the studio.
‘Embrace’ shows a more reflective, melodic side of your sound. How important is duality – rawness versus emotion – in your artistic identity?
That duality is at the core of what I do. Techno is about energy and rawness, but I’ve always felt it should also move you emotionally. Tracks like “Embrace” let me explore that melodic, reflective side without losing the drive. Blending the two is what makes my sound feel honest and alive.
This EP marks your debut on Set About. What does joining this label mean for you at this stage in your career?
For me it’s a real milestone. Only about a year after starting my journey in music production, I’ve managed to release on one of my favorite labels. Set About has always been a source of inspiration, so joining their roster at this stage feels like a huge step forward and a sign I’m on the right path.
Your sets have lit up venues like Yalta and Plazma and even ship parties through Technogenix. How does performing live influence the way you produce in the studio?
Seeing people enjoy my music on the dance floor is the most incredible feeling for me, and it’s one of my main sources of inspiration. Playing live shows me how certain moments hit a crowd, and I carry that energy back into the studio. It pushes me to create tracks that not only sound good but really connect with people.
You founded the Technogenix event series, creating a community around your vision. What do you think makes the Bulgarian techno scene unique right now?
What really makes the Bulgarian techno scene stand out right now is the passion of the people. Crowds here give everything on the dance floor and support the artists with so much energy. That vibe makes every event feel intense and special, including Technogenix.
Your sound blends peak-time energy with melodic and psy-trance elements. Was there a turning point where you felt you had truly found “your” sound?
It didn’t happen overnight. I spent a lot of time experimenting with different ideas until I realised the tracks that felt most “me” always had that peak-time drive mixed with melodic and even psy-trance touches. There wasn’t one single track that did it, it was more a moment of recognising, “this is what I love doing,” and leaning fully into it.
You cite Boris Brejcha as an influence, but your music has a very distinct voice. How do you balance inspiration from others with staying true to your originality?
I take a lot of inspiration from artists like Boris Brejcha, especially their ability to build a world of their own. But I don’t try to copy their sound. I use that inspiration as fuel to push my own ideas further, experiment and stay true to what I actually love. That way the influence is there, but the result still feels like me.
What’s been the most challenging moment in your journey so far and how has it pushed you forward as an artist?
The hardest part has been keeping my focus through personal struggles and self-doubt. There were moments where it would have been easier to stop, but music was always the thing that kept me going. Pushing through those challenges taught me discipline and gave my sound a deeper emotional edge — it’s a big part of why I make music the way I do now.
If you had to describe the message behind ‘Nightshift’ in one sentence to someone who has never heard your music, what would you say?
“Nightshift” is about turning frustration and sleepless nights into energy and freedom on the dance floor.
Mindslash – Nightshift EP is out now on Set About: https://ffm.to/sa324
