Inside the Peak-Time Madness with Mindslash

We had a chat with the Bulgarian hotshot about his latest pile driver on Set About, how he goes about blending peak-time energy with melodic elements and lots more.

Techno is a genre that lives through energy and emotion. The greater the intensity, the deeper the connection, the stronger the track; and Bulgarian talent Mindslash has mastered this equation with his signature approach. Born and raised in the southern city of Plovdiv, Mindslash’s fascination with dance music began early, but it was at sixteen that he truly began to take it seriously.

This was when he honed the art of DJing and built his unique Technogenix event series, a community that was built around his creative vision, curating everything from 12-hour raves to one-of-a-kind ship parties. That same energy with which he continues to deliver behind the decks has now evolved into a powerful production identity, one that’s beginning to resonate far beyond Bulgaria’s borders.

This sonic identity and evolution of his has been testified with his debut on Set About Records with the ‘Nightshift’ EP. The two-track release distills raw techno power into pure, late-night energy. It’s a reflection of his relentless drive and a showcase of his evolving artistry, which captures the duality of hypnotic and emotional sound.

The ‘Nightshift’ EP brings another career highlight to Mindslash’s journey that has already seen him establish himself as a force within Bulgaria’s vibrant techno movement. As he sees 2026 on the horizon and is ready to capture even more minds and dancefloors worldwide, we sat with him for a chat about his debut EP on Set About Records, the creative process behind the release, how he balances emotion and power in his productions, his future plans, and much more.

TFword: Congratulations on your debut release on Set About! How did the connection with the label first come about?
MINDSLASH: Thank you! It’s honestly a big moment for me. Set About has always been a label I respect a lot, so having my debut there means a lot. The connection happened quite naturally — I’ve been following their releases for a long time and felt like my sound was evolving in a direction that would fit their vision. After finishing a few tracks I really believed in, I decided to send them over, and luckily they connected with the vibe right away. From there, everything moved smoothly and professionally. It felt like the right match.

TF: The title track, ‘Nightshift,’ is inspired by your time working late shifts, and even includes real sounds from that environment. Can you walk us through how that idea came together in the studio?
MINDSLASH: Yeah, that track is really personal to me. I used to work a lot of late shifts, and during those hours, I’d always have music in my head. One night I started recording real sounds from my workplace — the machines, the cash desk, little mechanical clicks. Later in the studio, I already had the groove laid down, and I started designing and processing those recordings to fit perfectly into it. I wanted them to blend in rhythmically but still keep their raw character, so they’d give the track a unique identity. That way, ‘Nightshift’ became more than just a track — it’s literally built from a piece of my real life.

TF: It’s impressive that you crafted ‘Nightshift’ in a single 10-hour session. What was that process like? Did it feel more like therapy or artistic instinct taking over?
MINDSLASH: It honestly felt amazing. I hadn’t been able to get into the studio for almost a month because of my work schedule, so when I finally sat down, everything just exploded out of me. I didn’t overthink anything — it was pure instinct. I got into a deep flow state and locked in for 10 hours straight. It felt less like working on a track and more like finally being able to breathe again. That session reminded me why I love making music so much.

TF: On the flip side, ‘Embrace’ feels more reflective and melodic. What does that track represent for you emotionally compared to the raw intensity of ‘Nightshift’?
MINDSLASH: Exactly — ‘Embrace’ came from a completely different place emotionally. While ‘Nightshift’ is all about raw energy and breaking out of the routine, ‘Embrace’ is more reflective. It’s that moment after the storm, when you stop fighting everything around you and just accept where you are. The melodies came very naturally — it felt softer, more emotional, almost like I was talking to myself through the music. For me, it’s about finding a sense of peace in the chaos.

TF: How was it like working with the Set About team through this process? Did their feedback or approach influence the final direction of the EP?
MINDSLASH: Working with the Set About team was a really smooth and professional experience. They really know what they’re doing and have a clear vision of their sound. At one point, they suggested removing some vocal phrases that I actually really loved. At first, I wasn’t sure, but I took some time to think about it and realized they were right — their vision made the track even stronger and more focused. I really respect that kind of input. It felt like a true collaboration where both sides care about the final result.

TF: Your productions blend peak-time energy with melodic and psy-trance inflections? Where does that hybrid approach stem from?
MINDSLASH: Honestly, it’s not something I plan. I just do what I love and what I feel in the moment. I’ve always been drawn to peak-time energy, but I also love emotional and melodic elements, and sometimes even psy-trance textures. When I’m in the studio, those influences just come out naturally without me thinking too much about it. It’s more about energy and feeling than strategy. That mix is simply my way of expressing myself.

TF: When starting a new track, what’s your typical workflow like? Do you start with drums, a melody, or a concept?
MINDSLASH: It’s always different for me. I like to keep it natural and not force a specific formula. Most of the time, I start with the groove — that’s what sets the energy and direction of the track. But there are also a lot of moments when I have a melody stuck in my head, and I build everything around that. I just follow whatever inspires me the most in that moment.

TF: Do you see your tracks as more of a storytelling medium or an energy-driven experience for the dancefloor?
MINDSLASH: That’s a really good question. For me, it’s both, but at the core, my music is a way to express myself. I love creating tracks that represent my feelings — sometimes it’s a story from a trip, sometimes it’s just a very specific emotion I’m going through. Those are the tracks that mean the most to me. Honestly, I often get nervous about releasing them, because they’re so personal and I never know how people will react. But I guess that’s what makes it real.

TF: Who were your biggest musical influences growing up, and how have they evolved as your sound matured?
MINDSLASH: In the beginning, I was never really into mainstream music. I was always searching for something different, something that hit deeper. One of my biggest inspirations was Boris Brejcha — not just his music, but his whole story and how he built his own style from nothing. Over time, my sound evolved and I started drawing inspiration from many artists, especially from the peak-time and melodic techno scene. I’m also really inspired by the energy and melodies of Cosmic Boys. As I grow as a producer, I take little bits of inspiration from different places, but always stay true to my own feeling and vision.

TF: You’ve become an important name in Bulgaria’s techno landscape. How would you describe the scene there today compared to when you first started?
MINDSLASH: Honestly, I don’t really see myself as an ‘important’ name in the Bulgarian scene. I’m just doing what I love and giving everything I have to it. But if I have to be real, I don’t think the scene is growing — at least not in the club culture. The techno clubs are slowly dying, and what’s really growing are just the big festivals. It feels like the intimate underground vibe is fading away, and that’s sad to see. Club culture is what builds real communities and movements, so watching it disappear bit by bit is hard. I really hope it finds a way to rise again.

TF: Through your event concept, Technogenix, you’ve helped build a real community. What was your vision behind starting it, and how has it evolved over time?
MINDSLASH: Technogenix was born from a simple idea — to create something real, something that goes beyond just a party. I wanted to build a movement, a space where people who truly love this music can connect and feel free. In the beginning, it was just about bringing good artists and throwing raves, but over time it became much more than that. It turned into a community — people who share the same energy and mindset. Seeing that connection grow is what keeps me pushing forward with it.

TF: ‘Nightshift’ feels like a personal and artistic milestone. How do you see this release shaping your journey going forward?
MINDSLASH: To be honest, I don’t really know yet. But I do feel like this release is a big step for me — not just because it’s on a label I respect, but because it’s so personal. ‘Nightshift’ carries a piece of my story, so having it out in the world feels special. I don’t know exactly where it will lead, but I’m excited to see how this moment shapes what’s next.

TF: What kind of message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from this EP?
MINDSLASH: I hope people can feel the emotions behind it — not just hear the music. For me, this EP represents a period of my life filled with struggle, long nights, and chasing something bigger than myself. I want listeners to connect with that energy in their own way, to feel both the darkness and the hope inside it. If someone out there relates to even a small part of that, then the EP has done its job.

TF: What can we expect next from Mindslash – more releases, collaborations, or maybe even expansion of the Technogenix brand?
MINDSLASH: You can definitely expect a lot of new original tracks and some really exciting collaborations with artists I respect a lot. But the biggest thing coming is that we’re launching a label together with my close friends Shadowmaw and Bultech. It’s something we’ve been working on behind the scenes for a while, and I’m really excited about it. I won’t say too much just yet — but when the time comes, it’s going to be something special.

TF: Finally, if you could describe the next chapter of your sound in three words, what would they be?
MINDSLASH: Different. Energetic. Powerful.

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