![Flowing Expression With Performer Devin Martin [Spotlight]](https://theelectrichawk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/thatalienflow_1702414654_3256412603517019085_6425194039.jpg)
Performance arts continues to astound us, topping off some of the greatest curations to date. Captivating audiences with jaw-dropping fire flow, performer Devin Martin and others have established their place on stage very well. Adding personality and creativity while showcasing a fearless mindset, our favorite events wouldn’t feel complete without performance arts.
Devin Martin has quickly made a name for himself as one of the most captivating US-based flow artists. After his recent appearance at Envision in Costa Rica, we couldn’t resist the opportunity to dive further into his realm. Today, we’re lucky enough to sit down with Devin and get to know his flow arts journey, inspirations, and emotion behind his incredible performances.
Khalila (Electric Hawk): Let’s kick off from the beginning. When did you start your flow arts journey and what was your first prop? Did someone or something inspire you to try flow arts?
Devin Martin: I started my flow arts journey in 2015 when I began attending music festivals. My sister first influenced me by introducing me to the community at the young age of sixteen. I was living with my sister for a while and found one of her hula hoops lying around the house, which led me to pick up my first hoop.
I picked up a few tricks and wanted to get a hoop of my own. The very first hoop I owned was an LED hoop from Walmart which cost me a few dollars. I took this hoop to my first festival, Earthdance in Florida in 2015, where I fell in love with flow arts. My hula-hoop acted as a crutch for my anxiety when I was too uncomfortable to dance. I used the hoop as a tool to join the dancefloor and shake off social anxiety.
By the end of the weekend, I had people asking me if I was a performer for the festival, which was surprising given this was my first festival and I was only sixteen.
“I found that not only did I love the feeling of flow arts, but I had an untapped talent for it.”
K: What props do you currently use? Do you have a favorite?
DM: I currently use a wide array of flow props, mostly multi-hoops and double staffs. I also own eating torches, palm torches, fire fans, fire swords, and lyco torches. My ride-or-die is multi-hooping; it was my first love and what got me into the performance world. Currently, my favorite prop to use is double staff.
K: We have to ask, what kind of music do you flow to? Any favorite artists?
DM: I’d say, my favorite artist to flow to is Detox Unit. I really like experimental electronic music when I flow, and also heavy rap music; anything with an uptempo beat and rhythm!
K: What does your flow mean to you?
“Flow means everything to me. I am eternally grateful to have found something I am so passionate about that fills my cup as much as it does. There is no greater feeling to me than successfully performing an act I’d been practicing for months, and getting to share my art at such large-scale events. There’s also no better gratification than hearing from my peers how I’ve inspired them; it fills me with so much love.”
DM: I always enjoyed entertaining even at a young age. I come from a large family of musicians, dancers, and performers, so it was no surprise that I became a performer myself. Ever since I was a child I was performing shows for my friends and family, whether in my living room or at the children’s theater. I’ve always been one to entertain others by making them laugh or uplifting them in some way. Performance art was a healthy and productive way for me to channel this passion over the years.
Flow is also an outlet for emotion and a release of energy for me. I find meditation very hard, especially having ADHD when my brain is never at rest. When I flow I find myself always able to center myself no matter what mood I was in before. I find dance and flow useful when I’m depressed, angry, happy, inspired, etc. I’ve also made some of the most meaningful connections to the people in my life by meeting them through the flow arts community.
K: A bit further into the basics. Where have you performed?
DM: I’m a returning performer at festivals like Envision, Sonic Bloom, and Hulaween. Other festivals I’ve performed at are Electric Forest, Arise Festival, Gem and Jam, Warped Horizon, and Cosmic Landing.
I perform on four performance troupes in the Denver area and hold a few residencies at local nightclubs like Tracks, Reelworks, and Temple. I’ve also performed at venues like Cervantes, The Black Box, and The Filmore. Additionally, I’ve performed at corporate events, pride events, birthday parties, parades, and even haunted houses.
K: Building off the above, is there a festival or show performance that’s stuck with you?
DM: Performing for Shpongle at The Fillmore was one of the highlights of my performance journey. I’ve been in this community for nine years now, and realize how much of an honor it was to share my art on that platform. I’m still buzzing from this event.
K: How do you prepare for your performances?
DM: When preparing for a performance, I first think about the theme and overall vibe of the act. I take into consideration the type of music/artist/event I’ll be performing at and cater my act specifically to it. At the bare minimum, I prepare myself with an entrance and an exit. Additionally, I always give myself a few choreographed combos to reference throughout the performance. If the performance is at a larger event, like Shpongle, I will choreograph the entire piece from start to finish.
For more significant acts, I run through the choreography for months until I’m comfortable with the final product. I also make sure to run it in full costume, ensuring no wardrobe malfunctions; a very important aspect I’ve recently realized.
K: As someone with stage fright, what’s it like being up there? What’s the energy like?
DM: There is no greater anxiety than the feeling I get right before I go on stage. My angle on this is to ride that anxiety and unleash the energy the second I hit the platform. I am a high-energy performer, so I release that energy in my flow.
“The feeling of being on stage, or in a flow state is meditation for me. I surrender to the energy of the crowd and music. I trust in the preparation I’ve done over the years, or in the recent months for the set.”
A good set for me really depends on the energy of the festival, club, crowd, and DJ. If I’m not feeling the music or feel a disconnect with the crowd, I find myself not really enjoying the performance. There is no better feeling in the world than when all those elements align and I have a really good set.
K: You’re a part of quite a few incredible collectives. How have they helped you grow as a performer and vice versa?
DM: Wow I love this question – performance troupes have bolstered my success in so many ways. Being surrounded by other talented artists is the easiest way for me to study and grow as a performer.
When I joined Kinetic Spinners (my first troupe) I had little to no knowledge of what really makes a performer. Being surrounded by more experienced and talented artists, I quickly learned that there is a lot more that goes into performance than the surface level. Kinetic Spinners gave me the initial boost I needed to motivate and inspire myself to create things I didn’t know I was capable of. I am so grateful for this troupe giving me the platform to create and always supporting me as an artist.
Growing Along the Way
Each troupe I joined taught me a valuable aspect or side of the performance world I had barely experienced before. For example, Luxe Entertainment taught me the Go-Go dance side of performance art. At Temple Nightclub, I perform for 15 minutes at a time, for a total of 45 minutes each night. I quickly learned the need for endurance and pace while learning the importance of stage presence, facial awareness, and dance. Ru Entertainment allowed me to tap more into my LGBTQ+ side and enjoy the sass and high energy of performance art. Being able to freely express myself and my sexuality has been a fulfilling experience.
I most recently joined Pyroglyphics, which has inspired me to create showstopping acts. Utilizing such a large and talented group of people, I found myself more inspired than ever to create visuals that are basically impossible to perform alone. With all this said, I am grateful to all leaders and coordinators for seeing something in me and giving me the platform to learn and grow. I owe my success to all of you!
K: What advice would you give to those just starting their flow arts path?
DM: Decide what you really want out of flow arts, and what you enjoy most about it – do you enjoy just dancing, connecting with a community, or aiming to perform?
There are a lot of toxic aspects that come with flow arts, such as social media and the competitiveness of performing. I think understanding what you want out of flow and being aware of this will help you avoid some of the toxic areas of flow and performance art.
When I first started flowing, it was just a way for me to dance and enjoy myself. I was influenced by my peers to start social media, which is when things began to get sticky and uncomfortable. From going to festivals and not knowing anyone – to being at festivals and feeling like there were always eyes on me, that wasn’t necessarily a positive experience. That’s something to keep in mind before you push an online presence.
Finding your Niche
When just starting, the most important thing is to find your flow! Dabble with different props until you find something you connect with. There is such a wide range of props to play with, so keep trying until you find a prop that feels right for you. Secondly, dance is key to enjoying flow or continuing as a performer. Flow is all in good fun, and should be a release or a dance for you, especially in the learning stages when it can be frustrating.
My biggest advice on pursuing yourself as a performance artist is to find a niche, something rarely done or completely new to you. I was brought on as a performer before I knew the basics, and that’s because I did something I created myself. Create a new look, vibe, style, prop, or anything that puts you aside from the pack. Additionally, I wish I was told earlier that stage presence is everything. ALWAYS have an entrance and exit, and never walk normally on and off stage. And always have an interesting outfit, never wear normal clothes.
K: Well, we’d like to thank you for letting us and our audience get to know you and your performance arts career. Any words to close out?
“I appreciate the opportunity to share my experience. I had fun analyzing my own journey and hope this info may be helpful or inspiring to others.”
– Devin Martin
Already stunning audiences across the nation, performer Devin Martin is just getting started. From self-discovery to growing with his peers, to inspiring others on their flow arts journey, his contribution to the community doesn’t go unnoticed. Keep an eye out for Devin at your upcoming festivities and don’t forget to check out the incredible troupes shaping our flow arts community.
Cover image by Spooky Shutter.
Keep up with Devin Martin
Instagram | Kinetic Spinners | Luxe Entertainment | Pyroglyphics | Ru Entertainment
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