Daron Malakian is a well-known musician who plays as the lead guitarist and sporadic vocalist for System of a Down, a significant California rock band that combines punk and funk with heavy metal. He frequently discusses in interviews how music changes him while he's performing. He claims that when performing live, he enters a state where he lets go of his inhibitions and self-consciousness.
The sensation Daron gets when he picks up an instrument or takes the stage is similar to entering a river where the current is so powerful that it carries you along with ease. As though his body and soul are in harmony with something outside of his control, the music comes to him without any conscious thought. Unexpected behaviors, such as stripping down while performing, can result from this impromptu creativity. This moment of abandonment perfectly encapsulates the feeling of being totally engrossed in the musical experience.
Daron, however, returns to his more subdued demeanor after leaving the stage. His shyness resurfaces in the dressing room, which appears to be a private place where only bandmates are present, and he finds it difficult to perform even basic tasks like changing clothes. It seems as though the river of music has a special current that transports him while he performs but returns him to reality and introspection afterward.
This quotation emphasizes the conflict between inhibition and creativity, implying that letting go of self-awareness and venturing into an area where lines are blurred can occasionally result in our best work. It's about seizing the opportunity when inspiration strikes, no matter how unusual or unplanned it may appear.