LOVING YOUR JOY AT 0004
Photo Credit - Melissa Farias
The "Love Your Joy Lock-In" was a special weekend for us here at CNCRT. Held on August 17th and 18th at Fort Knox Studios in Chicago, we had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with PVTSTCK and Feature Form Studios. We brought together around 60 artists for a two-day session that allowed artists to create phenomenal music. The name of the event itself, "The Love Your Joy Lock-In," was a meaningful nod to the fact that, while music is our job, it’s also our passion and what brings us joy so we should have fun with it as much as we can.
The event, while being a collab with PVTSTCK & Feature Form Studios, was also put together with the help of music artist Ausar who is one of the many talented artists in our community. From the start, we wanted to create an immersive experience, setting up a "work" theme where artists weren’t just showing up to make music - they were stepping into a creative workplace. We kicked things off with an orientation video - filmed by the boss Ausar himself, and each artist got a name tag, punch card, notebook, and pencil to help set the tone for the weekend. It was a nod to the grind, but also a reminder of why we do this in the first place: for the love of the craft.
Both days were filled with non-stop creativity. From 4pm to midnight the 17th & from noon to midnight the 18th, artists and producers bounced from room to room, writing lyrics, building beats, and collaborating on songs that might not have happened if it weren’t for this space. Some had full rooms to themselves for deep creative sessions, while others worked with new faces, sparking unexpected collaborations. The producers were just as important to this process, creating the soundscapes that allowed artists to push their boundaries. A massive thank you goes out to them, as they were imperative to the success of the event as a whole.
One of the most powerful takeaways from the weekend was hearing how artists, who might never have worked together under normal circumstances, were eager to collaborate. The lock-in created an environment where they felt comfortable and open to sharing their ideas, and we were seeing the next generation of music artists in Chicago coming together before our eyes. Many of the artists commented on how this event was a unique opportunity to connect with others in the Chicago music scene, breaking down barriers and fostering collaboration that doesn’t happen every day out here.
This event wasn’t just about making music; it was about creating a space where artists could come together and be reminded of why they started in the first place. The atmosphere was filled with creative energy, and it was amazing to see so many different talents feeding off each other’s ideas, all while reinforcing the message that loving what you do makes all the difference.
In another light, it was a true reminder of what CNCRT is all about: setting the foundation, paving the way, and helping to shape a creative culture where collaboration thrives. And this weekend in Chicago, we got to see that happen in real-time. Thank you to everyone that played a part in helping this come together. There will be more in the future! Make sure to check out the incredible content captured by Carter Maggio, Melissa Farias, myself (Danny Pleckham), Chris Vergara, and Joaquin Morales on our Instagram, as well as the official YouTube recap linked below.
