Flow State: A creative’s retreat

What happens when you put five talented producers in a New Orleans house filled with instruments, synths, and creative tools they normally wouldn’t have access to? Flow State happens.

Watch the mini documentary that captures the magic of collaboration, community, and creativity at its purest.

From Loyola University to Flow State

Through long time partners Loyola University in New Orleans, we hosted Bayou Beats & Soul, a hip-hop and R&B summit on campus in September 2024. There, we met Raney, a professor of hip-hop and R&B in Loyola’s music tech program, as well as a talented producer and musician with deep ties to the music community.

Raney not only brings a sharp musical skillset but also a gift for building community. He recognises the importance of balance, wellness, and self-care in the creative process.

When Raney approached us with the idea of capturing a house full of producers making music together, we jumped at the chance. What started as a small idea quickly evolved into a full creative retreat. Hosted in a unique New Orleans home, the house itself, steeped in the city’s spirit, became a character in the story and a catalyst for creativity.

An invitation to be inspired

You won’t find technical tutorials here. Instead, you’ll discover inspiring, bite-sized glimpses into the lives and processes of five top-tier producers. The video highlights:

• The importance of community in music-making
• Quiet moments of reflection alongside collaborative breakthroughs
• The joy of sharing a creative space and elevating one another’s work

Come and build a connection with these producers as though you’re in the room and see that community and balance are just as important as gear and technique.

At its core, Flow State was born from collaboration. This project wouldn’t have been possible without the vision and community-building of Raney and his company 22rivrs, who helped shape the retreat into something greater than the sum of its parts. Together with Focusrite and our family of brands, the retreat became a space where tools and talent came together to fuel creativity, connection, and transformation.

Watch as the story unfolds

Flow State is about more than music; it’s about people, connection, and the creative spark that happens when community comes together.