On this episode of 608 Soundcheck, I'm joined by The Lavender Project for a conversation about their music, their creative process, and life as an independent band.

We dive into the band's record released last year, what's next for the group, what touring looks like for a smaller DIY band, and the realities of creating and sharing music in today's scene. Along the way, we also get into songwriting, local music, and plenty of stories from the road.

Whether you're already a fan of The Lavender Project or just enjoy hearing musicians talk about their craft, there's something here for you.

Listen now, and don't forget to follow 608 Soundcheck for more conversations with artists from across the Midwest music scene.

In this episode of the 608 Soundcheck, I sit down with singer-songwriter Allison Sky to talk about her musical journey, her battle with chronic Lyme disease, and how songwriting has helped her navigate some of life's toughest challenges. Allison shares how music became both an outlet and a source of hope during difficult times, and how she hopes her songs can encourage others to keep moving forward through their own struggles. We also take a deep dive into her debut EP, Behind This Smile, released on May 1. The project explores themes of resilience, perseverance, and finding light in the midst of hardship, drawing heavily from Allison's personal experiences living with chronic illness. Along the way, we discuss her creative process, the local music scene, and her goals as a self-described "pop folk" artist performing throughout the La Crosse area and beyond.

In this episode of the 608 Soundcheck, I sit down with Sam Gauthier, a certified health coach specializing in creativity, to talk about her work and journey in the La Crosse creative community. Sam offers a variety of services at The Art House including vocal lessons, creativity coaching, and live music performances. We also dive into some of the unique events she hosts, like The Listening Room, a free-form open mic experience where people can share their creative endeavors and receive feedback, and Soundscapes, a sound healing program designed to help people resonate more deeply with themselves, their peers, and the world around them. Sam shares how her journey began, why she loves what she does, and how we can all benefit from learning to love ourselves throughout our creative journeys.