Tonight, on The Sound we get into “Just Fine,” the latest album from Winona’s own Jet Hertz. From relationships, phases of life, , collabs, getting out of comfort zones, and running around the house like an airplane, Jet fills us in on it all. So if you are ready to enter the creative world of Jet Hertz, buckle up, because we’re gonna take you for a ride, with Just Fine, the latest album from Winona’s own Jet Hertz, tonight on The Sound.

Original air date: 06/17/26.
The Sound is written and produced by KQAL 89.5FM on the campus of Winona State University.
The Sound is made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Tonight, on The Sound we get down with local darlings Charlieboy. Based out of Winona, MN and LaCrosse, WI, this four piece keeps bringing it with every new release and their latest, Creature is no exception, except, that it IS pretty exceptional… hmmmm, I gotta think about that. Well while I figure out some semantics, you should stick around and check out this episode of The Sound featuring Charlieboy’s latest release, Creature.

With elements of Bedroom pop, dreampop, reggae, indie rock, and more Charlieboy continues to evolve in their songwriting and recording techniques, stretching boundaries as they go… and it is soooo good!!

So, find a comfy spot, kick back and relax, and prepare for an auditory journey as we get into Creature, the latest release from Charlieboy, tonight on The Sound.

Original air date: 06/10/26.
The Sound is written and produced by KQAL 89.5FM on the campus of Winona State University.
The Sound is made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Tonight, on The Sound we check out “Bloom,” the latest album from area favorites, The Lavender Project. Based in Winona, MN and LaCrosse, WI these guys should be no strangers to our listeners. They tear it up every year here at Mid West Music Fest with their spacey jams and tasty rhymes. Are they hip hop? Are they a jam band? Are they indie rock? Are they jazz? I’m Bill Stoneberg and if these are questions that you’d like to know the answer to, then stick around as we take you through Bloom, the latest release from The Lavender Project, tonight on The Sound.

Original air date: 05/20/26.
The Sound is written and produced by KQAL 89.5FM on the campus of Winona State University.
The Sound is made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Tonight, on The Sound we check out “Behind This Smile,” the latest release from singer songwriter Allison Sky. Based in La Crosse WI, Allison has been connecting with audiences through her down to earth, relatable songwriting. Full of heartfelt tunes that might tug on your heartstrings a little, and maybe even make you feel like you’re not alone, and that just maybe, someone out there understands.

I’m Kristine Osorio, saying get cozy and get ready to meet the woman behind the music as KQAL’s Annika Bakkum-Ekern and I get into “Behind This Smile” with artist Allison Sky, tonight on The Sound.

Original air date: 05/06/26.
The Sound is written and produced by KQAL 89.5FM on the campus of Winona State University.
The Sound is made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Tonight, on The Sound we hang out with the boys from Whitetail. With members in both MN and WI, Whitetail is sure to become a regional favorite as they get ready to drop their second release. Tonight, we sit down with Whitetail to check out a few tunes from their first EP, titled, Another Day, and a few new tunes from their upcoming album. These local boys write tunes that are perfect for blowing off some steam at the end of a hard day or just cruisin’ thru the countryside. No matter whichever fits your fancy, I’d recommend stickin around a while to find out more about this cool new band. I’m Bill Stoneberg sayin’ kick yer boots off, put yer feet up and grab your favorite beverage as we take you through the twists and turns that is Whitetail: Another Day, right here tonight, on The Sound.

Original air date: 05/29/26.
The Sound is written and produced by KQAL 89.5FM on the campus of Winona State University.
The Sound is made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Tonight, on The Sound we touch base with Winona band, The Reach Outs to double-click their newest EP, Working Hard Or Hardly Working. With action item corporate faves like Don’t You Micromanage Me, Let’s Touch Base, and Work From Home, The Reach Out’s are moving the needle as they take a deep dive into the corporate world. They aren’t reinventing the wheel here, but they just might break down some silos, as long as they don’t get too far in the weeds. Whatever you do, don’t put this album on the back burner because it is destined to become a game changer! So, whatever you’re doing right now, put a pin in it so we can loop you in on Working Hard Or Hardly Working, the latest release from Winona’s own, The Reach Outs. I’m Bill Stoneberg saying, “if you’ve got the bandwidth, get ready to pivot as we drill down into The Reach Outs latest, Working Hard or Hardly Working and run it up the flagpole, tonight on The Sound.

Original air date: 04/15/26.
The Sound is written and produced by KQAL 89.5FM on the campus of Winona State University.
The Sound is made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Tonight, on The Sound we bring you some holiday joy with the latest album from locals H30 Jazz Trio, called Combo Carols. Combo Carols consists of 13 original mashups of holiday favorites with jazz standards to get you in the holiday spirit. Bandleader Eric Heukeshoven, otherwise known as “dad,” to members Max and Hans, has a great story behind the creation of these holiday mashups but I’ll let him tell you about that. And a trio may only have three members, but that doesn't mean that the Haukeshoven’s are the only players on this album, there are appearances by a host of local talent whose names you might recognize, including one Snooky Larson (wink wink). Well enough of my ramblings, let’s get into some holiday mashups, or as I like to call them, future classics! I’m Bill Stoneberg, saying grab a hot beverage and cozy up to the radio like its 1935 as we bring you H30 Jazz Trio’s album, Combo Carols, tonight on The Sound.

Original air date: 12/24/25.
The Sound is written and produced by KQAL 89.5FM on the campus of Winona State University.
The Sound is made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Tonight, on The Sound we dive into the newly released singles from the upcoming album of Minnesota artists Maygen and the Birdwatcher, titled: The Americana Dream. Maygen and the Birdwatcher are an Americana folk/rock group of six talented artists, with artists Maygen Lacey and Noah Neumann at the helm. They have released several albums since their debut of "Moonshine" in 2021, and the hits keep coming with their upcoming October 10th release, "The Americana Dream". The group's sound fill this album with a bunch of boot stomping and gut-wrenching songs. I’m Annika Bakkum-Ekern saying sit back, kick back and get ready to listen to "The Americana dream' by Maygen and the Birdwatcher, tonight on The Sound.

Original air date: 05/21/25.
The Sound is written and produced by KQAL 89.5FM on the campus of Winona State University.
The Sound is made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.