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.

Tonight, on The Sound we bring you the debut album by Ryan Howe, titled Origin.  A Winona State Alumni Based out of La Crescent, MN, Ryan Howe is a local favorite of ours here at the station and beyond. This album is full of heartfelt love ballads and gripping instrumentals! The singer/songwriter started playing the piano some 25 years ago and can be found playing at venues all across the driftless, and in an Emmy award winning documentary. Tonight, we had the chance to talk with Ryan about the album, and the stories behind it. I’m Annika Bakkum-Ekern sayin’ get up, get down, and get ready for Ryan Howe, Origin, tonight on The Sound.

Original air date: 10/15/25

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 get into the latest album from Minneapolis artist Humbird, titled: Astrovan: The Love Vignettes. Humbird is an modern folk rock band serving up some rocking tunes, with an old sound. The band is made up of several talented artists, with Siri Undilin as the lead singer. They have released several albums spanning nearly a decade, and the hits keep coming with their latest release, "Astrovan: The Love Vignettes". This album is full of 11 short songs, all around the theme of love, giving a short but enjoyable listening experience full of heart. I’m Annika Bakkum-Ekern saying sit back, relax and enjoy the sweet sounds of the soul, as we listen to 'Astrovan: The Love Vignettes' by Humbird, tonight on The Sound.

Original air date: 08/06/25
 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 get into the latest album from local Winona band Afflatus, titled: Painted Turtle. Afflatus is an alternative band made up of several talented local artists, taking the driftless by storm with their music and mission. They have released several albums over the last decade, and the hits keep coming with their latest release, "Painted Turtle". The group's sound have filled this album with sounds from the driftless, giving an appreciation the the nature that surrounds us. I’m Annika Bakkum-Ekern saying sit back, kick back and enjoy the sweet sounds of nature, as we listen to 'Painted Turtle' by Afflatus, tonight on The Sound. Original air date: 07/30/25 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 bring you Forgiveness, the latest album from Winona artist, Blunt Blade. This new album from Blunt Blade combines so many different genres and sounds it’ll make your head spin! But in a fun way, it’s a good thing, just don’t get too dizzy, maybe sit down if you do. So, if you like music, there’s bound to be something on this album for you! From progressive, to rock to electronic, to the ends of the earth and to the moon and beyond!... I’m Bill Stoneberg saying get ready for Winona’s own, Blunt Blade with their newest album titled Forgiveness, tonight on The Sound.

Original air date: 06/11/25.
 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 bring you Plain American from the band Ruben straight outta Stillwater MN! Plain American was released back in 2023 but it is such a damn good album that when the opportunity to talk about it came up, we just had to feature it on The Sound. I honestly don’t know how this release slipped by me for over a year, but it did. And if it slipped by you as well, then you are in for a real treat because this record is the sh*t! It is so darned good that I’m not sure I can describe it at all. It’s groovy, that much is true, and it rocks… oh! And the vocals are stellar! Like super stellar. And then there’s the songwriting, and the Sound omg the sound!... speaking of which, lets get this show on the road so you can hear the album for yourself and let Ruben tell ya all about it! Whew! So here we go folks, strap yourself in, and keep your limbs inside the vehicle at all times, because we are in for a rock n roll trip as we take you through Plain American, the latest album from Ruben, tonight on The Sound.

Original air date: 06/04/25.
 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 get into the latest EP from Minnesota artists Maygen and the Birdwatcher, titled: Leap Year. Maygen and the Birdwatcher are an Americana folk/rock group of six talented artists, blessing the ears of every town they tour. They have released several albums since their debut of "Moonshine" in 2021, and the hits keep coming with their latest release, "Leap Year". The group's sound fill this album with a sense of hope and longing, with some gut wrenching and heart lifting tunes. I’m Annika Bakkum-Ekern saying sit back, kick back and get ready to get out your binoculars, as we listen to "Leap Year' by Maygen and the Birdwatcher, tonight on The Sound.

Original air date: 04/02/25.
 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 check out the debut EP Porch Light by the Minnesota based band Porch light. Starting in the Summer of 2024, they have quickly come together with a mission to break the barriers in the indie work and provide authenitc and raw proformances with a bit of a basement feel. In the band there’s Zac Fogarty on guitar, Jackie Uhas on vocals, Henry Hughes on bass, Kyle Siemon on guitar, and Isaiah Trimbo on the drums, but tonight we have Kyle, Zac, Henry, and Jackie talking with us today in studio to chat about their love of playing and how they plan on not stopping anytime soon. With teasing new songs they have yet to release and plan to play during their first tour this June, they’re Minnesota’s new up and coming band, according to me. I’m Elly Herrick telling you to turn it up and tune in as we give you a glimpse of Porch light’s debut EP, tonight on the sound. 

Original Air Date: 05/14/25
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 bring you Cyber Sunday from Minneapolis recording artist, Future Babel. Cyber Sunday came out in March of 2025 and did not disappoint. Armed with fistfuls of digital ear candy, Future Babel twists up genres like a tornado in a cotton candy factory. From rock to pop to anit-pop to hyper pop, to rocktronic to punktronic to hiphoppoptronic… whew, that’s a lot. I’m Bill Stoneberg sayin’ put on yer future goggles and get ready to take a little trip with Minneapolis’s own, Future Babel and their new album, Cyber Sunday, tonight, on The Sound.

Original air date: 05/28/25.
 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 bring you the latest album by Gregg Hall & the Wrecking Ball, titled Live at First Avenue. And yes, as the title indicates, it is a live album recorded at First Avenue in Minneapolis. If you’ve ever seen Gregg Hall  & The Wrecking Ball live, then you know that we’re in for a treat. Based out of La Crosse WI, Gregg Hall & The Wrecking Ball are local favorites; they’re a hell of a band and they  always put on a hell of a show! This album is full of heartfelt and hard lived stories, along with some tender moments and some real barn burners! And from the way it sounds, they really lit it up at First Avenue! But don’t worry, it’s still standin’ from what I hear. I’m Bill Stoneberg sayin’ get up, get down, and get ready for Gregg Hall & the Wrecking Ball and they’re new album, LIVE at First Avenue, tonight on The Sound.

Original air date: 04/16/25.
 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.