La Crosse Local

You’re hearing Settle, by the local band Knee-High July, we chatted with them today and talked about the origins of the band, influences, the creation of the unique name and we’ll be listening to "Back Porch Light" one of their earliest collaborations and songs, plus how they are adapting to covid-19 and live music. https://www.facebook.com/KneeHighJuly/ You can find more conversations on our webs...

Today we chatted with trumpet player Jamal Mayfield of The Mayfield Experience, Jamal shares his experience growing up and finding music and his process in adapting modern music for an urban jazz quartet. Jamal shares his influences, and what’s on the horizon for The Mayfield Experience. https://www.facebook.com/MayfieldExperiment/ You can find more conversations on our website: https://lacrosselo...

Jennifer Jones paints LARGE, she shares the origin of her recent exhibition Big Dogs: Large Stories, and why she enjoys working on large canvas. She also shares how instruction has informed her work, her experiences with art consultation, exhibiting work, and what’s next. Learn more http://jenfishjones.com/ ! You can find more conversations on our website: https://lacrosselocal.com/ .

Today we are chatting with Winghaven Pizza Farm, based out of Galesville, Wisconsin. This Pizza Farm is a short drive from La Crosse and a great destination when you want to pack the car with the fam and head out for some pizza and some nature in your backyard. Learn more https://www.winghavenpizzafarm.com/ ! You can find more conversations on our website: https://lacrosselocal.com/ .

Dayne Stevens is a local artist working in marker, colored pencil, and wood blocks. Recently, expressive portraits and characters have been filling his time, Dayne shares how his drawings portray a mix of emotion, and how those emotions have been a big part of his life in recent years. https://www.instagram.com/daynestevens_art You can find more conversations on our website: https://lacrosselocal....

Jean Pagliaro is the Program and Retreat Coordinator for the Franciscan Spirituality Center, Jean shares her beginnings and how she ended up at the Center. She shares the importance of quiet reflection and touches on the many offerings at the center including sound bowls, silent retreats, labyrinth walks, meditation, and the many virtual experiences they offer as well. https://www.fscenter.org/ Yo...

We are talking to musician Chad Staehly, Chad shares his experience playing, producing and touring with some well known names, including Hard Working Americans, Todd Snider, and Great American Taxi. We also get into what to expect from an upcoming Drive-In Show celebrating the Anniversary of the La Crosse Distilling Company and featuring The High Hawks. https://www.facebook.com/thehighhawks You ca...

Tracy Balzer, local DJ and improv actor, talks about her origins with comedy and what led her to improv with the troupe Heart of La Crosse. Tracy hits on anticipating the next step in a sketch and working with a cast of creative characters, she also identifies a few who surprise her the most when in the bit. https://www.facebook.com/heartoflacrosse/ You can find more conversations on our website:...

Local TV host and actor Dustin Luecke, is a big supporter and participant of Community Theatre, he shares his process when preparing for a role, his most enjoyable experience on stage and gives advice for beginners bitten by the acting bug. https://dustinontv.com/ You can find more conversations on our website: https://lacrosselocal.com/ .

The new satirical newspaper La Crosse Times, offers a much needed comedic alternative to the news in the Coulee Region. At the helm is Sam Shilts, he talks with us about his beginning, comedy, and how this newspaper's comedic stories sometimes fly over the heads of a few readers and what makes for an interesting headline in our community. https://lacrossetimes.news/ You can find more conversations...

Shannon Given is the Event Coordinator for the annual arts and cultural festival, Artspire. Shannon shares with us her experience turning a normally all-in-person music and arts festival into a virtual event for 2020 and shared some exciting news for the 2021 festival. I’m Amy and he’s Brent and this is La Crosse Local. https://artspire.thepumphouse.org/ You can find more conversations on our webs...

Eric Timmons is with the newly formed La Crosse Independent, it's a new news outlet for the Coulee region. Eric explains how he got into journalism and what was the impetus for this “People Powered News” site. Eric discusses the need for an alternative news source, one which has been already touching on some heavy topics in the area and nationwide. https://lacrosseindependent.com/ You can find mor...

Local photographer, Jason Stuempges talks with us about his influences, how he sets up a shot, and how he got started behind the camera. Jason shares his early experiences with photography and what’s next for this area photographer. https://www.facebook.com/jasonrayphotography/ You can find more conversations on our website: https://lacrosselocal.com/ .

Today we chatted with Crickett Lochner, owner of Driftless Music Gardens. Crickett shared how she got started putting on music festivals at this “natural amphitheater”, and how they have adapted to music events during Covid. Normally hosting People Fest and the Bonfire Music & Arts Festival they have moved into a Drive-In Concert Series to keep themselves, the audience, and the bands safe. https:/...

Kelly Sexton is a local poet, publisher, and editor. Kelly fills us in on the newly formed Quail Press, and her role as the Editor in Chief for Anarcho Welfare Press out of Madison, WI. Kelly has also published a number of books of poetry and even shares a poem with us today. http://www.vegetarianalcoholicpress.com/titles/vodka-mountain-by-kelly-sexton You can find more conversations on our websit...

Shane Lamb is the owner, potter, and teacher at the La Crosse Clay Center. The Center is part gallery, part studio, and part education center. Shane shares his past and process of starting the business, he also touches on his process when creating new pottery and his teaching philosophy when offering workshops and classes. https://lacrosseclaycenter.com/ You can find more conversations on our webs...

We are chatting with Scott Cheek, an area painter. Scott shares how he got into art, the current La Crosse arts scene and why his work touches on a variety of social issues. His themes also refer to celebrity, pop culture, rap music and he even works on a variety of “canvases” from walls, shoes, hats, and whatever else he can get his hands on. https://www.instagram.com/gscottcheek/ You can find mo...

Two of the founders of Fat Porcupine Noodle Bar are Brie Thompson and Peter Beard. They share with us the origins of the name, why they all decided to relocate to La Crosse, Wisconsin, what their philosophy is with food and how they are moving forward with a brand new restaurant in a pandemic. https://www.facebook.com/fatporcupinenoodlebar/ You can find more conversations on our website: https://l...

Comic and author, Lisa David Olson, talks with us about improv, stand up and sketch comedy, and how she uses humor in everyday life. Lisa recently started a new podcast called Stranger Connections and self published “Laughs On Wry; an improviser's memoir”. We connect with Lisa on family heartache, finding a comedic voice and what is next for Lisa. http://www.lisadavidolson.com/ You can find more c...

We chatted today with Andrew Hughes of the well known ska/reggae band TUGG and his newer americana band “Andy Hughes and the Mighty Few” inspired by the likes of John Prine and others. Andy talks about “Heartland and Heartache” released in 2017 as a solo project, and the follow up “Songs for Sunday” he released in 2019 with his band. http://andyhughesmusic.com/ You can find more conversations on o...

Maria Norberg started Apothik Food Truck, born out of an accident while building a new restaurant, the Food Truck sprang to life with the support from the public hungry for quality food and local ingredients. Maria shares the origin of the Truck, buying a new building with a larger kitchen and where they are headed now. https://eatapothik.square.site/ You can find more conversations on our website...

Connie Minowa is an artist based out of Viroqua, Wisconsin, and is also well known for being a LIVE painter and member of the acclaimed band Cloud Cult. Connnie discusses how she grew up, losses, and what led her to a life of creativity. Her work explores the spiritual, emotions, and the natural environment in one's journey. She touches on living a creative life, the Earthology Institute, and what...

Local entrepreneur Matt Boshcka, tells us about his past and what set the stage for his foray into business, being a restaurateur, and exploring new fields including Cannabis and CBD. Matt has always been inspired to push the edge in exploring business and community involvement, and has opened a number of businesses in the area including Dublin Square, Valley High Golf Club, David Reay's, CannaBiz...

Matt Monsoor has been playing in one band or another throughout the La Crosse area for a number of years. For the last couple years he’s gone solo, his live shows incorporate unique theatrics, a variety of instruments, and recent covers of Shel Silverstein set to music. You may also find him delving into photography, building furniture, and exploring animation and videography. https://www.facebook...

Today we are chatting with Brent Martinson of the Turtle Stack Brewery, Brent shares his path to becoming a brewer and a brewery owner. From his beginning passion for homebrewing to getting experience under his belt with the pros; and ultimately returning to La Crosse to get Turtle Stack Brewery started. We find out what’s new, why he feels he is a traditionalist when making brewing decisions and...