Willmar-based Radio Acoustic puts a unique spin on old and new radio favorites

Nov. 29—WILLMAR

— There is just something special about singing a song with only an acoustic guitar for accompaniment. That unique vibe is what local duo

Radio Acoustic

has brought to the many stages they've performed on for nearly the last decade.

"There are a lot of really cool things you can do with the guitar," said Phil Rounsville, the guitarist for the group.

For Alina Laughlin, singing along with the Rounsville's acoustic guitar just has a good and creative feeling to it, different from performing with a larger band.

"You can be so much more versatile when we are acoustic," Laughlin said. Not only does it open up a variety of venues, but also allows Laughlin and Rounsville to create shows to fit the mood of the space and crowd. "That is what I love about us."

Radio Acoustic was created a bit by chance, back when Rounsville was looking for another musical partner after he decided to step away from the sometimes drama-filled world of big bands and instead focus on smaller groups. He had already formed an acoustic duo with another woman, but it ended up not working out.

When he needed to find a new vocal partner for an upcoming gig, Rounsville approached Laughlin, whom he knew through the crowd that would meet up regularly at Whitney Music in Willmar for jam sessions.

"It was completely on the fly, the first show," Laughlin said, with only a few days' notice.

Despite the quick turnaround, and Laughlin having little experience singing in an acoustic group, the two hit it off and have been playing together for more than nine years.

"There was an undeniable cohesion," Rounsville said. "It was magical."

Both Rounsville and Laughlin have been musical from a young age and had family who were big supporters. For Rounsville, it was his grandmother, who taught herself to play the piano using a Yamaha keyboard and inspired her grandson to do the same.

It was on that keyboard the Rounsville learned he had the talent to be able to play music by ear, instead of having to read sheet music. Rounsville is usually able to learn how to play a song after he hears it, just by piecing it together on his guitar.

"Even to this day I can't read music," Rounsville said, who has been playing guitar with various bands since he was a student at

Benson High School

.

Laughlin said it was her mother who was a major influence when Laughlin started to perform in choirs as a child. When Laughlin moved to Willmar about 15 years ago from the Twin Cities, she started getting involved with the local music scene, singing in area bands and groups.

"I dabbled around a little bit," Laughlin said, until she joined forces with Rounsville. While Radio Acoustic is her main gig, Laughlin has subbed with other bands such as Boogie Wonderland Band. "It is so much fun."

While most of the time Radio Acoustic plays at various restaurants, bars and events around the

Willmar Lakes Area

, there have been a few times over the last several years the duo has gone a little farther afield.

In late October 2016, the two took a trip to Nashville, Tennessee. At first, the duo was just going to play a few shows on the street for passing pedestrians. But then Rounsville decided to try and book Radio Acoustic an actual paying gig at one of Nashville's bars, which are famous for their live music.

"I called probably a hundred different bars," Rounsville said and was amazingly able to book not just one, but two shows. They played at Ally Taps Downtown and at Belcourt Taps. "It was a surreal experience, it was so much fun."

At one of those Nashville shows, Radio Acoustic ended up playing in front of a group of tourists from none other than Minnesota. Following the show, as Rounsville and Laughlin were walking around the area of Printers Alley, that same group of Minnesotans flagged them down to buy the duo a drink. It gave the two a taste of being a musical celebrity in Music City.

"I was like, 'this is really cool,'" Laughlin said.

A few years later, when the sporting world's eyes were fixed on Minneapolis for Super Bowl 2018, Radio Acoustic played a show at Bar Zia, located just a few blocks from U.S. Bank Stadium.

"We were their first live band they had," Rounsville said.

Those who attend a Radio Acoustic performance are treated to a set list that is truly like spinning the radio dial and seeing where you land.

The duo has been known to cover pop superstars such as Pink, Britney Spears and Katy Perry while at the same time they will bring out covers from country royalty like Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash or rock hits from artists such as Janis Joplin or the Steve Miller Band.

Laughlin said they like to do a different take on these songs, perhaps turning an electronic song into a blues tune. They want the audience to not only recognize the song, but also be surprised by how the band performs it.

"We've even pulled off Metallica," Rounsville said.

Being an acoustic group of two can have its challenges. The biggest is if someone makes a mistake, there really isn't anywhere to hide or another bandmate to pick up the slack. However, Laughlin believes the small size can also be a benefit.

"It's easier to be on the same page," instead of having to create a cohesive sound with several different people, Laughlin said. "It is easier to do something different."

Willmar area fans of the group will have their next chance to see a show at 8 p.m. Dec. 2 at Ruff's Wings and Sports Bar in Willmar. Laughlin said the group posts about upcoming shows on their Facebook page. And the duo relies on its fans to make shows successful.

"I love crowd energy, I love crowd interaction," Laughlin said. "I get all of my energy from people."

Rounsville agrees, and loves that he and Laughlin can help people forget, or at least put away for a bit, the struggles of everyday life and enjoy some good music.

"For me, it is being able to put a smile on people's faces," Rounsville said. "Seeing people react to how music can make someone feel."