Local Spins spotlights the emerging trio – part of this week’s Halloween edition of the Michigan Music Showcase radio podcast featuring creepy as well as new tracks from Mitten State artists.
Lost Swimmer: From left, Josh Hoisington, Courtney Kaiser-Sandler and Marc Lacuesta. (Courtesy Photos)
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The storied Interlochen Center for the Arts not surprisingly has spawned a who’s who legion of internationally acclaimed musicians and artists.
But the northern Michigan institution also has inspired some unique musical collaborations among its talented faculty.
Such is the case with Lost Swimmer – an emerging alternative, shoegaze and dream pop trio infused with striking vocal harmonies.
Courtney Kaiser-Sandler, Interlochen’s associate director of contemporary music and founder of the singer-songwriter program, said after “being in each other’s orbit for many years” at Interlochen, the seeds of Lost Swimmer were sown when the trio was rearranging a song for a holiday performance.
Kaiser-Sandler, Josh Hoisington (music production and engineering instructor who teaches contemporary music) and Marc Lacuesta (director of music production and engineering) realized that their “collective varying styles in previous projects led them to create music that was different than they could create on their own: somber, atmospheric and serious.”
(Scroll down to listen to the Michigan Music Showcase podcast that features a track from Lost Swimmer.)
So while all three musicians have released music separately on their own, Lost Swimmer is now in the midst of completing its collaborative debut EP, with plans for releasing it in 2027.
The Claudettes: The eclectic and rousing Chicago band headlines the Nov. 6 Alluvion show. (Courtesy Photo)
Before that, however, the trio will perform at The Alluvion in Traverse City on Nov. 6, opening for Chicago “garage cabaret” band The Claudettes. (More about The Claudettes below.) Tickets, $30 in advance, are available online at thealluvion.org. Tickets at the door for the 7:30 p.m. show are $35, with Local Spins publisher John Sinkevics on hand to introduce the bands.
“We are excited for the show,” Kaiser-Sandler noted. “This is all still brand new. We perform when we are invited, but are excited to release new music, and enjoy playing and performing without the pressures of ‘making it.’”
In many ways, each band member already has “made it” in their own fashion.
Lacuesta, who played alto saxophone in his high school marching band and later earned a vocal perform/music production and engineering degree from Berkleey College of Music in Boston, spent years in Nashville as a producer, engineer, arranger and session vocalist, and has worked with the likes of Sam Bush, Keb’ Mo’, Mavis Staples, John Legend and Kim Carnes. He and his family moved to Traverse City in 2019 so Lacuesta could create Interlochen’s Music Production and Engineering Department.
He said he “dreams daily of becoming a better bass player” and thanks to his work with Lost Swimmer, he’s “steadily improving.”
Hoisington, a Michigan native, boasts two decades of experience in major-label artists and repertoire (A&R) work, artist management and music production, working with Wyclef Jean, SOFI TUKKER, Panic! At the Disco and ODESZA along the way. SOFI TUKKER’s “Purple Hat” – which featured Hoisington as a writer and producer – earned gold and platinum certifications. For six years, he’s taught contemporary music at Interlochen Arts Academy where he said he continues to be inspired by his students.
Originally hailing from Indianapolis, Kaiser-Sandler started playing piano as a child, later picked up the guitar and is a classically trained singer, having trained at Interlochen Arts Camp and Interlochen Arts Academy before studying classical voice at Indiana Unitversity. She’s been part of several bands and worked over the years with John Mellencamp, The Wallflowers, Sufjan Stevens and Sean Lennon, and her music has been used in film and television.
After spending a dozen years in Brooklyn, N.Y., she relocated to Traverse City 15 years ago, founded Interlochen’s songwriting program and now leads contemporary music instruction “which includes songwriting, pop, music production and jazz.”
So, what can audiences expect from this combination of varied musical experiences and talent that unfurls atmospheric, harmony-driven music?
“A release from your busy lives,” Kaiser-Sandler suggested.
Dynamo: Rachel Williams of The Claudettes (Courtesy Photo)
As for the headliners on Nov. 6, The Claudettes recently released their sixth album, “Garage Glamour,” chock full of the blues, R&B, punk and film-noir revelry that’s marked their buzzed-about music and live performances.
“The new album is distinguished by the full-length Claudettes debut of Rachel Williams, who is rightfully blowing people away with the sheer breadth of things she can do with her vocals,” said keyboardist Johnny Iguana, who’s also joined in The Claudettes by bassist Zach Verdoorn and drummer Liz Ele.
Iguana noted that The Claudettes have likely played Michigan more often than any other state. They follow the Traverse City show with a stop at Michigan Theatre in Jackson on Nov. 7.
“We love playing Michigan,” he said. “There’s a warmth and music passion there that we can feel.”
In addition to an unreleased track from Lost Swimmer, this week’s Michigan Music Showcase radio podcast features new tracks by Michigan’s N8ure, Kylee Phillips, David Spiess, Josh Garvelink and Covier, plus creepy Halloween-appropriate music from Greet Death, Stovepipe Stover, Murder Party!, Devan Pitts, The Hexlings, The Concussions, Lambert Hendricks & Ross and Sea Monster. The show closes with a classic 2012 track by Drew Nelson, who plays SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids on Wednesday. Listen to the full show below.
The Michigan Music Showcase airs at 11 a.m. Fridays and 5 p.m. Sundays on WYCE (88.1 FM) and online at wyce.org, and on Interlochen Public Radio at 7 p.m. Saturdays. Check out previous show podcasts online here.
PODCAST: Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase (10/30/26)
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