Behind the Scenes with the Bandmates of Sentimental Creatures: An Exclusive Interview

I had the wonderful opportunity to do a Q&A session with the talented bandmates of Sentimental Creatures. During this engaging discussion, I was able to dive deep into the unique stories of each band members, exploring their diverse upbringings and the distinct paths they took to pursue their musical dreams. We discussed their individual musical journeys, highlighting pivotal moments that shaped their artistic identities, and shared insights into their personal hobbies and interests outside of music. I hope you guys enjoy reading this!!

Amit Ahuja: To start at the very beginning, can you take us back to your earliest years and paint a vivid picture of where you each grew up?

Lukas: I grew up with divorced parents, so I called quite a few different places my hometown as we moved around a lot, or if I was in between one house or the other. On one end of the spectrum, I grew up out in the country—spending a lot of time at my grandparents’ farm (pastures, barns, auctions, the outdoors, etc.) when I was with my mom. On the other end, with my dad, I grew up in the city around Kansas City (downtown, independence center, worlds of fun, neighborhood friends, etc.)

It was hard growing up with two different lifestyles, but I’m really grateful for it because I feel like it made me more well-rounded and able to relate to a lot of different situations and kinds of people. I got to see different ways of life and watch my parents overcome their own challenges, and that shaped how I try to carry myself and help others now.

Both of my parents were musicians and writers, so I grew up surrounded by good music and creativity. As a kid I spent a lot of time outside—skateboarding, running around neighborhoods with friends, having Nerf wars. At one point, one of my best friends (Brayden) and I even founded and played on a semi-professional paintball team. On the other side of my life, I was around animals on the farm, building and fixing things, later on I played football and golf in high school, and eventually started connecting with friends in the music scene after I graduated.

Sara: I grew up in two different college towns. I was born in Pullman, WA on campus (go Cougs) and the year 2000 was when I moved to St Joseph, MO- home of Missouri Western State University, the latter of which became my Alma mater. Although Pullman and St Joe are almost the same in population size, their cultures are strikingly different. Even after the end of the PAC 10/12 conference Wazzou is still the pride and joy of Pullman, and its athletics and art departments still thrive there.

Whereas St Joe never repped their own colors with the same loyalty and later became plagued by alleged embezzlement and their current disassociated, selfish administration which ended up leading to the near dissolution of the very art department I got my music degree from. But before all that, MWSU’s art department was the life blood of the St. Joe local entertainment scene.

In the 2010s Magoons had weekly Tuesday jams which is where I cut my teeth as a professional drummer and the best of the best theatre majors hosted stand-up comedy nights and animated karaoke's all over town. I find it tragically funny that the current social media trend of 2026 is “post your 2016 pics” because I mostly remember MWSU and the St Joe’s art and music culture still being in its prime during that time. Since then, MWSU now has to rely on community volunteers to have a band at football games, Magoons stopped hosting the weekly jams, and The Rendezvous closed its doors forever.

Caleb: I grew up in a city that had a small-town feel; I could walk or ride my bike almost anywhere. There were strong community connections with the library, schools, and local businesses. The school had a very prominent band program, and the community was always there to support it. Which gave the band opportunities like playing at professional sports games and marching in NYC and at Disneyland.

Isaiah: I was born in St. Joseph, MO, but grew up in a small town in Atchison, KS. Middle of nowhere. The atmosphere was isolating, but it always had really cool nature—lots of trees and small little lakes. It made me think a lot and dream big. I just wanted to make it out of there.

Amit Ahuja: Looking back with the perspective you have now, in what ways did your upbringing shape who you are today?

Lukas: Seeing my parents’ relationship with music—and really my whole family’s relationship with it—guided me toward that path myself. Watching how they handled adversity, how they treated people, and how they navigated life really shaped my values and perspective.

I’m incredibly grateful for the support system I’ve been blessed with and for the people God placed in my life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without that foundation, and it’s influenced how I approach creativity, relationships, and life in general.

Sara: St. Joseph was where I learned the harsh realities of racism and religious trauma, but it was those very things that made me channel my anger and aggression towards beating the life out of a drumset. Yet somehow in the weeds of this toxic culture, I still managed to be blessed by great band directors and especially two incredible percussion teachers: Chad Lippincott (Central high school) and the late great Dr. Dennis Rogers (MWSU) that taught me how to apply music theory to my musical anger outlet.

Caleb: Boy Scouts was a big part of my childhood. I was in it from elementary school all the way through high school. I learned a lot of real-world skills, some of which I still use today. For most of my childhood, my dad was a teacher. So, he would also get summers off. My dad, brother, and I would always go camping, fishing, swimming, or play games in the back yard. He was my teacher, coach, and principal. There are times that I either say or do something like he would have, without even realizing it until later.

Isaiah: My upbringing affected me the most because of my specific environment. I grew up with people who were older and wiser—not a whole lot of people my age—so it made me mentally grow up faster. But my family was very open-minded: no racism or sexism or judgment of religious choice, so I’ve always been grateful for that. It made me able to have the open mind that allows room for creativity to come in full force.

Amit Ahuja: Can you talk about your experiences within the Kansas City music scene?

Lukas: I actually started out in the Atchison, Kansas music scene, then moved into the St. Joseph scene. I made a lot of great connections in both places, but Kansas City was always the goal. Living a little outside the city made things harder—it took extra effort to get involved and make connections—but it was worth it.

Finding the Kansas City Music Industry Network and going to industry meetings at the RINO in North Kansas City really changed things for us. We met people who believed in us, shared knowledge, and became close friends. Many of our best friends in music are from Kansas City now, and we’ve had the chance to play some historic venues and share stages with amazing bands.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to grow within that scene, and I’m excited to see how Kansas City continues to develop creatively over the next few years.

Sara: Other than being America’s only UNESCO recognized music city, I grew up seeing KC as a haven for indie bands. In my late teens, 96.5 was still “The Buzz” and it inspired me to no end hearing songs by bands from KC and even St. Joseph on “Jeriney’s Homegrown Buzz” segment- it felt like such an attainable goal that I could be in a band someday that could get on a show that has the reach that 96.5 has. Although that station has changed, the spirit of the KC indie scene has not. It’s still very much a “together we can” attitude. 90.1 KKFI was actually the station where I achieved my radio play goal with Sentimental Creatures. And the KC DIY venue, Sk8bar, was also the place that brought us all together in the first place.

Caleb: The first time I played a show in Kansas City, it was at the Rino. The other bands and the venue workers were nice and supportive, and the crowd was all having a good time. They also have some of the best ice cream in KC. Every time we play a show, I feel that everyone is supportive of each other. It doesn’t feel like a competition between musicians. Bands like Kissin, Toasterbath, and Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves make it easy to have fun and just play music. But they also make me want to push the boundaries of our genre and try new things to see what we as a band can accomplish.

Isaiah: Experiences with the KC music scene are amazing—lots of diversity, and even people from out of town. Coming up was tricky because the KC scene is pretty private, but once you break in, you’re in, and it’s just networking really after that. Finding your own identity or creating it—me and the band I’m in have definitely gotten lucky to perform with other acts that are badass, just off the top of my head (Toaster Bath / Phantom Sam / Rosebay from Colorado / Barefoot Cult / Captain Howdy / An Esperluette / Indra / Kissin / Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves / Doll Exchange), and lots more to mention. Being around so many other talented people and artists just makes you want to push yourself. It’s inspiring because growing up you hear about all these different music scenes from different decades (jam bands of the 70s, 90s grunge scene, etc.), and you wish to be a part of that or be around it. In a way, I feel like that stuff only happens every so often, when the world needs it or is ready for it. Technology definitely changed everything and numbed all of us (AI, social media content creating). Everything is constantly in a state of change and instant gratification, but now it’s faster than ever—more than most can keep up with. It’s like we’re all fried. KC is still unique in my opinion because, in my own head at least, it feels like we’re separated from a lot of the other parts of the country—“middle America.” A lot of people forget about our area.

Amit Ahuja: Can you walk us through your personal musical journey?

Lukas: I grew up around music—both of my parents were musicians and writers—so it was always present in my life. I really caught the writing bug in third grade when I learned about poetry, and that changed everything for me.

As I got older, songwriting became an outlet and an escape. It helped me process life, deal with hard things, and create a space where I could express what I was feeling. It was freeing, and it carried me through a lot of difficult seasons.

Outside of just writing music, some of my friends and I used to go to Josey records every Thursday for years rain or shine and just check out vinyl, try new music out, and just spend the whole night listening to new records. As well as also going out and seeing bands play live. The first time I ever drove with my driver's license to Kansas City was to go to Josey records.

Sara: There’s no denying it- it was Phil Collins for me. Not Genesis or his solo stuff- it was actually the Disney Tarzan soundtrack! And then when my grandma caught on to the fact I was singing along to drum parts and not melodies, she started me with drum lessons at 9 years old.

Caleb: Within the same year, I received my first guitar and was gifted the CD that would heavily influence my music taste. Middle school was a turning point for my relationship with music. Going from something that I enjoyed to something I was passionate about. I was in band, choir, and musicals; and it just accelerated through high school and college.

Isaiah: Music always surrounded me since I was young. My uncle would play Ozzy and Celine Dion to make me sleep, and Journey, which was my favorite back then. I’d say it was meaningful the second I heard my first song. I was just always able to have a connection with it when I liked the sound. The moment that ignited everything for me was probably when I played Are You Experienced, Led Zeppelin, Rumours, and Abbey Road for the first time. I still remember looking at the speakers of the stereo and couldn’t believe the sounds and melodies that were coming out at me. It felt like I was time traveling.

Amit Ahuja: What initially drew you toward the genre you focus on today?

Lukas: I wanted to stay with something that didn’t have boundaries and also didn’t have a stereotype around what it sounded like. Each of us in the band have so many different influences that it was important to keep it flexible as we developed new songs, techniques, and influences.

Sara: As a child growing up in a contemporary, almost-mega church, it’s easy to hear the similarities in just how the music sounds between indie rock and early 2000s contemporary praise music. And because of that I was drawn to that type of music because it sounded “spiritual”. I’m still drawn to that sound even after I finally realized the concept of organized religion and its homophobic beliefs are anything but spiritual. However, that community and ethereal authenticity that I was looking for in church turned out to be everything the indie music scene was about. In this scene I see people who are truly free to be themselves and love who they want, and they express themselves freely and authentically because of that. Authenticity is what I’m drawn to the most in everything, and I think Jesus would agree.

Caleb: Being in an Alternative Rock band doesn’t mean we are locked into one specific genre. Each of us in the band grew up listening to something different, and we bring that to the table when we are writing songs. The genre seems to be more of a spectrum rather than something that is just cut and dry.

Isaiah: I don’t really know if I do focus on a genre, to be honest. I just like what sounds good to me and what makes me feel like I’m not dead. We as a band have so many different influences. I think we’re still finding ourselves even right now.

Amit Ahuja: Were there particular bands, songs, or artists that influenced you early on?

Lukas: Jeff Buckley, Kings of Leon, the 1975, John Mayer, the Goo Goo Dolls, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, and many more that we feature on an inspiration playlist on our Spotify account.

Sara: The band that did it for me was Switchfoot. Yea…they were one of the “approved” bands for the youth group playlists, but I also noticed something else in them: I saw 5 surfer bros from California who’s lead singer/songwriter loves Jesus but also loves rock and roll and traveling and just writes lyrics about what he feels. To me that looked and sounded like freedom, and that’s all I ever wanted to be in a band for. “Nothing is Sound” was also the album I played along to the most during my early musician years.

Caleb: Green Day was the biggest influence since the start of my musical journey. American Idiot was the first album that I listened to in its entirety. It was the only CD I had in my portable CD player for a long time. I was too young at the time to fully understand what the message behind the music was. But the sound of the guitar, bass, and drums; and the passion behind all the lyrics, I just couldn’t get enough. I wrote several songs growing up, always dreaming of being in a band, and now I’m living that dream.

Isaiah: Black Sabbath, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Journey, Led Zeppelin, and Fleetwood Mac were probably the most important, but I’d also mention (The Smiths, The Velvet Underground, Rory Gallagher, Prince, Eric Johnson, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Doors, Pink Floyd, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, ZZ Top, My Bloody Valentine, The Stone Roses, Type O Negative, Sonic Youth, The Smashing Pumpkins, Counting Crows, Jeff Buckley, Metallica, The Beatles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Cream, Thin Lizzy, The Misfits, Kiss, The Pixies)—too many to name. Drums were always my favorite instrument. Guitar didn’t catch my attention until I saw a video of Dimebag Darrell playing in the “Walk” music video, and then I was hooked. I didn’t really think of starting a band until I really got into Hendrix and The Smashing Pumpkins and Red Hot Chili Peppers specifically. When I first learned how to play “Tonight, Tonight” and “Under the Bridge” on guitar, after that I felt like I had a connection with my instrument.

Amit Ahuja: Take us back to the very beginning of Sentimental Creatures. How did the band first come together?

Lukas: The four of us met for the first time whenever Isaiah and I played a show at skate bar whenever it was still in Saint Joseph Missouri. It was one of the last shows that they had there before they moved to Westport. That’s where we met Sara and Caleb. Sara joined the band a few months after we met, and then Caleb joined the following year. Isaiah and I had known each other for multiple years leading up to that and we met at muddy River guitars in Atchison Kansas.

Sara: So, before the whole band met at Sk8bar it was just Lukas Allnutt and Isaiah Diaz playing guitar and writing together for a couple years. The night all four of us met, Sk8bar was still in St Joe at the time, and the band was supposed to break up that night- Isaiah wanted to step away from music and start anew. That night me and my boyfriend at the time (now fiancé), Caleb, just wanted to go out and see some bands. Lukas actually thought I was a videographer because I was shooting the bands’ sets the whole night on my phone. Luke and Isaiah played this song called “Sink or Swim” that I was absolutely enamored with and it inspired me to talk to them after their set. We made plans to jam, and we kept making plans, and then two years into it Caleb joined in on those plans. And then we put out a single!

Caleb: I first saw Lukas and Isaiah at one of the last shows of Sk8bar in St Joe. Little did I know that would lead to where we are today. Sara spoke with them after the show and eventually they all started jamming and playing some shows together. They wanted me to join on bass, but I was busy at the time with another band. After a falling out with that band, I made the decision to finally join Sentimental Creatures. Lukas and Isaiah had been playing together for a long time and Sara and I had been in a few different bands together. Sara and I have the rhythm section down on lock, Lukas pours his soul into the lyrics, and Isaiah takes us all on a musical journey with his solos. It helps that we all know what we are doing. Lukas comes to us with the basic outline of a song and we all add the meat and potatoes to finish it off. Sara and I’s years of experience and the chemistry between Lukas and Isaiah all mesh really well.

Isaiah: It all started with me and Luke. I had just moved to KC and was in a weird place in my life and didn’t know my future. Luke ended up having me play a festival show in St. Joe with him, and it went really well, but I still didn’t feel any direction. He came up with the band name and told me about a Sk8bar show at the end of the year that we should play. We ended up playing, and after that show I was on board. It’s also where we met our drummer Sarah for the first time—really special night. The connection we had with the crowd is mainly what got my attention. I never had a moment like that before. It was really cool stuff.

Amit Ahuja: When Sentimental Creatures was first forming, what was the original vision for your sound and identity?

Lukas: When we first started the band, we were mainly focused on recording, writing, and getting things to where they could be released to the public because we had other things and other opportunities that were coming up and we didn’t know if we would get the opportunity to unless we took charge and did it ourselves. we had been trying for years to put a band together and record and hadn’t had much luck until we met Sara and Caleb and everything changed.

Sara: When I joined, the first band I compared our sound to be The Goo Goo Dolls. So from that, I really tried to approach my drum part writing to sound like every rock band I loved from the late 90s/early 2000s: Counting Crows, Switchfoot, Dave Matthews Band, etc. I’m not gonna lie though, it didn’t sound as full as it could without bass guitar and we really sounded complete once Caleb filled that role.

Caleb: The name of the band was already decided on before I joined. As a whole, the name fits the band. Most of the songs are stories from Lukas’ life, but there are still themes that we can all relate to. We vlog every show as a way not only for us to look back on, but for our fans to see what we are like off stage. I recently made a lyric video for our single “Could’ve Stayed” that incorporated all of the vlogs we made during 2025. It’s like a highlight reel of our first year as a full band. It was nice seeing where we started, how we’ve grown, and the friends that we have made along the way. I know that each of us will look back on it fondly for years to come.

Isaiah: It all started with me and Luke. I had just moved to KC and was in a weird place in my life and didn’t know my future. Luke ended up having me play a festival show in St. Joe with him, and it went really well, but I still didn’t feel any direction. He came up with the band name and told me about a Sk8bar show at the end of the year that we should play. We ended up playing, and after that show I was on board. It’s also where we met our drummer Sarah for the first time—really special night. The connection we had with the crowd is mainly what got my attention. I never had a moment like that before. It was really cool stuff.

Amit Ahuja: In the early stages, did you experiment with different band names?

Lukas: My wife—who was my girlfriend at the time—and I would drive around listening to new music together. She showed me a Christian album that was titled Sentimental Creatures, and at the time Isaiah and I were scrambling to find a band name.

We’d tried other names before my first band was called The Midnight Marters, Isaiah and I briefly had a band called Cool Hand, and at one point I wanted to call this project Heart Sleeve, but no one else liked that name.

When I heard Sentimental Creatures, it immediately clicked. It felt personal. It felt like me. I looked it up and realized no band had claimed the name, so I grabbed the social media handles right away—even before we were ready to release anything. Months later, someone else tried to use the name for something unrelated, and I was so glad we’d locked it in.

I love that we’re just @SentimentalCreatures—not an underscore, not “band” at the end. It’s us. Even if it’s a little long or hard to spell, it’s worth it because it represents who we are and there’s not any competition in the search bar.

Caleb: From what I know, the band was Lukas and Isaiah both on guitar. Sara joined on drums shortly after that show at Sk8bar, which did change the dynamic of the sound. It gave it more of a driving force. When I finally joined the band a year later, it was like putting in the last puzzle piece. Having bass really lays down a foundation and helps round out the sound.

Sara: Luke was so committed to that name he started the Instagram account before the band even started because no one had taken it yet! And I’m so glad he did. Sentimental Creatures is the perfect band name for 4 people who are just living to create music and memories together.

Isaiah: I think the vision was me and Luke just wanted to write the best songs that we could and hopefully connect with people along the way, also just trying to build something to get us out of our situations. I think it’s aligned well currently thanks to us having Sarah (drums) and Caleb (bass). We’ve just had good chemistry from day one. It’s evolved in the sense that with time we’ve been able to jam out more songs, but in a funny way we don’t have as much time to sit around and write in a convent way anymore because of jobs and life. Time management is trickier.

Amit Ahuja: The name Sentimental Creatures feels intentional and layered with meaning. Can you explain it?

Lukas: The name reflects how I see myself and how I see people. We’re all sentimental in some way—we hold onto memories, places, people, and moments. That emotional connection to life is at the core of everything we do, and the name felt like it captured that perfectly.

Sarah: There was a piece of art called “Sentimental Creatures” that definitely inspired the band name, and the more I dwelled on that name the more I realized how perfect it is and never once had the desire to try and change it. Because we’re all sentimental about something, right? I think the name represents an important factor that makes us all human.

Caleb: Sentimentality for me is not necessary holding on to the past, rather looking back at past experiences fondly. Or even holding on to certain items because they mean something to you on an emotional level. One place in particular for me, that is sentimental is Sk8bar. That is the venue that Sara and I first started hanging out at, playing my first open mic, meeting Lukas and Isaiah, and recently the place that I proposed to Sara at.

Isaiah: I don’t remember all the names me and Luke came up with, but there were a lot. He found the name one day and I liked how it sounded, so we agreed because we really just needed a name. It felt like it represented the times very well, but not in a dated way—more like a state of living or state of mind. Our song “Could’ve Stayed” is probably a good example of that. Sometimes it’s easy to overthink or let things subconsciously weigh you down—“idle time is the devil’s playground”—but a lot of times you just need to make peace with yourself without even realizing it.

Amit Ahuja: When it comes to songwriting, can you walk us through your lyrical inspiration?

Lukas: Songwriting has always been an outlet for me. I recently found some of my earliest notebooks from elementary school when I was learning poetry, and it reminded me how long this has been part of my life.

Writing lets me escape, rewrite moments, or create entire fictional worlds. I loved storytelling from a young age, and that drew me to music—especially styles that could tell a story from beginning to end.

Songwriting also gave me a way to talk about things without directly confronting people. I could process emotions, find closure, and even sing about it onstage while the person was in the audience. It’s helped me through some of the hardest and best times of my life, and it’s something I’ll always come back to.

Amit Ahuja: Could you dive deeper into specific songs from Could’ve Stayed and Down?

Lukas: Could’ve Stayed is a romanticized look back on my high school “career” / that era of my life.

Featuring lines talking about moments, music, and places from my life and what it’s like revisiting them as who I am today.

Also talking about the lines “Shapie tattood her number, I wanna be your lover, up all night sleep all day, I wish we could’ve stayed.

“Sharpie tattooed her number” is a reference to the unsure permanence of a sharpie on your skin, and also in that “stage” of a relationship.

“I wanna be your lover, up all night sleep all day” is a reference to two song titles that heavily influenced the two sides of the coin of my teenage self. The first reference is to a single off of prince’s self titled album (my favorite) I listened to that album almost every night at that time in my life. And in the context of “Could’ve Stayed” it really shares the side of me that was longing and yearning for love. Whereas the other reference is to “Up all night sleep all day” by Slaughter a high energy hair metal band that sound tracked lots of wild moments and crazy nights of those years for me.

The song also ends with the words “Where are you right now, do you think of me somehow?” And for me it’s a call out to anyone who’s lived those stories with me and/or anyone who might feel the same.

Isaiah: I remember writing my parts for “Could’ve Stayed” and “Down” in the same day. Me and Luke had more time on our hands back then, and we were in his old basement. He showed me the lyrics on paper, and we just played it out on the spot, which is usually how me and him write. He’s always got a lyric, or I’ll always have a guitar part or piece, and it will inspire the other’s part. So really for me it just represents that time period of our lives—just two guys with acoustics trying to make things happen.

Amit Ahuja: When you’re creating music, does it feel more like emotional release or self-discovery?

Lukas: A lot of the time it’s both, it just depends on whether I sit down with the intention to write something or if the song chooses me and I get the opportunity to put pen to paper on it.

Our song “you won’t” completely came to me in a dream that I had where I re-live a whole night of my life and woke up with a new perspective on it. After that dream I woke up and immediately went straight into the living room, grabbed a guitar, and wrote the song in like 15-20 minutes.

There’s also a lot of times as a band where we completely freestyle something out of thin air, and if we’re lucky enough to have recorded a draft of it 9/10 times it becomes something really cool. That’s how we got our song “Blue”

Isaiah and I will also sit down and “put the pieces together” using pieces of different ideas we have to revisit to build a whole song from the ground up. That’s how we got our song “Sink or Swim”

Sara: Writing music can be a combination of all 3, but also, it’s an outlet for just having fun. And as a drummer, I’m always approaching my part writing through the lens of “what will make people dance”. Dancing is also an expression of all those aforementioned things, and everyone should be able to express themselves freely at a rock concert.

Caleb: When I’m writing my bass parts, I try to make them as interesting as I can while still fitting within the realm of the songs. I push myself to see what I can do; I just want my parts to be fun to play.

Isaiah: I’d say all three, because most of the time it’s something that just happens in the moment and you just hope to capture it. It really just depends on what the mood is for that moment on that exact day.

Amit Ahuja: Is there a particular takeaway you hope listeners feel when hearing your music?

Lukas: I hope people find comfort in knowing someone else has felt what they’re feeling. I want them to be able to build their own version of the story and interpret the songs in their own way. One of my favorite things about art is hearing how other people connect to it and seeing things through different lenses of life.

Sara: For every one person who doesn’t like your music, there is someone that does. As long as your art is authentic and your guitars are in tune your fans will find you

Caleb: From my own opinions, to what I have heard from other band members and fans, they all mean something different to everyone; and that’s the beauty of it.

Isaiah: I think it’s all open-ended anyway, even if you don’t want it to be, because every person is gonna take something in or perceive it in their own unique way—that’s out of your control. If you’re trying to make a concept album, I guess that might be different. I just hope people can have a good time.

Amit Ahuja: What advice would you offer musicians dealing with rejection or self-doubt?

Lukas: It’s going to happen, but it happens for a reason and it makes you better. The quicker that you can find a perspective to take criticism as a way to learn and develop the faster that will happen. People very seldom are nice online if they don’t know you and no one‘s ever going to be 100% happy with something that you do. so make sure that it’s something that you can be proud of and that you’re passionate about because it doesn’t matter what they have to say, if you love it. The other edge of that sword is comparison; it can be crippling at times if used in the wrong way. but if you use it as a way to direct yourself and also attempt to make connections with the people that you catch yourself comparing yourself to it will make you better and also will bring forth Good relationships “your network is your net worth“ leading to opportunities in a higher quality of what you’re trying to accomplish.

Sara: For every one person who doesn’t like your music, there is someone that does. As long as your art is authentic and your guitars are in tune your fans will find you.

Caleb: We all go through struggles in life, musicians and non-musicians alike. When we don’t get invited to play a show, or we don’t make the cut for an audition, we can’t take it personally. It doesn’t mean that we suck, it’s either not the right timing or there is something better on the horizon.

Isaiah: Stop comparing yourself to other people. Just work on finding yourself authentically, and if you don’t know where to start, try and remember where you come from and follow the roots. With setbacks, you’ve just gotta focus on what you actually have control over. Once you have that figured out, then it’s just about action and accountability—how honest can you actually be with yourself, and how much are you willing to sacrifice, etc.

Amit Ahuja: Looking ahead, what exciting projects or goals do you have?

Lukas: Right now, the biggest focus is making an album. It sounds simple, but it’s a massive process—writing, recording, budgeting, release strategy, social media, and everything in between. It’s stressful, but with the team we have, it’s also a lot of fun.

We want to document the process, get the album out the right way, and eventually do small Midwest tours. Who knows—maybe one day a world tour—but right now, the album is the main goal.

Sara: So, the year of 2026 is going to slow down our live performance schedule because we are determined to start recording our debut album. We’ve been performing the tracks we want to put on it for a whole year so it’s time to record and cement them in the archives forever.

Caleb: Right now, we are gearing up to record our first album. What I’m excited for is that I get to record and mix it.

Isaiah: Making our first album.

Amit Ahuja: Who are three people who have profoundly shaped your life?

Lukas: I’d bundle my family and friends together as one. Seeing their different perspectives on life, how they treat people, and how they’ve helped me grow closer to God has shaped me deeply.

Musically, watching how important music was to so many of them showed me how powerful it can be as a tool to navigate life.

My family and close friends have helped me gain perspective, overcome anxiety and fear, and grow personally, spiritually, and creatively.

Sara: 1st major influence is my father, known in this region as “Coach Buzz”

He was the head coach of MWSU baseball for 20+ years until his retirement in 2023, and he kept that job for that long despite only getting offered a contract to renew EVERY year. And he’s still the 2nd most winningest baseball coach in the entire MIAA conference. Thats the work ethic he instilled in me and that’s what has set me on the road to success as an adult today.

2nd major influence is a man by the name of Jeff Lux- even tho I was getting a lot of great collegiate level training in music, I knew nothing about getting gigs in the real world until he gave me my first paying gig at the age 18. He carries himself with such grace and wisdom his oldest son calls him “Mountain Man Buddah”. He’s also a legend in St Joe- he’s the guitarist front and center on the musician mural that overlooks the Coleman Hawkins gazebo and he used to be in Kansas (yes…THAT Kansas)

And my 3rd and final influence is our very own bass player, my partner in rhythm and in life, Caleb Lackey. He taught me what true love is supposed to feel like and that’s the greatest inspiration I can ask for.

Caleb: Artistically, Billie Joe Armstrong. Ever since I listened to American Idiot, it inspired me to be a musician. Just his life story alone can be used as inspiration for other musicians. Personally, my fiancé Sara. She has helped me become a better man and learn what love actually is. She is one of the best drummers I’ve ever worked with, and she pushes me to be a better musician. Professionally, my dad. He has been in leadership positions for most of my life. Showing me what kind of work ethic, it takes to be where you want to be and how to handle stressful situations.

Isaiah: Musically (Jimi Hendrix, SRV, John Frusciante). Personally, Chuck, my first guitar teacher; then Chris, my second guitar teacher; and Brian, my old coworker/bandmate, all taught me different things and gave me different opportunities. What they’ve done for me still resonates with me today because I feel like I’m still chasing or trying to live out their advice and lessons. A lot of it I haven’t even gotten close to where I feel I should be, really.

Amit Ahuja: Outside of music, what other forms of art inspire you?

Lukas: I love film and TV because they fully immerse you—visually, emotionally, and sonically. Books, poetry, and songwriting allow more imagination, even if they’re harder to remember sometimes.

I love visual art and going to museums. I have an art wall at home made mostly of thrifted and garage-sale pieces that my wife and I find. I love continuing the legacy of art that someone else spent years creating, even if I don’t know the full story. seeing the gifts God has given working through people in every form of art, is inspiring.

I try to find inspiration in all forms of art that I encounter to help grow my perspective in everything I create.

Sara: The form of art that has resonated the most with me since my childhood was the story of The Lord of the Rings. It taught me about good vs evil, loyalty, self sacrifice, and inspired my adventurous spirit. As a story the books are a feat to read, but as lyrical poetry for inspiration there’s a lot of great stuff in there! For example, whenever I get existential I always think of Gandalf’s words about death: “The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass...then you see it…white shores”

Caleb: Video games would be the biggest for me. Mainly series like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout where there is this vast open world that you can explore. The story telling and ability to choose how you go through the games is what drew me to them. The sound tracks are really good as well. Especially in the Fallout games with the early 1900’s music that gives it a retro-aesthetic.

Isaiah: I’d say martial arts and skateboarding I find very inspirational. Different kind of expression and art but seeing people test their spirit and inner will to overcome our own human limitations, and to not let their minds eat them alive or consume them, but to have control and persevere time and time again—there’s nothing else like those art forms in my opinion. Very unique.

Amit Ahuja: Can you talk about the connection between creativity and mental health?

Lukas: Building a strong support system has been huge for me—people in the same niche who understand what you’re going through, along with friends and family outside of it who offer different perspectives.

The internet can be brutal. People will criticize things you’ve poured time, money, and emotion into. You can’t make everyone happy, so the most important thing is making art you’re proud of.

For me personally, building a relationship with God changed everything. It shifted my perspective from regret and “what ifs” to peace and trust that there’s a bigger plan. Music has always been an outlet for processing emotions and connecting with others, and the combination has been essential for my mental health.

Sara: My god what an intense question because my mental health journey and my exodus from organized religion journey go hand in hand…going to live shows was my alternative to going to therapy since the counselor at the church I was raised in was the one who condemned me for playing in bars (lol)

But now I see a whole different type of struggle: the weight of bearing your soul through an original song to a room of mostly strangers. But I think the ones who are brave enough to do that are the ones who figured out the solution is easier to read than do: Love Thyself

It’s easy to get in your own head, or to read comments from self-appointed critics online and believe them, but not as easy to tune it out and remember your worth. Because everyone that makes art to benefit and inspire others has value. And when we as artists tell each other that, the scene gets a little easier on one’s mentality.

Caleb: Mental health can be tricky. I’ve been in that position where I am comparing myself to others and thinking that I’m not good enough. Over time I started to only compare myself to what I’ve done in the past. There are days where I don’t improve and have fallen back. So, I take time to reflect as to why I’m not improving, not to make excuses, but to have actual reasons on why I faltered, and the steps I can take to make sure they don’t happen again.

Isaiah: t’s a back and forth for your whole life. The spiritual battle never stops. Sometimes it can break you, but never give up on yourself. Also, make sure you have a good circle around you—people who will say no but also give you an honest yes. Loyalty and truth—you can’t buy that.

Amit Ahuja: If you had the world’s attention for five uninterrupted minutes, what would you say?

Lukas: God has a plan for everything. The more you invest in your relationship with Him, the more peace, love, and clarity you’ll find. Instead of dividing ourselves and competing against one another, we should focus on loving each other, building each other up, and remembering that we’re all on the same team.

Sara: Your only competition is yesterday’s self. Then I would have the band play “Clouds on the Ceiling” which is currently our best song that hasn’t been recorded/mix/mastered yet.

Caleb: Love yourself. A lot of people take it out on others because of their own insecurities. If we all learn to love ourselves first, there would be a lot less hate in the world.

Isaiah: Kill your ego.

Amit Ahuja: As we wrap things up, what would you like to leave with your fans and dream-chasers?

Lukas: Don’t ever give up. Push yourself, trust that adversity has purpose and have faith that you’ll come out stronger on the other side. God has a plan for you, and art is a gift—every person has something unique inside them that no one else can replicate.

Go create. Get involved in your community. Be excited to share something beautiful. Be there to share love to others, And never give up on your dreams. Sometimes we like to think of life as if we’re writing the script to our own movie—when it’s hard, it’ll make for a powerful chapter, and when it’s good, people will love it. That mindset helps you take pride in every season.

Sara: Make the world and art you want to live in, but also don’t be a selfish jerk ❤️

Caleb: When you are in the process of writing music, make sure you record everything. It doesn’t have to be studio level quality, just something to keep record. You could even use your phone. Better yet, take video so you can see how you were playing something. I can’t tell you how many times I have forgotten something and can’t go back because I didn’t record it.

Isaiah: The only person that can get in the way of your own dreams is yourself.”

Amit Ahuja: Thank you to the band members of Sentimental Creatures for sharing your stories with my readers today.

Please explore the Sentimental Creatures Linktree link below to listen to their music and follow the band.

https://linktr.ee/sentimentalcreatures?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnWtAGhjXX9IAMoafjfyHkP3DfaKUnomyDO7avBWSTZPuS4W2Yp3YS5c6jx24_aem_hpihj4YZyexi3AjQ-ALF-Q

***All photographs are the property of Sentimental Creatures.***