When Joslyn Hampton steps onstage, she’s not just performing — she’s transmitting joy, pain, truth and power with every note she sings.

As lead vocalist powering Joslyn & The Sweet Compression, Hampton’s presence on and off the stage is unmistakable. The soul-funk group, based in Lexington, Kentucky, will bring their high-energy, genre-fused sound to the Stranahan’s free concert series in the Steamboat Resort base area from 6-9 p.m. Friday.

“I try to write lyrics that are very relatable, and I sing from my heart,” Hampton said. “I give everything I have to my audience, and most of the time, they give that energy right back. That’s what we thrive on.”

The band’s journey began in 2015. Hampton, who is experienced in cover bands and also trained in both gospel and opera, joined forces with her stepfather to start crafting her own original music. After years of singing in church and studying music in college, she was ready to take a step toward something more personal and grounded.

“He said, ‘Let’s get out of this cover band scene and start writing our own music,'” Hampton recalled. “And I said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it.'”

Tragically, her stepfather passed away a few years later. Despite that loss, the foundation they created together remained. Since then, Hampton has kept that creative spark alive while also leading The Sweet Compression with passion.

While the band’s lineup has evolved over time, the base chemistry has remained the same. Drummer Ray Fleming has been with Hampton since the group formed. Bassist Tyler Papierniak, or Big Baby as the band calls him, performs alongside Carter Scofield on guitar and Jacob O’Donnell on saxophone.

“My drummer and bass player are just locked in,” Hampton said. “Their groove is so tight. One of the main compliments we get is about how interwoven we are.”

Scofield, who Hampton calls Sunshine, brought a new and imaginative life to the guitar parts originally written by Hampton’s stepfather.

“He studied my stepfather’s work and then elevated it,” she said. “I’m so lucky to have found someone like that.”

The group blends soul, funk and R&B with jazz, blues and pop. Hampton said she draws inspiration from legends like Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan and Whitney Houston. She also cited Mahalia Jackson and Leontyne Price as early influences from her gospel and opera training.

“You can definitely hear the influence of everyone we’ve covered including Aretha, Parliament, James Brown and Chaka throughout our original music,” she said.

Hampton also noted that collaboration is a major factor in the band’s dynamic sound. Despite Hampton’s role as the group’s leader, each member is able to contribute creatively and freely within what she described as an experimental space that makes the music truly resonate.

“We all respect each other’s crafts and I make sure they feel free to express themselves musically,” she said. “If something doesn’t work, we talk about it and modify it. But that space for freedom and connection is the main thing that holds us together.”

In Hampton’s eyes, that same connection extends to the crowd. Wherever Joslyn & The Sweet Compression perform, their focus on stage is to make every person in the audience feel seen.

“I look people in the eye. I point. I make sure they know I see them,” she said. “Even if it’s a big venue, I want to create that power cave of energy where we’re all in it together.”

Steamboat Springs isn’t new territory for the group, as they’ve performed at venues like Schmiggity’s and Snow Bowl before.

“We absolutely love it there,” Hampton said. “The crowd is always very welcoming and receptive.”

Friday’s show will also feature the band performing tracks from their two released albums, as well as a possible “tease” of a new unreleased track that is currently in the works.

“I’m hoping to bring that new song if we can rehearse it in time,” Hampton said. “But most of the set will be from the albums that people are able to stream right now.”

While the band has built its name steadily, Hampton has her eyes optimistically set on the future. Her goals are to connect with larger audiences while inspiring others to follow their dreams and find comfort in a life that can be filled with struggle.

“I want to reach thousands and be a light in the dark for people,” she said. “I’m not asking to be famous or a millionaire. I just want to live comfortably, pay my band what they deserve and bring joy to people.”

For more information on Friday’s show, visit Steamboat.com/Things-To-Do/Events/Stranahans-Free-Summer-Concert-Series-August-1.