Music Therapy with Jessica Risker

In this episode of Music Therapy I talk with Chicago musician Macie Stewart !  Macie talks about the surprising thing she learned about herself during the pandemic, the challenges of maintain mental health and relationships on the road, her new album “Mouth Full of Glass” coming out Sept 24 via Orindal Records, her biggest fears for her music as well as her biggest hopes - and more! Visit musicthe...

In this episode of Music Therapy , I talk with Chicago country crooner "Lonesome Andrew" aka Andrew Sa!   Andrew talks about creating his latest film project "Andrew In Anotherland", learning to love collaboration, dishes on the snobbish culture of cover artists, why country music is so important for men, his number one piece of advice for artists trying to find their voice, and much more! Show No...

In this episode of Music Therapy , Jessica Risker braves the twisted minds of two of the most outrageous characters in Chicago, Maxwell Allison and Doug Kaplan of the label Hausu Mountain , and their duo project  Pepper Mill Rondo . The two have been collaborating as business partners and musicians for nearly a decade turning out tape after tape of experimental and straight up demented electronic...

In this episode of Music Therapy , I talk with Chicago musician Nathan Graham! We talk about his role working in mediation and inclusiveness/diversity at  reverb.com , growing up surrounded by music, his particular fusion sound of blues and Americana, becoming more selective about gigs, working towards a full time music career, Chicago’s music communities and industry, his current musical projects...

On this episode of Music Therapy I talk withJess Viscius of Chicago band BNNY !  We talk about her new album "Everything" out now via Fire Talk Records, making an album while grieving the sudden loss of her partner Trey Gruber, figuring out the album's sound, and plenty more. Show Notes + Transcript Credits:  Music Therapy is hosted by Jessica Risker, produced by Sullivan Davis of Local Universe,...

In this episode of Music Therapy I talk with legendary recording engineer Chris Koltay of High Bias Recordings !! We talk about lockdown, re-opening his studio in August, how he views his role in the studio, his secret to making your album stand out, his biggest fears, and more!! Show Notes + Transcript Credits:  Music Therapy is hosted by Jessica Risker, produced by Sullivan Davis of Local Univer...

In this episode of Music Therapy I talk with Jean Cochrane of Hard Femme  !! We dive deep into songwriting - making melodies, song structures, lyrics, collaborating, chord progressions, music theory, and more. And Jean shares info about their new album “ A Layer of Topsoil” and upcoming release show on 8/1 at Ping Tom Park! Listen to Hard Femme: https://hardfemme.bandcamp.com/ Transcript + Show No...

GROUP SESSION!!  On this episode of Music Therapy I talk with Chicago 4-piece Girl K!  Taped live at Cafe Mustache, I chat with all four band members about how they met, sorting out creative control, their biggest fear for the band, music and romance, that time Kathy cried in the Sleeping Village green room on her birthday, and the surprise that made up for it.  Featuring a live musical performanc...

In this episode of Music Therapy I talk with fellow therapist Dr. Lauren Neaman about social anxiety in a post-lockdown world.  Dr. Neaman talks about the difference between social anxiety and social anxiety disorder, what behaviors can actually make social anxiety worse, treatment for social anxiety, her stance on using medication for social anxiety, and more! TRANSCRIPT: https://www.musictherapy...

In this episode of Music Therapy , I talk with Chicago musician Adam Schubert of Ulna and Cafe Racer. Adam talks openly and candidly in detail about his journey of alcohol and cocaine abuse, starting at age 13, to hitting rock bottom, to coming to terms with his addiction, and to his present-day ongoing journey of recovery.  We discuss AA, not counting days sober, and taking it one day at a time. ...

In this episode of Music Therapy I interview Chicago musician Brian Case of FACS and Disappears! Brian describes what music success means to him, making music during the pandemic, writing and recording collaboratively, how he balances fatherhood with music and touring, his son’s foray into music, FACS new album Present Tense, and lots more!! Brian Case bio:  Singer and multi-instrumentalist Brian...

In this episode of Music Therapy, I interview Chicago artist Tasha! Tasha talks about self-care, believing no one should work, her new album coming out later this year, how the pandemic has impacted her creativity, struggling with social media obligations, upcoming live shows this year, and more.   Tasha's Bio:  Tasha is a songwriter and musician based in Chicago, where she was born and raised. He...

In our very first "Group Session" episode, I talk with Chris Coleslaw and Lexi Goddard of Chicago's Tobacco city live from Cafe Mustache!  We talk about how they came together as a band, trying to get ahead in the music scene, disliking social media obligation, and a lot more.  Plus, they share a live performance of several gorgeous songs! Listen to Tobacco City:  https://tobaccocity.bandcamp.com/...

In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with Jess Robbins of Chicago dream-pop band Course! Jess and I talk about her starting a new band right before the pandemic hit, how the band stayed connected by watching horror movies and finished an album during quarantine, Course's upcoming album out May 21, how Jess stays creatively active while having 3 small boys, touring as a parent, and more!!   Lis...

In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with Ryan Suzuka of Blow Wind Blow! Ryan talks about sneaking out of his house growing up to teach himself harmonica, releasing an album right before quarantine hit, his experience on American Idol 10 years ago today, why it’s helpful to have a “push” from friends to make music, and more! Listen to Blow Wind Blow:  https://blowwindblow.bandcamp.com/ Visit h...

In this episode of Music Therapy I talk with the incredible Bill MacKay! Bill shares the routines and practices that have gotten him through the pandemic, his dad’s struggle with bipolar disorder, his amazing new album “Keys” out now on Drag City Records, becoming more confident with his artistic output over time, and lots more!!   Songs featured in episode: "Help Me, Help Me" by Jessica Risker "T...

In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with Sam Cantor of Chicago band Minor Moon! Sam and I talk about his wonderful new album “Tethers”, working on and releasing an album during the pandemic, receiving affirmation for music via social media vs in-person, dealing with hopes, expectations and disappointments for an album release, what success as a musician looks like for Sam, and more!! Listen t...

In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with musician Bret Rodysill of The Record Summer about the romanticization of mental illness. We started off with this topic in mind, and ended up exploring Bret’s own struggles with obsessive compulsive and bipolar disorder, and how mental illness has impacted his own creativity.  Listen to The Record Summer:  https://therecordsummer.com/ Visit http://musi...

In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with Chicago musician Rami Atassi! We talk about his relationship with music as a personal practice and profession, how he balances keeping music in his life with new parenthood, relationship with social media, input vs output, his creative process, and much more!! Rami Atassi is a musician, creator and teacher in Chicago. He cut his teeth in the music scen...

In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with Chicago musician Mia Joy. We talk about growing up in her musical family, being a music teacher, her new single and upcoming album, using music as a way to cope with emotions, Mia’s experience with depression and therapy, connecting with her label Fire Talk Records, and more!!   Listen to Mia Joy: https://miajoy.bandcamp.com/album/spirit-tamer Visit: h...

In this episode, I talk with Claudia Ferme of Claude! We talk about her new EP "Enactor", the covidwinter blues, her songwriting process, comparing to others on social media, a new album she is working on, and more!   Listen to Claude: https://girlclaude.bandcamp.com/album/enactor Visit https://jessicarisker.com/

In this episode of Music Therapy I talk with Dave Vettraino of @publichouserecs  ! Dave talks about his new solo album “Exercise” coming out this Friday via  @firetalkrecs  , how he’s developed his recording studio over the years, advice for bands coming in to a studio to record, how it’s been sort of nice to get a little break this year, and more! Something messed up with the audio at the end of...

In this episode of Music Therapy I interview therapist Malory Dahl of Chicago Counseling Center about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Malory does an incredible job of sharing the symptoms of SAD, why some people experience SAD, ways to treat SAD at home, when to see a therapist for SAD, and how to differentiate SAD from generalized depression or COVID related mood changes. Learn more about Malo...

In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with Chicago musician Adele Nicholas of Axons. Adele talks about her work as a lawyer, her active community involvement, her creative process, feeling anxious about releasing albums, her soon-to-be-released album about two creative bank robbers (based on true events!) and more!   https://axons.bandcamp.com/ https://jessicarisker.com/

In this interview, I talk with Angel Marcloid aka Fire-Toolz! Angel talks about making her music into a career, getting salty on Twitter, her experiences in therapy, Eckhart Tolle and other spiritual teachings, how she’s coping during the pandemic, and more!   Fire-Toolz: https://fire-toolz.bandcamp.com/