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 http://musictherapypodcast.com/
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
"Truth" by Bill MacKay and Nathan Bowles
Listen to Bill MacKay: https://billmackay.bandcamp.com/album/keys
Visit http://musictherapypodcast.com/
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 to Minor Moon: https://minormoon.bandcamp.com/album/tethers
Visit http://musictherapypodcast.com/
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://musictherapypodcast.com/ and http://jessicarisker.com/
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 scene playing with groups like The Curls and Tatsu Aoki’s MIYUMI project. In 2020 he released his first album under his own name, “Atassi Wa Rami” which is a series of improvised duets with bassist Tatsu Aoki. In 2021 he launched Guitar Tactics, his teaching practice and website designed to help musicians break through creative barriers on the guitar.
Listen to Rami Atassi: https://www.ramiatassi.com/
Visit http://musictherapypodcast.com/ and http://jessicarisker.com/
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: 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 the interview so it cuts off abruptly, but all the good stuff is there. To answer Dave's question - I am fine!
https://davevettraino.bandcamp.com/album/exercise
https://jessicarisker.com/
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 Malory: https://www.instagram.com/malorydahlwellness/
Visit my website: jessicarisker.com
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/
