Music Therapy with Jessica Risker
Music Therapy is an existential podcast for musicians (and music fans!) Being a musician has never been easy, but in today’s over-saturated world, it feels more daunting than ever. With little money and murky paths to success, it’s no wonder musicians are struggling to find their place and value in the world. Musicians will find the Music Therapy podcast an indispensable and inspiring companion while navigating the ups and downs of creativity, the music industry, and mental health. Music fans will discover in-depth conversations with their favorite artists about their creative process and what it’s *really* like to be a musician these days. Featuring conversations with musicians, industry professionals, and licensed psychotherapists, the Music Therapy podcast is your pocket guide to navigating life as an artist while keeping a firm grip on your mental health. Charting all over the world, featured in Axios and NPR, the Music Therapy podcast is your #1 resource for creative and mental health support.
Listen on:
Episodes
Sunday May 17, 2020
Sunday May 17, 2020
In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with Shelby Turner of Richard Album. Shelby talks about how his relationship with making music, going to shows, and touring has changed over time, being a curator of the Chicago DIY scene, the magic of live performance, and more!
Listen to Richard Album here: https://richardalbum.bandcamp.com/
Listen to my music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1qyxydosK6a3Z52stGG32K
Visit my website: http://jessicarisker.com
Jessica Risker is a musician based in Chicago, IL and a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC)
This episode of Music Therapy was streamed live on Instagram on May 17, 2020.
Friday May 15, 2020
Friday May 15, 2020
In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with William Pierre Ramsey of Boys vs Girls. William talks about losing work because of the pandemic, how previous hardships with homelessness have prepared him for quarantine life, struggling with anxiety and anxious ruminations, reflecting on what's important in life, spirituality, how he stays positive, working on his debut album, and more! I found William's drive, reflections, and gratitude extremely inspiring and touching in these difficult times.
Listen to Boys vs Girls here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1N6wxPfX7w5M418VSy8Kq6
Listen to my music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1qyxydosK6a3Z52stGG32K
Visit my website: http://jessicarisker.com
Jessica Risker is a musician based in Chicago, IL and a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC)
This episode of Music Therapy was streamed live on Instagram on May 15, 2020.
Monday May 11, 2020
Monday May 11, 2020
In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with Rob Sevier, one of the co-founders of Chicago-based label Numero Group. Rob shares how the work environment of Numero has been changed by quarantine, the pivots Numero is making to adapt to our current reality, and more! Rob's ability to adapt to the current situation and work towards the future made me feel hopeful.
Visit Numero Group's website here: http://www.numerogroup.com/
Listen to my music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1qyxydosK6a3Z52stGG32K
Visit my website: http://jessicarisker.com
Jessica Risker is a musician based in Chicago, IL and a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC)
This episode of Music Therapy was streamed live on Instagram on May 11, 2020.
Sunday May 10, 2020
Sunday May 10, 2020
In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with Gabe Liebowitz of Calvero. Gabe shares openly how his struggles with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and negative thinking have interfered with his music career and creative process, and the steps he is taking to overcome these challenges.
Listen to Calvero here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4xB0JMYgS479Dj7pfDuRAx
Listen to my music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1qyxydosK6a3Z52stGG32K
Visit my website: http://jessicarisker.com
Jessica Risker is a musician based in Chicago, IL and a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC)
This episode of Music Therapy was streamed live on Instagram on May 10, 2020.
Saturday May 09, 2020
Saturday May 09, 2020
In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with Jess Shoman of Chicago band Tenci. Jess shares how the pandemic caused her to return home mid-tour, waking up with mush-brain, her upcoming video and album release, and more!
Listen to Tenci here: https://tenci.bandcamp.com/
Listen to my music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1qyxydosK6a3Z52stGG32K
Visit my website: http://jessicarisker.com
Jessica Risker is a musician based in Chicago, IL and a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC).
This episode of Music Therapy was streamed live on Instagram on May 9, 2020.
Friday May 08, 2020
Friday May 08, 2020
In this episode of Music Therapy, Jessica talks with Sima Cunningham of Chicago band Ohmme. Sima shares how the coronavirus pandemic forced her to postpone several upcoming tours and festival performances, how she's staying inspired and creating music during quarantine, thinking of ways to reach an audience while staying at home, and more!
Sunday May 03, 2020
Sunday May 03, 2020
In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with Sophie, the principal songwriter and vocalist of Chicago band Fauvely. Sophie shares how the pandemic forced her to cancel her SXSW show and Japanese tour, as well as put recording a new album on hold, the challenges of working on music in a one-bedroom apartment she shares with her partner, and more!
Listen to Fauvely here: https://fauvely.bandcamp.com/
Visit http://jessicarisker.com
Saturday May 02, 2020
Saturday May 02, 2020
In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with Erin Elizabeth Birgy, the main force behind the band Megabog. Erin talks about how she manages to get a backing band together despite multiple moves around the country, her daily routine, wanting to settle in New Mexico, the forced slowdown of quarantine, and more!
Listen to Megabog here: https://megabog.bandcamp.com/
Listen to my music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1qyxydosK6a3Z52stGG32K
Visit my website: http://jessicarisker.com
Jessica Risker is a musician based in Chicago, IL and a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC).
This episode of Music Therapy was streamed live on May 2, 2020.
Friday May 01, 2020
Friday May 01, 2020
In this episode of Music Therapy, I interview my Western Vinyl labelmate Peter Oren, who recently released a new album "A Greener Pasture". He talks about life during quarantine, making music his main source of income, doing his own PR, and why he chose to settle in Bloomington, IN instead of LA, and more!
Listen to Peter Oren and buy the album here: https://peteroren.bandcamp.com/
Listen to my music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1qyxydosK6a3Z52stGG32K
Visit my website: http://jessicarisker.com
Jessica Risker is a musician based in Chicago, IL and a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC).
This episode was streamed live on Instagram on May 1, 2020.
Saturday Apr 25, 2020
Saturday Apr 25, 2020
In this episode of Music Therapy, I interview Emily Jane Powers about how her life and music have been impacted by quarantine.
Check out Emily Jane Powers here: https://emilyjanepowers.bandcamp.com/
This episode was recorded on Instagram Live on April 25, 2020.
Listen to my music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1qyxydosK6a3Z52stGG32K
Visit my website: http://jessicarisker.com Jessica Risker is a musician based in Chicago, IL and a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC).