Music Therapy with Jessica Risker

Episode 101: Lizzie No, Harps, and Hired Guns

In this episode of Music Therapy, Lizzie No and I dig into touring, protecting her mental health while on tour, how Lizzie knows she's spending too much time on social media, her definition of success, and lots more!
 
Songs featured in episode:  "Sweeter Than Strychnine" and "Stop Bothering Me" by Lizzie No
 
Visit musictherapypodcast.com for show notes, past episodes, and upcoming events!
Music Therapy Podcast Credits: 
Music Therapy is hosted by Jessica Risker, produced by Sullivan Davis of Local Universe, and engineered by Joshua Wentz in Chicago. 
Opening and closing music composed by Joshua Wentz.  Instrumental interstitial music by David Yontz. 
 

Episode 100: 100 Episodes!!!

This is our 100th episode!  Jessica and Josh reflect on what we've learned so far through our 100 interviews with artists.  Thank you guys for listening to the podcast - here's to 100 more!
Visit musictherapypodcast.com for show notes, past episodes, and upcoming events!
Songs included: "Disco Smile" and "Stay" by Jessica Risker/DEADBEAT
Visit musictherapypodcast.com for show notes, past episodes, and upcoming events!
Music Therapy Podcast Credits: 
Music Therapy is hosted by Jessica Risker, produced by Sullivan Davis of Local Universe, and engineered by Joshua Wentz in Chicago. 
Opening and closing music composed by Joshua Wentz.  Instrumental interstitial music "Hangin' With the Boys in the Enchanted Forest" and "The Summer Mort Became Interested" by David Yontz.  
 
 

Episode 99: Moving to L.A. Pt 2 (maybe) (with Uma Bloo)

Uma Bloo is a pool.
Uma Bloo is the persona of Molly Madden, a musician from Chicago who is maybe thinking about possibly moving to LA.  Molly worked on an album for years and released it and then left her band and is currently in total flux with music, where it lives in her life, her goals, and what it all means. 
This is a very vulnerable place for a musician to be and totally relatable, and Molly explores it all in this episode of Music Therapy. 
Songs featured in episode:  "To Be Vast" and "Don't Drive Into the Smoke" by Uma Bloo
 
Visit musictherapypodcast.com for show notes, past episodes, and upcoming events!
Music Therapy Podcast Credits: 
Music Therapy is hosted by Jessica Risker, produced by Sullivan Davis of Local Universe, and engineered by Joshua Wentz in Chicago. 
Opening and closing music composed by Joshua Wentz.  Instrumental interstitial music by David Yontz. 
 

Episode 98: Moving to L.A. Pt 1 (with BRIDEY)

How do you start over in a new city? 
Bridey Hicks (BRIDEY) is moving from Chicago to LA.  We discuss the reasons behind her move, her approach for joining the LA music community, why Chicagoans are the best people,  transitioning from comedy to music, her songwriting process, working solo vs with a band, and recordings vs live performance. 
She also debuts a brand-new single called "The Light" from her upcoming EP.
Songs featured in episode: "The Light" and "Decisions Make Me Sick In The Head" by BRIDEY
Visit musictherapypodcast.com for show notes, past episodes, and upcoming events!
Music Therapy Podcast Credits: 
Music Therapy is hosted by Jessica Risker, produced by Sullivan Davis of Local Universe, and engineered by Joshua Wentz in Chicago. 
Opening and closing music composed by Joshua Wentz.  Instrumental music by David Yontz. 
 

Episode 97: Mike Meegan of RXM Reality Waxes on Samples, Sobriety, and Social Media

On this episode of Music Therapy I talk with one of my favorite artists Mike Meegan of RXM Reality!  We discuss getting sober, dig deep into Mike's music-making process, complain about social media and learn about Mike's favorite gear and DAWs.
Songs featured on episode:  "Big Forever" by Jessica Risker & RXM Reality
"Thank You" and "Life is Shit" by RXM Reality
Visit musictherapypodcast.com for show notes, past episodes, and upcoming events!
Music Therapy Podcast Credits: 
Music Therapy is hosted by Jessica Risker, produced by Sullivan Davis of Local Universe, and engineered by Joshua Wentz in Chicago. 
Opening and closing music composed by Joshua Wentz.

Episode 96: What Happens When Fame Fades?

We are a culture obsessed with the pursuit of fame - but what happens when fame fades away? 
Nick Duerden, author of "Exit Stage Left: The Curious Afterlife of Pop Stars" explores this question through candid interviews with pop stars who were once on top of the world.  Nick joins us on this episode of Music Therapy to discuss the book, his insights and takeaways about the ups and downs of fame and life beyond. 
 
Visit musictherapypodcast.com for show notes, past episodes, and upcoming events!
Music Therapy Podcast Credits: 
Music Therapy is hosted by Jessica Risker, produced by Sullivan Davis of Local Universe, and engineered by Joshua Wentz in Chicago. 
Opening and closing music composed by Joshua Wentz.
 
 

Episode 95: Four Comedians Start a Band...or, Group Session with Boo Baby!

Hilarity and shenanigans ensue when Chicago 4-piece Boo Baby takes the couch at Cafe Mustache! The band shares their performance philosophy and tells us who are better humans: musicians or comedians?
Special guest Leslie Tanner takes us on yet another spirit-expanding Exploration, Julia Louis-Dreyfus may or may not have been in the audience, and Boo Baby gives a special live performance in this week's episode!
 
Features an in-depth interview with the band, comedy, and a special live performance by Boo Baby.  
This episode was taped live at Cafe Mustache on May 11, 2022.
Boo Baby is a Chicago rock act looking, above all, to put on a show. One review described their shows "a meditation joy” and it’s true! Discovering their live show feels like stumbling on a mom and pop gas station; friendly, local faces happy to keep your motor runnin'.
Founders Kevin Tellie and Robert Salazar share a back-of-the-bus wit and musical interplay that comes from playing together for 10+ years, starting in the basements and backyards of Scranton, Pennsylvania. After a Spinal Tap-like rotation of drummers, the band has found their Ringo in experimental artist Thomas Huston, who adds a drum dimension both heady for the college crowd and groovy for the stoned. And now there’s lead guitarist Sam Kelarakis-Taylor. The man shreds like he just got out of jail. And he DID (he got caught stealing bowling balls).
Their latest album, The Opening Band, is o.u.t. via Summersteps Records. Loose-knit yet classy, it celebrates the idea of the band as a vessel of art and heart. Hold your applause, please “boo.”
 
Visit musictherapypodcast.com for show notes, past episodes, and upcoming events!
Music Therapy Podcast Credits: 
Music Therapy is hosted by Jessica Risker, produced by Sullivan Davis of Local Universe, and engineered by Joshua Wentz in Chicago. 
Opening and closing music composed by Joshua Wentz.
 

Episode 94: How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome (with guest therapist Dr. Lincoln Hill)

Have you ever felt like people are going to find out you're a fraud, or that you don't really deserve the success you've had?
Dr Lincoln Hill is a Chicago therapist who specializes in Imposter Syndrome.  In this episode of Music Therapy, Dr. Hill and Jessica discuss Imposter Syndrome.  We give you an understanding of Imposter Syndrome,  how it can impact you, and helpful ways to overcome it.   
Song featured on the podcast: "Zero Summer Mind" by Jessica Risker
Visit musictherapypodcast.com for show notes, past episodes, and upcoming events!
Music Therapy Podcast Credits: 
Music Therapy is hosted by Jessica Risker, produced by Sullivan Davis of Local Universe, and engineered by Joshua Wentz in Chicago. 
Opening and closing music composed by Joshua Wentz.
 
 
 

Episode 93: Dustin Currier (Lightleak) Quits His Job, How to Make a Creative Space, and Binary Thinking

In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with Dustin Currier of Lightleak! 
Dustin talks about
quitting his job to work on music,
how his studio space setup helps him be more creative,
the limits and strengths of binary thinking,
making an album remotely,
and his most recent album "Tender Fits" 
Songs featured on the podcast: "No Icon" and "Sympathetic Vibration" by Dustin Currier
Visit musictherapypodcast.com for show notes, past episodes, and upcoming events!
Music Therapy Podcast Credits: 
Music Therapy is hosted by Jessica Risker, produced by Sullivan Davis of Local Universe, and engineered by Joshua Wentz in Chicago. 
Opening and closing music composed by Joshua Wentz.
 
 
 

Episode 92: Daniel Wyche on Quarantine Concerts, Getting Older, and the Chicago Music Scene

On this episode of Music Therapy I talk with Daniel Wyche of American Dreams Records!  
Daniel talks about:
His newest album “Earthwork” via American Dreams Records!
Curating the wildly successful Quarantine Concerts via Experimental Sound Studio
balancing teaching and making music
mental health
the Chicago music scene
getting older
and lots more!
Songs featured: "Earthwork" (excerpt) and "The Elephant -Whale II" by Daniel Wyche from the album Earthwork
 
Visit musictherapypodcast.com for show notes, past episodes, and upcoming events!
Music Therapy Podcast Credits: 
Music Therapy is hosted by Jessica Risker, produced by Sullivan Davis of Local Universe, and engineered by Joshua Wentz in Chicago. 
Opening and closing music composed by Joshua Wentz.