Music Therapy with Jessica Risker

Episode 71: Macie Stewart Needs Some Alone Time

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 musictherapypodcast.com for show notes, past episodes, and events!
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 70: Andrew Sa Is Better With Others

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 Notes
Credits: 
Music Therapy is hosted by Jessica Risker, produced by Sullivan Davis of Local Universe, and engineered by Joshua Wentz. Opening and closing music composed by Joshua Wentz.
 
  

Episode 69: Hausu Mountain Will Dominate the World + live performance by Pepper Mill Rondo

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 and electronics + artists.  This interview features an extended interview as well as a live performance with the pair.
 
This episode was recorded with a live audience at Cafe Mustache on July 14, 2021 in Chicago.
Credits: 
Music Therapy is hosted by Jessica Risker, produced by Sullivan Davis of Local Universe, and engineered by Joshua Wentz. Opening and closing music composed by Joshua Wentz.

Episode 68: Nathan Graham Keeps His Cool

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 and upcoming gigs, and more! 
Show Notes
This episode was recorded live on Instagram on July 21, 2021.
Credits: 
Music Therapy is hosted by Jessica Risker, produced by Sullivan Davis of Local Universe, and engineered by Joshua Wentz. Opening and closing music composed by Joshua Wentz.

Episode 67: Jess Viscius of BNNY on Grief and Making An Album Blue

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, and engineered by Joshua Wentz. Opening and closing music composed by Joshua Wentz.

Episode 66: Chris Koltay’s Rock and Roll Fantasy

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 Universe, and engineered by Joshua Wentz. Opening and closing music composed by Joshua Wentz.

Episode 65: All about SONGWRITING! with Jean Cochrane of Hard Femme

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 Notes
Credits: 
Hosted by Jessica Risker
Produced by Sullivan Davis
Episode engineered by Joshua Wentz
Opening and closing music by Joshua Wentz

Episode 64: Girl K Talks Songwriting, Finding Each Other and Crying in The Green Room

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 performance by Girl K!!
Listen to Girl K:  https://girlk.bandcamp.com/
Show Notes: https://www.musictherapypodcast.com/ep-64-girl-k-show-notes
 
Credits: 
Hosted by Jessica Risker
Produced by Sullivan Davis
Episode engineered by Joshua Wentz
Opening and closing music by Joshua Wentz
Taped live at Cafe Mustache in Chicago
 

Episode 63: Dr Lauren Neaman on Social Anxiety in the Time of Covid & Being A Social Being

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.musictherapypodcast.com/ep-63-dr-lauren-neaman
 
BIO: Dr. Lauren Neaman is a Clinical Psychologist and Chief Clinical Officer at The Depression and Anxiety Specialty Clinic of Chicago. She specializes in treating anxiety disorders using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP). Primarily, she works with clients with OCD, Social Anxiety, Trauma and Panic Disorder. She has a second specialty in sleep disorders and work with clients with Insomnia. Dr. Neaman has presented at national conferences on topics related to social anxiety and treating clients who require more intensive services. Additionally, she is the current Co-Chair and a Board Member of The National Social Anxiety Center (NSAC). At NSAC, we aim to educate the public, and disseminate the latest research to clinicians who treat social anxiety. When she's not working, she loves to cook, travel, and explore new neighborhoods with her husband and pit bull, Nona.
 
Credits: 
Hosted by Jessica Risker
Episode engineered by Joshua Wentz
Opening and closing music by Joshua Wentz
 
 
 

Episode 62: Adam Schubert (ULNA, Cafe Racer) Talks Addiction, Recovery, and Staying Sober in the Music Scene

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.  He shares what it's like to remain sober while being an active musician, and his latest album OEA.  Finally, we discover our shared love of all things Beck!  
SHOW NOTES / TRANSCRIPT:
https://www.musictherapypodcast.com/ep-62-adam-schubert
 
Songs featured on episode:
"I Was A Monster" by ULNA on OEA via Born Yesterday Records
"Niacin" by Jessica Risker
 
Listen to ULNA:  https://ulnatheband.bandcamp.com/album/oea-2
Visit https://www.musictherapypodcast.com
 
Credits: 
Hosted by Jessica Risker
Episode engineered by Joshua Wentz
Opening and closing music by Joshua Wentz