Music Therapy with Jessica Risker

Episode 61: Brian Case of FACS Talks Success, Collaboration, Being a Musician Dad and a Dad of a Musician

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 Case was a teenager when he got on board the music train with 90 Day Men, and he’s been on it ever since. Based in Chicago, he was second guitarist with garage rockers Ponys and the stern vocal center of Disappears. Currently he leads FACS, a trio that pares Disappears’ dynamic sound to starker, more monolithic essence.  FACS use minimalism and space to create abstract, modern art rock. 
Songs featured in episode: 
"Won't You Meet Us In Vegas?" by Jessica Risker off "Big Forever" via Already Dead Tapes & Records
"Strawberry Cough" by FACS off "Present Tense" via Trouble in Mind Records
Listen to FACS: https://wearefacs.bandcamp.com/music
Visit https://www.musictherapypodcast.com
Credits: 
Hosted by Jessica Risker
Episode engineered by Joshua Wentz
Opening and closing music by Joshua Wentz

Episode 60: Tasha Talks Softness, the Magic of Live Shows, and Being Present

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. Her debut album, Alone At Last, came out in 2018, and she has since released 2 singles. Tasha writes about softness, love, queerness, and rest. They believe in a world without prisons, police, or borders, and if you listen to their music, you should too.
 
Listen to Tasha:  https://www.wowtashawow.com/
Visit https://www.musictherapypodcast.com/

Ep 59: Tobacco City’s Love/Hate Relationship with the Music Business + Live Performance

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/
Visit https://musictherapypodcast.com

Episode 58: Jess Robbins of Course Balances Being a Musician and a Mom

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!!
 
Listen to Course: https://coursesounds.com/
Visit http://musictherapypodcast.com/
 

Episode 57: Ryan Suzuka of Blow Wind Blow Learns Harmonica in Secret

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/

Episode 56: Bill MacKay Shares His Dad’s Struggle with BiPolar Disorder, His New Album, and More!

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/

Episode 55: Interview with Sam Cantor of Minor Moon

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/

Episode 54: The Romanticization of Mental Illness - Interview with Bret Rodysill of The Record Summer

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/

Episode 53: Interview with Rami Atassi

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/
 

Episode 52: Interview with Mia Joy

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/