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
Saturday Sep 05, 2020
Saturday Sep 05, 2020
In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with Sarah Jane Quillin of Desert Liminal. Sarah talks about playing her biggest show ever at the beginning of this year, sitting on a completed album, her dual paths of research biologist and musician, talks about how gut bacteria can impact our behavior and moods, what she misses about the Chicago DIY scene, her comedy show Casual Agony at Cafe Mustache, and more!!
Listen to Desert Liminal: https://desertliminal.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).
Saturday Aug 22, 2020
Saturday Aug 22, 2020
In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with Natalie Chami of TALsounds. She shares what it’s like to be a music teacher for CPS during the pandemic, her feelings on making money as a independent musician and performer, her personal experience with therapy and anxiety, why she feels it’s best to work on music every day, and more!!
This conversation originally aired via Instagram Live on August 22, 2020. Please excuse the poor sound quality during my song, due to Instagram's compression.
Learn more about TALsounds: http://talsounds.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).
Saturday Aug 15, 2020
Saturday Aug 15, 2020
In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with Sullivan Davis of The Hideout Chicago, a well-respected music venue located between the Lincoln Park and Bucktown neighborhoods of Chicago. Sullivan shares what steps The Hideout is taking to survive the pandemic, the impact quarantine has on agents and booking agencies, what makes the Chicago music scene unique, how to support The Hideout, and more!
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).
Saturday Aug 01, 2020
Saturday Aug 01, 2020
In this episode of Music Therapy, Britt Julious talks about her career as a writer and music journalist, her take on the fragmentation of Chicago music scene and how that contributes to the different sounds coming out of Chicago, what makes Chicago music special, and how the pandemic has impacted Chicago music, and more!
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).
Saturday Jul 25, 2020
Saturday Jul 25, 2020
In this episode of Music Therapy, I interview Coleman Brice, owner of Cole's Bar in Logan Square. Cole talks about how he started the business, the changing clientele of Logan Square through the years, how the business is weathering the pandemic, advice for opening your own business, and more!
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).
Sunday May 31, 2020
Sunday May 31, 2020
In this episode, I talk with Anna Holmquist of Chicago band Ester, as well as the creator and host of Bad Songwriter Podcast (highly recommended!). This episode was recorded on May 31, 2020 - Anna and I are both shaken up by the death of George Floyd and the ensuing protests. Anna talks about their experience protesting, as well as how their life and music have been impacted by the pandemic, what Anna is doing to take care of their mental health during the pandemic, and more.
Listen to Ester: https://estermusic.bandcamp.com/
Listen to Bad Songwriter Podcast: https://badsongwriter.fireside.fm/
Tuesday May 26, 2020
Tuesday May 26, 2020
In this episode of Music Therapy, I share places and resources to look for a therapist, what kinds of things to look for in a therapist, and ways to cover the costs of therapy.
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 26, 2020.
Saturday May 23, 2020
Saturday May 23, 2020
In this episode of Music Therapy, I interview Erik Hall of In Tall Buildings. Erik talks about the patchwork way he's made music endeavors his only source of income, his newest album, his changing feelings about touring, considering the audience while composing, and more!
Listen to Erik Hall here: http://westernvinyl.com/artists/erik-hall.php
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 23, 2020.
Friday May 22, 2020
Friday May 22, 2020
In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with Blake Norris of Audiotree. Blake talks about his journey with depression, suicidal ideation, learning the signs he's becoming depressed, fatherhood, how Audiotree is adapting to quarantine, Audiotree's relationship with Chicago venues Lincoln Hall and Schubas, and more!
Monday May 18, 2020
Monday May 18, 2020
In this episode, I interview Chicago vocalist and music teacher Sacha Mullin.