Music Therapy with Jessica Risker

In this episode, Jake Acosta of Lake Paradise Records takes us on a ride of thoughts and feelings and plays a Silver Jews song and gives us a tour of his setup. I play a new song "I Miss You My Friends".  And more! We had fun!!

Lake Paradise Records: https://lakeparadiserecords.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).

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).

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).

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).

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).

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).

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/

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.

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.

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!