Episodios
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benjamin fawkes is the self-described "custodian" of Rozz-Tox, a space which defines itself as "a listening bar, cafe, performance venue, gallery, culture cell, guesthouse, cinema, club; a virus whose ultimate goal is to constantly mutate to avoid becoming part of mainstream culture."
Located in Rock Island, IL, inspired by ben's time running a space in China, opened by he and his mom, named after Gary Panter's Rozz Tox Manifesto - we go into it all.
This is the story of one of the best spaces in the country - maybe the world?
Featuring music from the album "Big Forever"
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Visit musictherapypodcast.com for session 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.
Ep 121
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Join us on the Music Therapy Discord! or Facebook Group!
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Jawson Dell is a Chicago musician by way of Colorado, influenced by RnB, jazz, funk, rock, and the blues. He's also a Certified Public Accountant.
These facts lead us down some interesting paths, including the tension between music and business, how American Idol influenced Jawson's music career. We also listen to a couple of tracks from Jawson.
Songs included in episode: "Windows Apart" and "Flow" by Jawson Dell
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Visit musictherapypodcast.com for session 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.
Ep 120
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Join us on the Music Therapy Discord! or Facebook Group!
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Group Session! Chicago's artsy post-punk Ovef Ow takes the couch as we dig into their minds, hearts, and souls about how they work together, managing the band, success, being part of the indie scene, and more. Ovef Ow gives a live performance.
My esteemed colleague Leslie Tanner co-hosts!
Many thanks to Joshua Wentz, Bret Koontz, Ralph Darski for capturing the sound, and of course Cafe Mustache for having us!
This episode was taped live at Cafe Mustache on May 10, 2023
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Visit musictherapypodcast.com for session 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.
Ep 119
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Join us on the Music Therapy Discord! or Facebook Group!
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Salami Rose Joe Louis has a killer new album out called "Akousmatikous" (via Flying Lotus' Brainfeeder Records) and I am a massive fan. She is fantastically creative, thoughtful, and incredibly nice.
We dig into the perils of obsessively working on music, how she approached the concept of the album, her creative and recording process, social media, AI, "authenticity", and a ton more.
We also listen to two tracks off her new album: "Akousmatikous" and "Dimcola Reprise".
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Visit musictherapypodcast.com for session 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.
Taped April 2023
Ep 118
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Join us on the Music Therapy Discord! or Facebook Group!
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Humans are group-ish beings! Whether it's your family, your friends, your band, your artist community, your country, etc., we all belong to groups. Whether we realize it or not, groups have a powerful impact on our own thoughts and behaviors.
In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with science writer and journalist Michael Bond, author of "The Power of Others: Peer Pressure, Groupthink, and How the People Around Us Shape Everything We Do" and his newest book "Fans: A Journey Into the Psychology of Belonging".
We explore the many ways we're impacted by groups, the forces that make a group healthy and communicative, and the insular, destructive echo chambers of groupthink.
This is a fascinating conversation that had me thinking for days - and I'm sure you'll find it fascinating, too.
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Songs included in episode: "Flowers on the Water" and "Better Not Lose Her" by Pretty Horse
Visit https://www.michaelbond.co.uk/
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Visit musictherapypodcast.com for session 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.
Taped May 2023
Ep 117
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Join us on the Music Therapy Discord! or Facebook Group!
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How do you honor your idols without being derivative? How do you start over in a new (york) city?
This week on Music Therapy I sit down with Dan Rico, a Chicago DIY scene fixture who moved to New York City right before the pandemic hit.
We get into creativity, live band recordings vs virtual instruments, SXSW takeaways, quitting drinking, finding a new music community in NYC, impostor syndrome, and lots more.
We also listen to a couple of new fantastic tracks from Dan: "Conceited" and " Hit and Run" plus a special bonus track "Better Company" that Dan and I collaborated on.
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Dan Rico is a songwriter, guitar player, and multi-instrumentalist from Chicago, IL living In Brooklyn, NY. Rico is a writes music and performs in the Surf rock group High Waisted and plays guitar in the grunge band Dropper, who just got back from South by South West. Rico also releases music under his own name, collating inspirations as disparate as Prince, T Rex, Os Mutantes, and Taylor Swift.
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Visit musictherapypodcast.com for session 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.
Taped April 2023
Ep 116
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Join us on the Music Therapy Discord! or Facebook Group!
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Chicago's Joka No Joke is a self-proclaimed "rap therapist" with a brand-new mixtape called "Recess".
In this episode of Music Therapy, we dig into the new-found freedom and playfulness Joka experienced while creating the album. We touch on his creative process, tapping into his inner child, his "New Cool" philosophy, reflections and changes in his life through the pandemic, how fatherhood has impacted Joka, and the importance of order.
We go deep but keep it moving! It's refreshing and inspiring to hear how Joka's relationship with music has evolved over the years.
Tracks featured in episode: "Reloaded" and "Order" by Joka No Joke.
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Visit musictherapypodcast.com for session 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.
Ep 115
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Join us on the Music Therapy Discord! or Facebook Group!
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The van's full of gas, the drums fit, and there's hope in your eyes!
Until
Arby's is getting old, you want a shower, and too much beer is taking a toll.
Touring can be amazing! But it's rarely the healthiest time of your life.
So we got four experienced touring musicians to share how to make touring healthier.
We cover:
SleepDiet Drugs/alcoholKeeping up with relationships back homeHow to keep band communication openFinancesEssential things to bring on tourAnd more! Featuring musicians Eric Novak, John Garrison, Eli Winter, and Lizzie No
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Visit musictherapypodcast.com for session 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.
Ep 114
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Join us on the Music Therapy Discord! or Facebook Group!
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Does social media make you feel like crap? Are you wondering why other artists are getting the press / shows / labels that you're not getting?
Today we dig into some of the more negative feelings that can arise for artists - especially when we compare ourselves to other musicians.
Jealousy / comparison / envy / resentment can feel bad, but it's telling you something! And, we can listen to those feelings, and actually make them useful!
On today's episode of Music Therapy, Jessica talks with therapist Rachael Jones all about how to listen to those feelings, understand them deeply, and then make an action plan that gets you what you want - in a way that aligns with your personal values.
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Rachael Jones is a licensed marriage and family therapist practicing in the Chicagoland area who works with individuals, couples, and families. Rachael’s work often centers on helping clients to deepen their understanding of themselves, their relationships, and their families, identifying what is and isn’t working well for them, and using this new found understanding to create meaningful change.
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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.
Interstitial music by David Yontz. Opening and closing music composed by Joshua Wentz.
Ep 113
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Join us on the Music Therapy Discord! or Facebook Group!
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Today, for a special Valentine's Day episode, we answer a question that has plagued musicians for thousands of years: Should you date your bandmate?
We talk to three musicians about their experience dating bandmates.
Leslie Tanner also drops by with a few words of wisdom.
If you have dated a bandmate or are considering dating a bandmate, this episode's for you!
Featuring Steve Malden (Sofas), Danielle Sines (Impulsive Hearts), and Emily Jane Powers + Alec Harryhausen (Dream Version).
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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.
Ep 112
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Join us on the Music Therapy Discord! or Facebook Group!
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In December of 2022, Pitchfork published an article, written by Jenn Pelly, called "Confronting Music's Mental Health Crisis". This article was passed around widely on the internet; obviously, it resonated with many musicians. Jenn and I dig deeper into her article, discussing her research and takeaways, bits that she left out of the article, and consider what role Pitchfork can serve regarding artists' mental health. We also identify resources for artists and offer concrete ways you can support mental health services. Song featured in episode: "Help Me, Help Me" by Jessica Risker
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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.
Ep 111
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Join us on the Music Therapy Discord! or Facebook Group!
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Jealousy is tough emotion, but can it be useful??
In this episode of Music Therapy, I chat with therapist/musician Ben Stover - who also co-hosts the Popcorn Psychology podcast - all about Artistic Jealousy.
We look a the ways it can manifest, how social media leads us to comparison and jealousy, and what you can do about it.
If you've ever felt envious of someone else's success or talent, sit back and face the feeling with us - and see how you can turn your jealousy into productivity in this episode of Music Therapy.
Join us on the Music Therapy Discord! https://discord.gg/htZM5QpBC3
Song featured in episode: "Hangin with the Boys in the Enchanted Forest" by eternal goofball David Yontz
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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.
Ep 110
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Así Así is a Mexican/American band from Chicago, IL. In August 2022, the band released their debut album, “Mal de Otros”, where Así Así blends rock, dance, and Latin themes together to form oftentimes haunting, yet upbeat and catchy songs.
On this episode of Music Therapy, taped live at Cafe Mustache, Jessica sits down with the full band to talk about work/art balance, how they create music together, mental health, and lots more!
Featuring a live performance by the band and a special guest appearance by Leslie Tanner!
Join the Music Therapy Discord! https://discord.gg/htZM5QpBC3
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In this episode of Music Therapy I talk with Chicago artist Alana Schactel of Lipsticsm. Lipsticism’s sound is frequently described as cosmic, dreamy, and psychedelic, and there is something immediate and sensual in her punchy drums and emotional honesty.
We cover a lot of ground in this episode! Alana is currently studying to become a therapist, so we discuss our shared experience in the worlds of music and therapy. We look at how music impacts mental health, the anxiety of performing solo vs with a group, and Alana’s new album “Two Mirrors Facing Each Other”, released December 2nd via Earth Libraries.
My favorite part of the conversation was learning Alana’s creative process. We discuss flow and those nights when it just isn’t happening. We also look at what it means to be a “successful” musician.
Songs featured in episode: "Transform" and "Sentimental" by Lipsticism
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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.
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Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! In the spirit of holiday traveling, we have an episode all about touring.
In October 2022, Isabel Olive (Half Gringa) posted the following on Instagram:
"Hey folks. A photo of me smiling because this is a tough one - I’ve decided to cancel the last four dates of the HG October tour in Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati. This was hard to make because I’m both the artist and the manager, but the manager in me looked at the writing on the wall and knew it was time to call it.
Touring is extra expensive and extra hard right now. Whether you’re a band on a support tour playing to sold out rooms trying to make enough on merch to cover expenses or (in my case) trying to win over a few groups of people at a time in 150 cap rooms while paying a band with your job money and hoping to break even, it is harder than it was before and what has happened in the last few years has caught up to a lot of us.
I’m 31, I work full time in a different industry in addition to being a musician to pay the band and make things work as best I can. But I am so sick of people devaluing art to the point that we’re relying on no income to make it. It’s untenable. And it’s why people are canceling tours and in some cases getting out of the industry all together.
I have so much more anger and feelings about this, but for now I’ll say: thanks to my incredible band, to everyone who came and saw us and bought merch, to the fellow musicians I met who commiserated with me and gave me some much needed words of encouragement. You’re the best part of this. To the folks in Boston, NYC, Philly - you can get refunds at your point of purchase and I promise I’ll see you out there again soon."
Josh first noticed Izzy's post and pointed me to it. We thought this would make a great episode. So many musicians are struggling with feeling valued in our culture.
Izzy and I talk about why she canceled her shows, and how this is impacting her music and career. She also shares how she’s adapting her approach to touring from now on.
For anyone else struggling with making touring work, this is a great episode that acknowledges the challenges facing musicians right now.
We also listen to Half Gringa’s brilliant new single “Miranda” off her upcoming EP, out January 27, 2023.
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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.
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What's it like to walk away from the music industry?
Steff Reed is a New York-based musician, educator, and activist. As a musician and producer, he has produced many tracks that have made it to Billboard Charts. As an educator, he has taught thousands of youth over the past 15 years, and was nominated for the Grammy Music Educator Award. As an activist, he is currently building a non-profit in Brooklyn called Power of Love.
We explore how Steff went from grinding in the NYC music industry to teaching to starting non-profits. Steff’s throughline is a total devotion of his life to social change, forward movement, hope and inspiration.
Like the title of the episode, there are some amazing nuggets of wisdom in here. I walked away from my conversation with Steff Reed totally inspired, which makes sense, because he’s an educator and a social justice worker and has been working in the music industry for years, and these are all things I believe in.
He shares why he pivoted away from the music industry, which he feels was a traumatic experience in some ways, to pursuing an independent music career more aligned with his own beliefs and values.
He also told me off-tape an important thing he learned producing music for the industry all these years: even if your track has heart, it’s gotta *slap* to hit the listener - a piece of advice I’m taking to heart as I work on my new album.
Steff says he’s hopeful about the future - so I am, too. Give it a listen.
Songs featured in episode:
"Get Free" and "Power of Love" by Steff Reed
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.
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There comes a time in every musician's career when you ask yourself: should you get a publicist?
In this episode of Music Therapy I talk with a real-life publicist, Colin Smith of Fresh Paint PR. Colin breaks down exactly what a publicist does, how a publicist chooses to work with someone (or not), and what you can do to make a PR campaign successful.
We also discuss the biggest question of all: what exactly does publicity accomplish for a musician? The answer may surprise you!
Song featured: "The Waves" by Jessica Risker. Interstitial music by David Yontz.
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.
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Group Session! Chicago art-punkers Spread Joy define once and for all the grand purpose of art, ponder "derivative" music, explain the methods behind their songwriting and give a killer live performance on this episode of Music Therapy. With special Exploration by the one and only Leslie Tanner!
This episode was taped live at Cafe Mustache on August 10, 2022.
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.
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In this episode of Music Therapy we talk with Duncan Sheik!
You might remember Duncan Sheik's 1996 chart topping hit “Barely Breathing.” That song racked up 55 consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned him a Grammy Award® nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
In the years since, Sheik has been celebrated for his work in musical theater, including the groundbreaking success of Spring Awakening, which won eight Tony Awards and a Grammy and is also the subject of the just released HBO Documentary - ‘Spring Awakening: Those You’ve Known.’
Duncan talks about his newest album "Claptrap", Buddhism, going through a mid-life crisis, his experience working as a musical artist in New York City, and his personal definition of success, all on this week's episode of Music Therapy!
Songs featured in episode: "Barely Breathing", "There's No Telling", "Requiescat", and "Maybe" by Duncan Sheik.
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.
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Annie Fish is a musician, cartoonist, and author based in Chicago, IL. In this episode of Music Therapy, I talk with Chicago musician Annie Fish about their new album “Weird Like Me”. “Weird Like Me” is a full length 90’s inspired rock album accompanied by an oral illustrated history, found at anniefish.net/weird.html.
Through the album’s concept, Annie explores her rock n roll dreams, considers what it would have been like to be a trans star in the MTV era, takes down the record industry, and comes to terms (mostly) with where she’s at.
Songs featured in episode: "Weird Like Me" and "Cranium" by Annie Fish
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.
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