ArtistInfo

Deadbeat

A.k.a. Jessica Risker

DEADBEAT is Jessica Risker, a musician and artist based in Chicago, Illinois. Risker’s music fluctuates between electro-psychedelic/experimental albums and psych-folk songs. From the dream-soaked harmonies of ‘Moon’ to the neopsychedelic/garage rocker ’Won’t You Meet Us In Vegas?’, DEADBEAT’s continuous genre shifting is inspired by dual desires to 1) experiment with soundscapes made possible by modern recording techniques, and 2) craft melodies, lyrics, and structures pared down to their most basic elements. In 2012, Risker was named Chicago’s “Emerging Artist of the Year” by The Deli Magazine. Frequenting open mics, serving as an engineer’s assistant at a recording studio, and an active participant in Chicago’s DIY music scene, Risker has spent the past decade developing her sound and honing her recording/engineering skills. In 2015 and 2016 Risker was awarded two independent artist grants from the city of Chicago, resulting in two 2016 releases: Big Forever, an ever-shifting continuous eighteen-minute piece of electro-psychedelic music released via Already Dead Tapes & Records, and Soft Moons: Twenty Lullabies, an album of original instrumental music-box lullabies. To date, Risker has recorded and released a total of 8 albums and played hundreds of live performances. She continues to perform regularly in Chicago and across North America. Risker is currently recording a 9-song psych/space-folk album with an anticipated release date of summer/fall 2017. DEADBEAT performs both solo and as a group: Jessica Risker - songwriter, vocals, guitar Joshua Wentz - keyboard/synths, drum machines, electronix Jarrett Hothan - bass Adam Wiebe - drums

Genres

• Rock
• Electronic
• R&B/Soul
• Dance
• Folk