Hi, Strangers. To say it’s been a while would be an understatement. I just wanted to give a proper update to anyone who’s still checking in, since I never did a proper “send off.”
I left social media publicly in 2019, about a year after the band played our last show. My wellbeing took a severe downturn during the years of being in the Strange, and the lows kept getting lower. Although I loved performing and writing music and bringing it to life with my friends, I had been living my life on display or “chronically online” since I started releasing music on MySpace when I was 14. I genuinely believe that we are not meant to be perceived by hundreds or thousands of people on a regular basis - at least, I’m not. Toward the end of the band days, I found myself praying every night when I fell asleep that I would not wake up. I did not want to be here anymore. Antidepressants and therapy were not helping me overcome these feelings. I became the worst version of myself. I lost myself in who people thought “LaRissa Vienna” was, so much so that I didn’t remember who just “Riss” was. For my wellbeing and for my family, I had to make changes. For the first time in my life, I decided to lay low and take a break from the public eye. I don’t say this lightly when I say that stepping away saved my life.
I was thinking my “break” would be temporary. But the transformation in my mental and physical wellbeing was so incredible that, six years later, I still do not have the desire to step back into the public eye. I have learned to stop “performing” and start living. It’s made me a better person, friend, daughter, sister, and wife. I have not been depressed in years. The healing I was so desperate for found its way to me.
I still do not have Facebook. A friend of mine “runs” my page and still sees your comments. He lets me know whenever I get a message. It’s usually people wondering where I am or what happened to me. If I were ever actually famous I’m sure I’d end up on a clickbait-y “Where are they now?” article lol. Just know I miss you all too. So much. Here’s the cliff notes of what I’ve been up to.
In my late 20s, I decided to go to college for the first time. I got a degree in mortuary science and became a mortician. I have had the honor of helping countless families say goodbye to their loved ones and lay them to rest, and it’s been one of the greatest honors of my life.
Luke and I just celebrated 10 years of marriage and have been enjoying new hobbies, new passions, and being the childless cool auntie and uncle. We love our cozy life with our dog Bananas.
In August of 2025, my life changed forever when I lost my brother Bryce. Many of you had the pleasure of knowing him as well, as he collaborated with the band for recordings and live shows. Losing my brother has altered my world and changed my perspective on everything. It reminds me to tie up any loose ends, and more importantly, to let people know that I love and care about them before any of us run out of time. I know I don’t “owe” anybody an explanation of why I disappeared. Those who know me personally know it was the best thing I ever did for my mental health. But I just want to be so clear that even though I don’t post online anymore, please know I’m okay, and finally better than okay, and that I will forever be grateful for every single one of you who listened to our music, came to our shows, shared your love of the music online, and so much more. If I could see you all at one big reunion and hug everyone again, I would. I still have every single note, gift, fan art that was given to me and I’ll cherish them forever. Those eleven years of being in the Denver music scene will fondly stay with me for the rest of my life. What an absolute ride we had, and it wouldn’t have been possible without those who cared about our music. I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart and I’ll always cherish those years that our lives intertwined. I hope you’re all doing amazing. To whomever is even left reading this, thank you.
2025 has brought me a loss I can never replace. Thank you for letting me pop up and express my very overdue gratitude. I hope 2026 takes all the love you gave and gives it right back to you, and more.
With so much love, Riss