About Us

Hey there! I’m Erica Barker — but most folks just call me Moose.

I’m a Tennessee-based creative consultant and independent contractor working at the intersection of artist development, creative operations, and mental health. My passion is helping artists, musicians, and creative humans build careers that are not only successful, but sustainable — grounded in their values, fueled by curiosity, and protected from burnout. 

When I’m not supporting others, I’m bringing a lifetime of wild ideas to life through Lake Ramen Studio Productions. The cozy creative haven I founded and co-operate with my longtime friend (and fellow chaos conjurer) Angelo, aka Lon3Wolf. We've been friends for close to 15 years and dreaming up projects just as long. Now we finally have the space to make them real.

You’ll also find me wandering the internet under RicDaMoose, where I share personal reflections, mental health check-ins, media reviews, and short-form content that’s part moose-brained, part therapeutic. My "Moose Tunes Monday" series spotlights songs and artists I love — and gives me an excuse to gush about good music on a weekly basis.

Why do I do all this?
Because I know what it’s like to be overwhelmed by possibility — full of ideas but unsure where to start. (Trust me, I was there for years.) I’ve felt the pressure to “make it” and seen how the creative world can lift people up or burn them out.

I wanted a place to create all my creative ideas and help others do the same. I do this work to be a steady hand, a curious collaborator, and sometimes just the voice that reminds you:

You don’t have to do it alone.

I believe in creating what ignites your soul.
I believe in supporting and uplifting the underdog.
I believe knowledge is meant to be shared.

“Knowledge is worthless unless you share it.”
— My Dad

Angelo Cortesi — aka Lon3Wolf — is the other half of the forest chaos around here. As co-operator of Lake Ramen Studios productions, he helps bring our weirdest ideas to life through thoughtful production, behind-the-scenes magic, and a whole lot of design wizardry.

A game design student and creative jack-of-all-trades, Angelo wears many hats — sometimes simultaneously. Whether he’s handling animation layouts, audio cleanup, scene transitions, or structural planning, he approaches each task with focus, flexibility, and a deep love for the craft.

He’s the kind of person who can quietly build a full universe from scratch — and then surprise you with a perfectly timed joke mid-recording. Goofy, clever, and deeply kind, Angelo brings a grounded energy to the studio: someone who genuinely listens, thinks things through, and cares about making the world (and our content) a little better.

Outside of the studio, he’s passionate about environmental conservation, thoughtful storytelling, and creating spaces where nerds, artists, and oddballs alike feel welcome. Whether he's co-hosting The Forest Files, developing Pair of Normals, or just fixing something Moose accidentally broke — Angelo is the steady presence that keeps Lake Ramen running smoothly.

Would he ever say all this about himself? Absolutely not. That’s why Moose wrote it for him. You're welcome, Angelo.