Meet Cody Riker

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cody Riker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cody, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

What a funny question. I think I still don’t believe I’m real sometimes- just a collection of impressions and data logged and left on a hard drive somewhere- but when I look at myself in the mirror, I see a face that looks familiar. About a year and a half ago, I started talking to myself. I’m an only child, so this isn’t exactly uncommon behavior, but I stared myself down in the mirror one day and decided that if anybody was going to guide me, it should be me.
When I was younger (and not sober), I could not look myself in the eyes. I would have goosebumps break out all over my skin, and I felt like I was facing the devil. I scared myself. Nowadays, I look myself in the eye and I speak to myself as if I were my own child- a child deserving of compassion, and forgiveness, and love. I tell him what he needs to hear. And little by little, I become real.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

When I am not teaching elementary music, I am a songwriter and performer. In July 2024, I released a new EP, “4REAL” on streaming services, and relocated from the South to the PNW shortly after. I am inspired by the great confessional songwriters of the 90’s and alternative rock, and like to think my music calls back to that era.
I have always wanted to help bolster my LGBTQIA2S+ community, so I recently launched the first Chosen Family Songwriter Circle at the Rose City Book Pub in Portland. It’s a space for queer identifying performers to share the stage with me and have their stories amplified. So much of hatred is rooted in fear and misunderstanding; While providing a safe space for queer art to be shared, I hope that the normalization of our experiences brings more open-mindedness in these polarizing times.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

A. Tell the truth. If you aren’t being honest, the audience can tell.
B. You’re going to mess up on stage. Half the time, they will not notice that you did. Keep it pushing. They don’t know how your music is “supposed to go”.
C. Be kind to people. People don’t want to be your FAN, they want to be your friend. You’d be surprised what people will do for their friends.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I get back in touch with nature. I take my shoes off; I feel the grass beneath my feet. I listen to what my body is telling me. I put the phone down. I close my eyes, listen, and let the world fall away for a moment. Consciousness is a singular thing; the same light that shines in your eyes shines in another. We’re not really all that different from each other.

Contact Info:

• Website: Coming soon!
• Instagram: Codyrikerpdx

Image Credits

Jonathan Moon
Sasha Robertson