HK Blog

The following is an archival interview from 2022. The author of the blog, Gabriel Gamlin, had the pleasure of interviewing a friend and contemporary, Stalker. At the time of this interview, Stalker was going by a different moniker, Rockin Riley. This interview was written during the rollout and development of the album "the last one." The interview was archived during a refresh of the blog. Thanks for having me. Let's start out with some basics. What are your preferred pronouns, and where are you from? Ok ok so uhm, basic overview of the "artist in question," me, uhhh... Hi, I'm Riley, also known as Rockin' Riley or to some in the more obscure scenes, Riley from the band in purgatory "Soft Core Doors."  I'm from the deepest depths of Alabama, aka Coffee Springs, and my pronouns are she/they/it. Thank you. Did you pick the name Rockin' Riley, or is there some other story behind it? Well, haha, it's sort of a funny story. It started o...

When I was younger, I'd express my frustration with my fingers. I would mangle and tense my fingers so much. It's just about getting that pressure out, the intensity. I don't do that anymore because I ironed it out of my personality. It was a sacrifice I made, to be more personable. I think it was the right decision. Nowadays my fingers ache and stiffen without any help. I crack my knuckles every other second just to manage anxiety. It's been getting worse, because it's spread to my jaw. My jaw, it's become a bit restless. It twitches and stings in the daytime, it rolls and grinds in the night. I was grinding my teeth last night, and I wasn't even asleep yet. My jaw starts to waver and twitch when I'm struggling to manage my frustration. I don't know why I decided to start writing this stuff down. I think it helps, but not in any ways that matter. I think, maybe I'm not giving it enough time, not looking at it from the right angle. I'm a litt...

I've been trying to be better person in my own head. I'm trying to be grateful for the things I have, the blessings bestowed upon me. It was a privilege to spend those hours with my family this holiday. There is so much love; there is so much right about seeing their smiling faces. I didn't want it to end. I think thats part of what's wrong with me. It was a privilege to hear from my beloved today. I learn so much from hearing them talk. From our conversations, I gain clarity about everything. Even in difficult moments I feel comfort in their presence. It's been a rough week, but I wouldn't spend it with anyone else. Except, I do think I've been craving some things I haven't earned, some things that maybe I shouldn't have right now. I feel like I have anxious-attatchment problems, I think thats what the other zoomers are calling it online. There are thinkpieces I could write, but I'd rather not do that. I don't know the inner lives of anyone ...

I've been thinking about Remas and her family more lately. Remas is a friend from Gaza City. She's Palestinian, and has a daughter. She has lost her husband in the war, and has to raise her daughter on her own. Remas is 23. Remas is only one year older than me. Me and Remas check in on each other every other day. Sometimes they message me first, sometimes I message them first. We ask each other about our day, how we are feeling. We are just casual friends online, but I feel at ease when talking to her.  I usually don't have a lot of money, but when I have enough, I make an effort to donate to her. Seeing her happy even just for a second lights up my day. When I don't hear from her, I get worried. Every day I don't hear from her I get worried sick. Sometimes I wonder if she's really on the other end. Like, maybe they found her phone. Maybe the Zionists were onto her. I think, what if the bombings were too close again? What if they didn't make it? Every time t...

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Stuff I made

I posted this on my Bandcamp and then deleted it. I guess I haven't grown up as much as I thought I did.