Hardigrade releases dreamy new single

Stephen Woida Jr., who performs under Hardigrade, has recorded experimental music in the Lansing scene for years. His new single, “Headstrong,” shows the songwriter exploring new sonic territories and melodies. Woida, 29, spoke with City Pulse about this new musical path and his forthcoming series of singles.

Looking back, what was your introduction to music? Stephen Woida Jr.:

Before I seriously got into music, I took piano lessons in elementary school. Initially, I didn’t enjoy it, but it got the ball rolling. Later came guitar lessons in middle school. Around that time, The Beatles were the first spark that made me want to write songs and be in a band. I watched “The Beatles Anthology” religiously when I was a kid. I was hooked.

When did your new single “Headstrong” fi rst start to take shape?

I wrote it back in 2017 and 2018 but didn’t start tracking it until 2019 — using a very minimal setup in various basements and bedrooms in Lansing. I also worked on it at my parent’s house in Howell, so it’s been an on-and-off recording process for a few years. This also applies to a certain number of songs from my back catalog that I plan on releasing through 2023. Brendon Infante, who lives in Battle Creek, mixed the track. Blake Bickel at Dynamic Sound Service in Kalamazoo mastered it. Both did a phenomenal job.

Anything, in particular, inspire the words?

“Headstrong” is about how people can sometimes be lost in their stubbornness while also seeking validation from someone they hold in high regard. It’s about the complexity of a personality and how things are not always cut and dry.

This new single seems to be in a new, guitar-centered direction for Hardigrade — a departure from the fully-experimental terrain. What inspired this shift?

My love for dream pop, indie rock and shoegaze bands played a huge part in terms of infl uence — bands like The Sundays, Slowdive, The La’s, Snail Mail and Alvvays. Also, being a member of (the Lansing-based band) Luxury Flux is fun and inspired me to take my own stab at the style.

There’s a lot of music on your Hardigrade Bandcamp page. How would you compare your early tracks to your new recordings?

It’s like night and day. In the beginning, I was making a lot of darkish ambient and experimental stuff . Soundscapes and all that, with the occasional song thrown in. It was a mess in terms of direction, but I’m glad I did it. It was a great learning experience. With these new releases, I’m starting fresh, so I’m making a new Bandcamp for them to live in — to separate the eras.