Sid Sriram Instagram – The Hard Way is a song about not taking loved ones for granted. For me, the process of making it brought me back to the understanding of who my core circle is. The way @arsononly constructed the piece is magical. Started off as a jam with a drum loop, @ajabaum on keys, @dealdrugger on modular synth. @sophiaeris added this sick vocal part that I later went in and chopped and pitched down. @dustin_zahn came in later and did some crazy shit with the drums, @ajabaum layered in bass synth, @evanguymandude added some crazy guitar parts. Ryan and I then went to Nashville where we recorded gospel choir and pedal steel (extra points for those who can point out which part is the pedal steel part). we then went to to Brooklyn where @alexepton gave the song his magical touch. Finally, @love_burg mixed the song to perfection, and @huntleymiller gave it its mastered sheen. I knew the video had to match the same spirit and energy. @amitpivots (so clutch) brought in @bylucasom to direct and bring my vision to life. I first went to Minneapolis where we gathered the homies and @brendanlauer beautifully shot us in the same studio where we made the album. I went to Chicago right after that, where @bylucasom, his DP @dylanbudnieski shot the incredible @creationglobal crew of footwork dancers (big shout out to @vicmensa for connecting me with @dance.a.lilbit) and a beautiful gospel choir. Finally we went back to NY where @tommykiljoy edited the shit out of this thing! Special shout out to @rajidselim for pulling together some key logistics, to @tejxpatel for capturing the NY show, from which we pulled some key footage and to pops for documenting so much of my life on VHS. This whole process is a true testament to the phrase it takes a village, and that’s the spirit of “The Hard Way” All love