Stemage

Grant Henry (born April 3, 1979), better known by his stage name Stemage, is an American guitarist and composer. He is known for his video game and television soundtracks, including Cartoon Network's animated series Steven Universe.^[3] He is also known for his involvement in several video game cover projects, including Metroid Metal and Viking Guitar.^[4]

Stemage
Birth name	Grant Henry
Born	(1979-04-03) April 3, 1979 (age 45)
Genres	Video game music space rock metal
Instrument(s)	Guitar, drums, vocals
Years active	1997–present
Labels	Brave Wave Productions,^[1] Materia Collective^[2]
Website	stemagemusic.com

Career

 

Stemage (semi-hidden on the right) playing guitar at MAGWest 2019

Early work (1997–2002)

Stemage began writing and performing music in high school. He recorded an original album in 1997 named Organized Uproar, using a cassette 8-track in his dorm room. The album was later released for free via his website.^[5] He then joined a band named MiniVoid.^[6][7]

Metroid Metal and solo work (2003–2014)

In 2003, Stemage formed Metroid cover project Metroid Metal, later recruiting other artists such as Danimal Cannon.^[8] While the group were initially simply recording cover songs to release online, Metroid Metal made their live debut at MAGFest 7 in 2009, and became a recurring act at the event. Stemage released several albums with the group over the following years, including Varia Suite (2009), Expansion Pack (2010) and Other Album (2014).^[9] Stemage along with the other musicians from Metroid Metal Live formed the "backbone" of Yes Mayhem, a second band that produced original material beginning in 2010.^[10] During this time, he released five albums as a solo artist, both in the form of cover projects and original material. In 2010, Stemage was hired to perform the soundtrack for the Xbox Live game Alpha Squad. In an interview shortly before the game's release, he described composing for video games as "acting on a blue screen with a director telling you that the Master Control Program is off in the distance, and it's big—except that there's no director, and the MCP is a sketch of a dude with a gun."^[11]

Collaborative projects and Steven Universe (2014–2019)

Stemage joined Viking Guitar in 2014, alongside Travis Morgan, Mega Beardo, and founder Erik Peabody. Viking Guitar originated as a solo act fronted by Peabody, with which Stemage had featured as a guest on several occasions.^[12][13] The new incarnation of the band released their debut studio album Legion later that year while continuing the annual Danse Macabre projects that Stemage had been involved in earlier.^[14] In 2018, the group released their second studio album, Warpath.

Stemage had a brief tenure with LONELYROLLINGSTARS, working on their 2014 album CARNIVORTEX and performing live at MAGFest 12 to support the release.^[15] His departure later in the year was announced by the band in the form of a music video. During the video, Stemage walks out midway through a performance of Royal Rainbow Road to be replaced by new guitarist Mega Beardo.^[16][17]

In addition to the opening theme for the second season of Cartoon Network's Steven Universe, Stemage worked on guitars throughout the remainder of the show.^[18] The first volume of the Steven Universe soundtrack reached #22 on the Billboard 200.^[19] A second volume followed in 2019, peaking at #28 on the Billboard 200, and #12 on the US iTunes chart.^[20][21] Stemage also co-composed Steven Universe: The Movie.^[22]

In 2018, Stemage joined a band called Super Strikers, along with video game composers Keiji Yamagishi and Manami Matsumae. The group performed live for the first time at MAGFest 2018, the recordings of which were used for the second disc of Yamagishi's album The Retro-Active Experience.^[23]

Focus on soundtracks (2019–)

From the late 2010s onwards, Stemage worked on a number of game soundtracks including Card of Darkness (2019), Ikenfell (2020) and Hextech Mayhem (2021), both as a composer and as a session guitarist. When discussing his work on the Bubsy: Paws on Fire! soundtrack, which was released via video game music label Materia Collective, Stemage indicated that it was a challenging but enjoyable project, adding "If you hear a hi-hat playing Morse code during one of the songs, don't say I didn't warn you."^[24]

Style and influences

He has described his music as "Catchy, high-energy space rock mixed with metal, pop, and prog".^[4] He has cited stylistic influences such as Failure, Stone Temple Pilots, Self, Hum, Meshuggah and Shiner.^[7]

Discography

Studio albums Organized Uproar (1998) Strati (2006) Zero over Zero (2011) Frets of Valmar: Grandia II (2011) Where Good Marbles Go to Die (2012) Priority One (2013) Narrowband (2016) Retrogression (2017) Spookage, Vol 1 (2022) MiniVoid 14 Days (1999) Readjust (2000) Metroid Metal Varia Suite (2009) Expansion Pack EP (2010) Other Album (2014) Yes Mayhem Yes Mayhem (2010) HH2 (2012) Super VG Christmas Party (2014, as guest)^[25] Molly (2016) Castellum Sanguis LXVIII: Castlevania X68000 Tribute Album (2018, as guest)^[26] Bandwagon (2020) LONELYROLLINGSTARS CARNIVORTEX (2014)^[27] Viking Guitar Viking Guitar (2010, as guest)^[28] Made of Metal (2011, as guest)^[29] Danse Macabre (2012, as guest)^[30] Danse Macabre II (2013, as guest)^[31]^[32] Legion (2014)^[14]^[33] Danse Macabre III (2014)^[30] Danse Macabre IV (2015)^[34] Danse Macabre V (2016)^[35] Danse Macabre VI (2017)^[30] Warpath (2018)^[36] Live (2018)^[37] God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You (2020)^[38] Danse Macabre 7 (2020)^[39] Belly of the Beast (2021)^[40] Hello, Boils and Ghouls! (2021)^[41] Super Strikers The Retro-Active Experience (2019)^[42] Card of Darkness: The Remixes (2019, as guest)

Soundtracks TV and film For Catherine (2005) Steven Universe (2013–19, with Aivi & Surasshu)^[43] Steven Universe: The Movie (2019, with many others) Steven Universe Future (2019–20, with Aivi & Surasshu) Battle Kitty (2022– present, with Max Coburn)^[44] Suicide for Beginners (2022) Video games Alpha Squad (2011)^[45] Saturday Morning RPG (2012, with Vince DiCola and C-Jeff)^[46] Aeternum (2013, with Viking Guitar)^[47] Band Saga (2014, with Rekcahdam)^[48] The Metronomicon: Slay the Dance Floor (2016, with many others)^[49] Runner3 (2018)^[50]^[51] Bubsy: Paws on Fire! (2019)^[52] Card of Darkness (2019)^[53] Ikenfell (2020, with Aivi & Surasshu)^[54] Dangle Dash (2021)^[55] Space Otter Charlie (2021)^[56] Chicory: A Colorful Tale (2021, with Lena Raine)^[57] Moonglow Bay (2021, with Lena Raine)^[58] Hextech Mayhem (2021) Soundfall (2022, with many others)^[59] Rogue Legacy 2 (2022, with many others)^[60] Tchia (2023, main theme) Super Catboy (2023, with Tscholdes & Anton Corazza)^[61] Bit. Trip Rerunner + Runner Maker (2023)^[62] Devolver Digital events Devolver Digital Direct 2020 - Play the Game^[63] Devolver Digital Direct 2021 - Daydream^[64] Devolver Digital Summer Game Fest 2022 - Singularity^[65] Guest appearances Off Centre – The Streets We've Known All our Lives (2004) The Nurse who Loved Me: A Tribute to Failure (2008)^[66] C-Jeff – Preschtale (2012)^[67] Disasterpeace – Cycles (2012) Perelandra Records – Tide (2012) Disasterpeace – FZ: Side F (2013) Random Encounter – Let Me Tell You a Story (2013) C-Jeff – Big Steel Wheels (2013) Nate Horsfall – Spectrum of Mana (2013) Chiptunes = Win - Chiptunes = WTFLOL (2013)^[68] Brave Wave Productions – In Flux (2014, with Manami Matsumae) Big Giant Circles – Glory Days Remixed (2014) Alexander Brandon – Just Fun (2014)^[69] Careless Juja – For Naughty Children (2015) Keiji Yamagishi – Retro-Active Pt. 1 (2015)^[70] Patient Corgi – SOUND WAVES: A Tribute to Ecco the Dolphin (2016) Nate Horsfall – Chronicles of Time (2016)^[71] Aivi & Surrashu – Rio Olympics Google Doodle (2016) Keiji Yamagishi – Retro-Active Pt. 2 (2016)^[72] Brave Wave Productions – World 1–2 (2017)^[73] Manami Matsumae – Three Movements (2017) Jon Poulin – With Vigor (2017) Chiptunes = Win – Chips = Flipped (2018)^[74] Sam Mulligan & The Donut Slayers – Shark Party (2018)^[75] Jon Poulin - Big Riff Energy Bossies play Bosses - A Tribute to Matt Wood (2021)^[76] MunzadetH - A Tribute to KICK MASTER (2021)

References

1. "Welcome". Brave Wave Productions.
2. "Bubsy: Paws on Fire! (Original Game Soundtrack)". Materia Collective.
3. "Dropping Gems: An Interview with the Composers of the Score for 'Steven Universe'". Noisey.vive.com. January 15, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
4. "Shockingly, Backwards Video Game Music Doesn't Sound Awful". Kotaku.vo.uk. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
5. "Full Discography".
6. "Of Metroid and Metal - Interview with Stemage". Fsbossfight.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
7. "Steamy Stemage: Grant "Metroid Metal" Henry Interview". Originalsoundversion.com. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
8. . metroidmetal.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2009. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
9. McElroy, Griffin (April 4, 2012). "PAX East 2012 guide: Surviving the Game (Convention)". Polygon.com. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
10. "About Metroid Metal – Metroid Metal". Metroidmetal.com. January 3, 2009. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
11. "Dragon Divide - Games and entertainment". Dragondivide.com. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
12. . super.magfest.org. Archived from the original on September 11, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
13. . super.magfest.org. Archived from the original on March 12, 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
14. "Have Some More "Video Game Themes Meets Metal" Music With Viking Guitar Live - Bloody Disgusting". bloody-disgusting.com. June 30, 2014.
15. . super.magfest.org. Archived from the original on February 9, 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
16. "Gammes kultes - LONELYROLLINGSTARS de retour avec SUGARBURGER". February 2, 2018.
17. LONELYROLLINGSTARS (August 1, 2014). ""ROYAL RAINBOW ROAD" (Mario Kart Double Dash) – LONELYROLLINGSTARS✨". YouTube.
18. McDonnell, Chris (July 11, 2017). Steven Universe: Art & Origins. Cartoon Network Enterprises, Inc. p. 164. ISBN 978-1419724435.
19. "Top 200 Albums". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
20. "iTunesCharts.net: 'Steven Universe, Vol. 2 (Original Soundtrack)' by Steven Universe (American Albums iTunes Chart)". Itunescharts.net. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
21. "Soundtrack". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
22. "'Steven Universe: The Movie' Review: A Heartwarming Musical that Encapsulates a True Kinda Love". Filmschoolrejects.com. September 3, 2019. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
23. "Announcing 'The Retro-Active Experience' album & Brave Wave's in-house band Super Strikers". Bravewave.net. January 14, 2019. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
24. "Bubsy: Paws on Fire (Original Game Soundtrack) on All Storefronts". Gamasutra.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
25. "Super VG Christmas Party, by Patient Corgi". Super VG Christmas Party.
26. "Danse Macabre 7, by Sindravania Projects & Viking Guitar Productions". Sindravaniaprojects.bandcamp.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
27. "Videogame Rock supergroup LONELYROLLINGSTARS debut album CARNIVORTEX". Gamemusic4all.com. January 5, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
28. "Viking Guitar, by Viking Guitar". Viking Guitar.
29. "Made of Metal, by Viking Guitar". Viking Guitar.
30. "Oscurità (Tenebre), by Stemage, Chunkstyle, Kevin Lawrence, & Norrin_Radd". Viking Guitar.
31. "Four new songs!". Stemagemusic.com. November 17, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
32. "Danse Macabre 2, by Viking Guitar Productions". Viking Guitar.
33. "Legion, by Viking Guitar Live". Viking Guitar.
34. "Stemage, Cory Johnson, Claire Barton - Deadflip (Alien Crush), by Big Mat Attacks Presents..." Big Mat Attacks Presents...
35. "TerrorVision (TerrorVision), by Stemage (ft. Claire Henry)". Viking Guitar.
36. "Warpath, by Viking Guitar Live". Vikingguitar.bandcamp.com.
37. "LIVE, by Viking Guitar Live". Vikingguitar.bandcamp.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
38. "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You | Viking Guitar Live | Viking Guitar". Vikingguitar.bandcamp.com. February 22, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
39. "Danse Macabre 7, by Sindravania Projects & Viking Guitar Productions".
40. "Belly of the Beast (Life Force), by Viking Guitar Live".
41. "Hello, Boils and Ghouls!, by Viking Guitar".
42. "The Retro-Active Experience, by Keiji Yamagishi". Bravewave.bandcamp.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
43. Davis, Jacob (June 4, 2017). "Emmy spotlight: Voters are out of this world if they snub 'Steven Universe' this year". Goldderby.com. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
44. "Soundtrack Album for Netflix's 'Battle Kitty' Released | Film Music Reporter".
45. "This Looks Pretty Slick for an Indie Game". Kotaku.com.au. August 19, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
46. "Saturday Morning RPG Soundtrack on Steam". Store.steampowered.com. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
47. "Aeternum - Original Sound Track on Steam". Store.steampowered.com. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
48. "Band Saga Is A Musical Roguelike With A Mega Man Flavor - Siliconera". Siliconera.com. September 3, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
49. "Save 65% on The Metronomicon - The Soundtrack! on Steam". Store.steampowered.com. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
50. @Stemage (May 8, 2018). "Yay I can share this now! I wrote music for #Runner3 on Nintendo Switch! I crafted all the tunes for the Retro Chal…" (Tweet). Retrieved December 29, 2020 – via Twitter.
51. "SOUNDTRACKS". Runner3.
52. https://twitter.com/Stemage/status/1057447569037508608 ^{[dead link]}
53. "Apple Showcases Four Games that are coming to Apple Arcade when it Launches on Thursday". Patentlyapple.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
54. https://twitter.com/waltzforluma/status/1063592986737442817 ^{[dead link]}
55. "Dangle Dash Theme, by Stemage".
56. "Space Otter Charlie Soundtrack on Steam".
57. "Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Original Soundtrack) | Lena Raine". Radicaldreamland.bandcamp.com. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
58. "Moonglow Bay (Original Soundtrack) | Lena Raine". Radicaldreamland.bandcamp.com. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
59. "Soundfall Original Game Soundtrack".
60. "Rogue Legacy 2 - Immortal Cain (W/ A Shell in the Pit & Tettix), by Stemage".
61. https://stemage.bandcamp.com/album/super-catboy-original-game-soundtrack
62. "LAUNCH DAY BABY! 🍻 I've spent the last year working on BIT.TRIP RERUNNER with the crew at @TotallyChoice..."
63. "Play the Game (Devolver Digital® Cinematic Universe)". Materiacollective.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
64. "Daydream (Devolver Digital Cinematic Universe), by Stemage".
65. "Singularity (Devolver Digital® Cinematic Universe), by Stemage".
66. "The Nurse Who Loved Me: A Tribute To FAILURE, by (Damn) This Desert Air". Damnthisdesertair.bandcamp.com. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
67. "Full Discography". Stemagemusic.com. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
68. "Chiptunes = WTFLOL, by Chiptunes = WIN". Chiptunes = WIN.
69. "Composer Alexander Brandon's collab album, Just Fun". Destructoid.com. February 4, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
70. "Retro-Active Pt. 1, by Keiji Yamagishi". Brave Wave Productions.
71. Good, Owen S. (February 14, 2016). "Huge Chrono Trigger soundtrack tribute available now". Polygon.com. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
72. "Retro-Active Pt. 2, by Keiji Yamagishi". Brave Wave Productions.
73. Hamilton, Kirk (May 6, 2013). "Proof That There's No Such Thing As Too Many Video Game Composers". Kotaku.com. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
74. "Chips = FLIPPED, by Chiptunes = WIN". Chiptuneswin.bandcamp.com.
75. Sam Mulligan (May 29, 2018). "Sam Mulligan & The Donut Slayers - "Shark Party"". YouTube.
76. "Bossies Play Bosses: A Tribute to Matt Wood, by mig50".