About HODD

HODD is a collaborative rock project built around the songs of Stephen William Hodd — a singer-songwriter whose music walks the tightrope between raw vulnerability and soaring sonic ambition. Based in Suffolk, UK, HODD blends deep lyrical storytelling with rich, textured arrangements that draw from folk, indie, and alt-rock traditions.

At its core, Better Man is a record about survival, fatherhood, and finding light in the aftermath of loss. The songs are shaped by personal tragedy, including the suicide of Hodd’s brother, but they’re anything but bleak. Instead, they search for grace. They offer moments of quiet defiance, of fragile joy, of choosing to stay.

The album features a standout lineup of musicians: Mat Hector (Iggy Pop) on drums, Mark Neary (Adele, Noel Gallagher) on bass and engineering duties, and a sweeping string section arranged by Benjamin Lee and Gabriel Waite. It was tracked at Jackdaw Studios and mastered by Eric James (Nick Cave, PJ Harvey) at Philosophers Barn.

While built around Stephen’s distinctive voice and songwriting, HODD is not a solo act. It’s a collective vision. A growing band of collaborators. A project rooted in truth and emotional depth, with the ambition to reach hearts and headphones worldwide.

Stephen has opened for Mark Knopfler, Bonnie Raitt, and Paul Brady, and toured globally with Passenger and Lou Rhodes (LAMB). With HODD, he brings that experience to a new frontier — one that invites listeners into a shared space of reflection, healing, and meaning.

“We’ve made a record that means something — to me, to those who’ve heard it live, and hopefully to anyone still walking through the dark. It’s time to share it wider.” — Stephen William Hodd