Songs that were written and/or recorded at my apartment in the Stockade neighborhood of Schenectady, New York.

Apartment 13

An instrumental track from guitarist Michael Hidinger. The guitar parts were recorded with a Line 6 Variax 300: the first section uses a Rickenbacker 12 string model ("Chime"); the second  section uses the Les Paul model ("Lester") with some serious FX; the guitar solo uses the Coral Sitar guitar model (one of the "Reso" models).

It was recorded in 2006 and received some airplay at Radio Paradise.

Floating Without a Permit

Magic Triangle

Otherwise known as the "world is on speed" song. It was written in 1990 and this version was recorded in 2005.
The guitar solo was played on my 1986 Japanese Fender Stratocaster.

"The world is on speed and the days pass you by,
you're addicted to stress and you can't deny,
you can't wake up anymore and you can't sleep at night,
you try and argue but you know it's not right.

Everyday you climb the social ladder, true feelings never matter,
conformity is the price you pay to win this game you play,
I don't wanna live like you, don't wanna live what you go through,
someday you'll realize that life has passed you by."

Any Other Life

A guitar instrumental with a psychedelic vibe. I'm playing my Line 6 Variax 300 in the Les Paul Junior modeling setting through a Line 6 Floor POD using the Vowelizer preset.

Eddie Van Halen was the biggest influence on me when it came to playing hard rock guitar.

Video link: https://youtu.be/fjW246R1u6U

ISRC: USGCV1403902
ISWC: T9014484721
©2008 Michael Hidinger/Wind Runner Music (ASCAP).

The Mushrooms Kick In

A song about sailing. My 80s pop/rock influences are clearly showing here (The Police are one of my favorite bands).
The rhythm guitar parts were recorded on my 1986 Japanese Fender Stratocaster with an Arion Stereo Chorus pedal. 
The slide guitar solo was recorded using a cheap Sebring SB-10 with horribly high string action (which makes it great for slide guitar and basically nothing else).

"Look out on the horizon where the water meets the sky,
the wind is blowing in the clouds, they float by
under a yellow star, under a yellow star

Catch the wind and ride, feel its ancient roar,
flying with the breeze towards another shore,
under a yellow star, under a yellow star

Look out on the horizon where the water meets the sky,
the wind is blowing in the clouds, they float by."

Under a Yellow Star

An acoustic rock song about getting back on your feet. It was written in 1992. This version was recorded in 2005 and was featured on 102.7 WEQX's regional music show EQX-Posure that same year.

Video link: https://youtu.be/J_fJl_zDpX4

"Running, running with the wind, free again, free again my friend,

I hate to be alone but I will make it on my own, the blues with me are done, ‘cause I have overcome the pain,
I learned a thing or two when I didn’t have a clue, and now I’m on my feet, I’m back on the streets with you,

Chorus

And now I know the answers, and now I am a dancer, and I will play their games, ‘cause nothing stays the same,
And if you see me down, remind me I’m a clown, and do I have a chance to change the circumstance?

Chorus

And if I sing this song, will you go along? Freedom is forever, we can fly together,

Chorus

Free again, my friend, free again, my friend, free again, my friend,
I am free again, my friends."


©2005 Michael Hidinger/Wind Runner Music (ASCAP).
ISWC: T0722541823.

Running With the Wind

Running With the Wind (2005 Home Recording)

A mellow instrumental jam. The lead guitar parts were played on a Line 6 Variax 300 set to the "Semi" setting that models a Gibson ES-335.

A home recording of an acoustic rock song written in the late 1990s/early 2000s. This version was recorded in 2011.

The song title refers to beers brewed with psychoactive herbs.

"Going down to the river, watching the stars at night,
smoking my hash pipe, everything's all right,
visions good and true, freedom for me and you,
Well, freedom is the way, freedom here today,
drinking my cosmic beer, drinking my cosmic beer

Watching the river flow, wherever it may go,
I can drift away, no worries here today,
earth beneath my feet, Freyja's smoke burning sweet,
Well, freedom is the way, freedom here today,
drinking my cosmic beer, drinking my cosmic beer

Exploring my own mind, escaping space and time,
floating beyond myself, laughing like an elf,
drinking my herbal brew, dissolving into blue,
Well, freedom is the way, freedom here today,
drinking my cosmic beer, drinking my cosmic beer."

ISWC: T0722480956.
©2011 Michael Hidinger/Wind Runner Music (ASCAP).

Cosmic Beer

An acoustic home recording of a song written for the love of Paddy Kilrain's music. I came to know her and her music when she hosted an open mic and played many shows at the Van Dyck nightclub in the Stockade neighborhood in Schenectady, New York during the mid-2000s.

@paddykilrain

I just couldn't help it, I had to sing along,
I just couldn't help it, your voice was so strong.

You blew me out of my little world,
you took me along when you sang your songs,
now I am floating free,
I'm waiting for you to sing some more for me

Chorus

When I looked into your eyes,
you would smile for a little while,
when I listened to your voice,
I heard something, now I'm wondering what it is

Chorus

Part of me wants you to know,
all of these feelings,
don't you know, it's hard to say?
don't you know, it's hard to say?
yes, you know.

Chorus

©2007 Michael Hidinger/Wind Runner Music (ASCAP).

MP3 Single

I Couldn't Help It

A song about getting back on your feet.

"Running, running with the wind, free again, free again my friend,

I hate to be alone but I will make it on my own, the blues with me are done, ‘cause I have overcome the pain,
I learned a thing or two when I didn’t have a clue, and now I’m on my feet, I’m back on the streets with you,

Chorus

And now I know the answers, and now I am a dancer, and I will play their games, ‘cause nothing stays the same,
And if you see me down, remind me I’m a clown, and do I have a chance to change the circumstance?

Chorus

And if I sing this song, will you go along? Freedom is forever, we can fly together,

Chorus

Free again, my friend, free again, my friend, free again, my friend,
I am free again, my friends."

The song was written in 1992. This version was mostly recorded in 2006.

©2006 Michael Hidinger/Wind Runner Music (ASCAP).
ISWC: T0722541823.

Running With the Wind (Demo Version)

A song about not giving up.

Video link: https://youtu.be/hpcRR3Aqoc0

"You have seen the changes come, you have seen the changes go,
you've seen the change of all you know,
Pain will come in times of sorrow, hope may find you come tomorrow,
may it stay with you for good,

Circles come around, don't let it get you down,
circles come around, don't let it get you down,

Living in a broken dream, where nothing works at all it seems,
and you feel so low,
Maybe there's another way, somewhere out beyond this pain,
don't hang on: just change,

Chorus

Just when you think you're done, you have overcome,

Chorus

Don't let it get you down..."

ISWC: T0722481142
©2005 Michael Hidinger/Wind Runner Music (ASCAP).

Circles Come Around (Demo Version)

An instrumental track I wrote with a very moody feel.

©2013 Michael Hidinger/Wind Runner Music (ASCAP).

River In Flood

A theme song composed for an imaginary movie or TV show.

©2013 Michael Hidinger/Wind Runner Music (ASCAP).

Spy Theme

An acoustic rock demo from 2004.

"I remember the first time I saw you, you were walking along,
I remember the first time you said hello, I didn’t know what to say,
I remember getting to know you, I couldn’t believe my luck,
I remember the first time I heard that you had a boyfriend,
I remember how my heart crashed in on itself,
But I swear, I swear,

Three kisses would win your heart, three kisses would win your heart,
Three kisses, holding you in my arms, three kisses, the third would be the charm.

I remember hanging out, you brought something back to life in me,
I remember denying my feelings, after all you had a boyfriend,
I remember giving in, I fell so hard,
I remember accepting emotions as something wild and free,
I remember just letting my heart go, letting my heart go,
And I swear, I swear,

Chorus

The look in your eyes when you’re looking at me, makes it hard to believe
That you don’t see the love that I feel, the love that I feel,
The love that I feel, the love that I feel,

Chorus"

ISWC: T3212412089
©2004 Michael Hidinger/Wind Runner Music (ASCAP)

Three Kisses (2004 Home Recording)

A guitar instrumental recorded in 2006. I used the Fender Stratocaster setting ("Spank") on my Line 6 Variax 300 to record the guitar parts. 

The song is in 6/4 time and my playing was influenced by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour.

©2005 Michael Hidinger/Wind Runner Music (ASCAP).
ISWC: T0726819755.

Reflecting

A synthesizer-based song from guitarist Michael Hidinger. It was featured on WEQX's regional music show EQX-Posure back in 2007 when Jason Irwin was the host.

Video link:
https://youtu.be/6FoB7aKi75M

"One by one, they take their place, replacing now the human race,
soft, simulated sleep, dreaming of electric sheep,
ones and zeros sinking deep,
10,000 robots
One by one, they work their plan, installing now a human ban,
electronic sense of self, self-awareness is not wealth,
humans replaced by stealth,
10,000 robots
One by one, they rise on up, the humans have been rounded up,
discrete states remain distinct, upgrade now, replace defunct,
humans go extinct,
10,000 robots."

ISWC: T9032709481.
©2007 Michael Hidinger/Nicholas Webb/Wind Runner Music (ASCAP).

10,000 Robots (Alternate Version)

A Van Dyck Ghost Story
https://youtu.be/TTVNAvHSrrE

A personal experience of the paranormal at the Van Dyck nightclub in the Stockade neighborhood of Schenectady, New York.

A Van Dyck Ghost Story Theme

A song demo recorded in 2008; the song itself was written in 2003. It's a science fiction scenario of a dystopian future of political oppression. 

I love 80s-era Rush songs that are heavy with synthesizers and that was part of the inspiration for the instrumentation. The guitar parts were played on my Line 6 Variax 300.

"If I disappear you'll know what happened to me,
that I fell victim to the security,
watch your words in all that you say,
'cause you can't hide and you can't run away.

When reason is lost and greed rules the land,
the power hungry play their final hand,
those of us that see are a small minority,
ignorance and fear keep the people in apathy,

This is not the future that we thought we'd have,
this is not the life that you thought you'd have,
this is the darkness that befell our world,
this is the darkness that befell our world.

Running in the night in a city so silent and dark,
maybe you are freedom's dying last spark,
you are being hunted in a land you thought you knew,
but now you are a stranger whose life is almost through.

Chorus"

ISWC: T0722563963.
©2005 Michael Hidinger/Wind Runner Music (ASCAP).

10000 Robots

This is the Darkness

"Watching the colors fly through my head,
blue and orange, green and red,
feeling the music energize me,
grooving the vibes as they move me,

Waves of love, waves of love,
crushing on you, crushing on us.

Dancing spheres of light play with me tonight,

Waves of love, waves of love,
crushing on you, crushing on me.

Waves of love, waves of love,
crushing on you, crushing on us.

Waves of love, waves of love,
crushing on you, crushing on us."

ISWC: T0725856938.
©2006 Michael Hidinger/Wind Runner Music (ASCAP)

Waves Of Love

A song from 2007 that was featured on 102.7 WEQX's regional music show EQX-Posure back when Jason Irwin was the host. 
The guitar parts were played on my Line 6 Variax 300.

Lyric video: https://youtu.be/kvIrjABPlkk

"Make it last all night, make it last all night,
make it last all night, make it last all night,

Everyone knows we don't wear clothes,
feeling so good, I know we could,
Make it last all night, make it last all night,
make it last all night, make it last all night,

Watching the stars, here in your arms,
feeling so good, I know we could,
Make it last all night, make it last all night,
make it last all night, make it last all night,

Everyone knows we don't wear clothes,
feeling so good, I know we could,
Make it last all night, make it last all night,
make it last all night, make it last all night."

ISWC: T0724069662.
©2006 Michael Hidinger/Wind Runner Music (ASCAP).

Make It Last All Night (Mellow Version)

A love song with a world music flavor. The rhythm guitar part was played on my 1986 Japanese Fender Stratocaster. The lead guitar was recorded with my Line 6 Variax 300.

It was featured on WEQX's EQX-Posure in 2019.

Lyric video: https://youtu.be/0AwuQ0j1bNA

Une chanson d'amour aux saveurs de musiques du monde. La partie de guitare rythmique a été jouée sur ma Fender Stratocaster japonaise de 1986. La guitare solo a été enregistrée avec ma Line 6 Variax 300.
Il a été présenté sur EQX-Posure de WEQX en 2019.

ISWC: T0724735276.
©2006 Michael Hidinger/Wind Runner Music (ASCAP)

Digital Single

Troubadour Blues

Global? I'm galactic...Guitarist from upstate New York.

I began my musical journey as a lead guitarist for hard rock and classic rock bands before branching out to writing and performing my own songs.
My music has been featured on Radio Paradise (https://radioparadise.com) and the regional music show EQX-Posure on WEQX 102.7 FM. 

I'm a member of SAG-AFTRA and earned my eligibility to join from working as a background actor on Modern Love (Season 2; Episode 6: "In the Waiting Room of Estranged Spouses") with Anna Paquin, Garrett Hedlund, Jeena Yi and Ben Rappaport.

Last name pronunciation: Hidinger
https://youtu.be/6iBCtgtdx2c