Oftentimes, there is a pressure in the music industry to be “unique”, even though it’s not clarified in any sense. A lot of musicians will get completely lost in anxiety about becoming “unique”, as if that’s how it works anyways. For Marc and Matt Hansen of Electric Mud, the feeling of music is more important than the pressure of being inexplicably different from everyone else; it’s why they keep a classic rock and roll sound, and it’s why their concerts ring with a genuine joy instead of phony experimentalism. For over a decade, the band has been giving you rock and roll from the keys, strings, drums, and vocal cords of its five members, and they’re only getting better gigs.
Marc and Matty grew up together in Staten Island. They began the band after transferral to a Navy base in San Diego, where they were stationed together in the Navy. They found solace, connection, and excitement when playing at bars amidst the rigors of military life. Matty, the older brother, was the driving force that got the original members of Electric Mud in the same room. He had a vision, an instinct that something special would happen if they could just get together and play. Marc, despite never being in a band, found himself not only enjoying the process but itching to write songs after jamming with the new bandmates. He remarks that it was “like a drug” to come up with new music for them to play. Today, the band consists of Marc and Matt, Colton Cori, Matthew Sorena, and David Stagno. Unfortunately, military life eventually proved more challenging to organize a band around. Marc and Matty often found themselves juggling their duties with rehearsals and performances. On leave, they would sometimes fly the band out to San Diego, playing makeshift gigs in parking lots, or return to New York to perform. These were gritty, low-budget operations, but they were the lifeblood of the band. The experience of serving together, particularly for Marc, who went on to become a Navy SEAL, instilled a level of discipline and resilience that would later prove invaluable in keeping the band together. Don’t get too confused though, low-budget shows are the glory days of any rock band, and the boys loved those bars as much as the bars loved them.
Marc’s time as a SEAL brought a unique perspective to his music. The discipline required to complete such an intense program, and the contrast between the high-stakes world of military operations and the creative process of making music, shaped his approach to the band. This duality of experience—having lived through the extremes of military life while nurturing a creative passion—gives Electric Mud a stylized influence. Going through many shifts of management, they had to maintain their consistency in the long-term by staying in touch, kind, and honest with each other, always ready to get back in the studio and jam.
Electric Mud has always prided itself on being the first to arrive at a venue and the last to leave. They are very professional, and it’s earned them a reputation among venue owners and studio engineers as a band that gets the job done time and time again. This dedication has paid off in tangible ways. Electric Mud has garnered several accolades over the years, including multiple San Diego Music Awards and the International Singer-Songwriter Association’s Band of the Year. Perhaps the most notable highlight in their career came in May 2023 when they opened for The Rolling Stones during the Hackney Diamonds Tour in Glendale, Arizona. It’s incredible to even be able to say that you jammed and performed alongside such legends.
Electric Mud’s deep rock and roll influence stretches back to the early 20th century with artists like Muddy Waters and Hank Williams. It’s a proud heritage that they can claim a spot on the tapestry of. They never try to reinvent the wheel but rather to keep it turning, ensuring that the music continues to evolve and inspire new generations. Their creative process is organic and deeply collaborative—the name implies as much. When they entered the studio in Portland to record their album “Dangerous Promises,” they leaned into their interpersonal connection as they turned collective ideas into a full studio album. To create something from nothing, to let the music take shape in the moment, is why they all got into music. It’s an approach that has served them well throughout their various lineup changes and the different chapters of their story. One particularly memorable moment occurred during one of Electric Mud’s early jam sessions with Keith Richards. The Rolling Stones guitarist was so into their jams that he started singing along, and when he went to smoke, he sang a light tune about needing a light for his cigarette. This spontaneous moment of creativity in the presence of a great musician led to Marc writing their first song, as well as him wanting to become their lead singer.
Electric Mud has seen success as a band, and they will never give up their big dreams. They want to keep creating music that resonates on a deep level, that inspires others in the same way that they were inspired by the music they grew up with. From Matty and Matthew setting foundations on the drums and base, to the melodies of Colton and David’s keys and guitars, to Marc’s lyrics, they want to increase their cohesion to infinity.
Published By: Aize Perez
