CHAPTER 1 - REHAB ROCK

I guess you could say Hot Mud was an alter ego of a man named Muddy Watters. It was a self-proclaimed nickname for his wild intoxicated personality. 

Over time Hot Mud completely took over and eventually found himself in very dark places, in his surroundings, and in his own mind.

A rocky road (to say the least) thankfully led him to rehab. 

Hot Mud spent over a year in treatment facilities, where he became sober and healthy. He did recovery work, attended meetings, found hope, and settled into second-stage sober living. 

He crammed musical instruments, recording equipment, and cameras into this tiny room the size of your mother's closet. He covered his wall with green bristol board to make trashy music videos.

He taught himself basic recording techniques while performing each composition, layering one track at a time onto a broken computer with broken instruments, some found in the rehab facility's basement. He huddled in the farthest corner of his room and sang as quietly as possible, trying not to bother the other recovering tenants. 

Hot Mud created a record of songs he wrote during his struggle with addiction and the early stages of recovery. 

‘Hot Mud - Rehab Rock’ is packed full of many musical styles and sounds, changing from song to song. Each composition is accompanied by lyrical content that is gritty and real (maybe a little too real) yet occasionally charming, silly, and fun... and it all sounds damn good!

It is a glimpse into a man's mind with good intentions and bad habits prepared to make a change for the better.

It is an ode to creativity and its healing powers. 

It is a personal yet universal journey.

We find Hot Mud floating in his never-ending pink cloud. Here he has found purpose, happiness, and love. He sings of his newfound zest for life, embracing his oddities in anthems for outcasts. A new musical collection expands his journey as an artist and recovering addict, it’s a record called ‘Pink Cloud Pop’. 

‘Pink Cloud Pop’ is the second full-length album by Hot Mud. The title and theme refer to the term ‘pink cloud’ known in addiction recovery circles as a temporary phase of euphoria and extreme optimism during the rehabilitation process.

‘Pink Cloud Pop’ is a sequel in the Hot Mud story, picking up right where ‘Rehab Rock’ had ended. His songwriting continued throughout his stay in rehab, gradually evolving into a new positive perspective, mirroring his attitude and behavior.

When he wasn’t recording ‘Rehab Rock’ or writing ‘Pink Cloud Pop’, he was studying radio broadcasting. He would go on to create several radio programs, even broadcasting some live from his rehab room. The influence of his radio production is heard throughout the music in ‘Pink Cloud Pop’.

Hot Mud met a woman during this time who was also attending a female recovery facility. They would sneak out like Romeo and Juliet during the pandemic to see each other, eventually falling in love. With this sudden romance came more inspiration in the creation of the album. You can hear Hot Mud’s newfound partner singing in some of the songs on the ‘Pink Cloud Pop’ record.

Thanks to these experiences and the incredible support system surrounding him, Hot Mud eventually would move on from rehab, finding a home in his mysterious, magical, musical pink cloud, where he continues to create. He presents to you his latest creation, an upbeat musical offering that will have you singing, dancing, and floating to the ‘Pink Cloud Pop’.