Today we’d like to introduce you to Mudspitters.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Kai Carlton: Ah man, my memory sucks but I started playing music when I was about 14 years old. I wasn’t much interested in playing covers so I really got right down into writing my own songs. That’s sorta led me down the path I’m on now.
Hunter Boyer: It started out with just Kai and I writing songs in my bedroom when we were just kids. We had a strong understanding of each other of how we approach music and writing, it’s never been more natural with anyone else. Through the years we had a few bands here and there but MUDSPITTERS was our first real attempt to start a serious band. We met Sandy through mutual friends and we just had that same natural understanding of each other. We were a 3 piece for a while and then we found our bassist Mae and it all came full circle. I think we’re finally at the point where we are firing on all cylinders and it’s really exciting.
Sandra Alva: My name is Sandra Alva. I started playing drums when I was 11 years old with friends and family and fell in love with it. Never knew where it would take me but very happy people have loved the way I play. Especially other musicians.
Mae St. Clair: I’m Amelia. I play bass in Mudspitters.
I joined the band completely unexpectedly. I showed up in Los Angeles in June two years ago and made a post saying that I was here and to come say hi, and then Hunter contacted me saying let’s meet for coffee – so we did – and then mentioned that the band was looking for a bass player. I told him that I play bass. I went to some practices to see if I was a good fit and they kept me, basically.
None of this is anything I ever expected to happen. Me and Hunter and Kai all had the same guitar teacher back in North Carolina and I had no idea either of them lived in LA when I moved here. So to meet up with them here purely on chance and to end up in a band with them felt like a billion-to-one odds.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Kai: It certainly has not been the smoothest ride but I wouldn’t change a thing about the journey so far. I think my biggest struggle to date would be re-adjusting to my voice after my transition; that’s been really tough and still can be at times, but I’m happy to say I’m comfortable in my new voice and have learned to love it.
Hunter: It’s been a rocky road but I think that’s how it is for every band. It just takes persistence, that’s what sets successful bands apart from the ones you never heard of.
Sandra: Being in the music industry can be hard. Everyone has their reasons to why. For me, it was hard being away from home for such a long time. Not being able to be with my family and friends. I missed out on a lot. It was always amazing coming home but it was always hard leaving. I don’t regret any of the tours or bands I’ve been in. Or living in different states for my music. But it was still difficult. Especially being away for the holidays.
Mae: I would not get away with calling the road smooth in the company of my band. There were a few moments where I was couch-surfing and living out of my car, fleeing bad situations while at the same time having to make it to practice and shows. The guys have always had my back though, and that definitely made things easier.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Kai: Well I struggle a bit with imposter syndrome so this question is a little tough to answer; I guess what I specialize in is songwriting, I kinda suck at it though to be honest like I don’t write my songs; I just sorta sit down with my guitar when I’m feeling any intense emotion and I sing. This helps me better understand my own thoughts and feelings too because a lot of the time they don’t wanna come out in any other form other than, well, I guess singing. I don’t know what I’m known for cause I’ve never asked that… maybe being a himbo haha and I’m easily most proud of my band.
Hunter: When Kai and I were younger I never really believed anyone outside of us would like our music. We were purely doing it because we loved it and it was special to us. Kai and I released a song called Warm Milk back in 2017 and it was the first thing we ever put out into the world. I didn’t have high expectations but some people reached out and said how much the music resonated and moved them. That really opened my eyes that the way I feel about our music could be felt by others and that really inspired me and I’m really proud of that moment.
Sandra: I’ve been home in Los Angeles for almost four years now and doing music locally but I’ve been in 3 touring bands in my life. I started touring when I was about 20 years old and I stopped when I was about 30 or so. I had my big break when my band at the time Black Veil Brides blew up. Right place right time kind of thing… MySpace era. I did the first album with them (they are still touring etc.) but I sure am proud of the fans I’ve gained from being in that band as well as Modern Day Escape from Florida and Open Your Eyes from Chicago. This band I’m in now, Mudspitters, is something really special and I’m excited to see where it goes. Now that I’ve learned so much throughout the years of being in the Industry, I know this is my biggest adventure yet. I’m sure I will put more touring years under my belt with them. I’ve never been so happy.
Mae: My strength comes from the fact that I’m really well-rounded. I started on piano when I was five years old, switched to violin at seven, played in the violin and cello section in elementary school, and learned saxophone and clarinet in middle school. While I was in middle school, I picked up guitar and drums so I could jam with friends. I was involved in musical theater and choir while all this was happening, so I was developing my voice at the same time. Once I hit high school I really wanted to start writing songs so much of my attention went into that while I worked on voice and guitar.
I actually didn’t start taking bass seriously until I was well into adulthood! I would practice here and there and then took more of an interest in it when I joined an R&B band when I was 23. That interest turned serious once I met Mudspitters and now I invest a lot of time into getting better at it. I’ve found a real love for the instrument. Bass is easy to pick up but hard to master. I love the challenge.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Kai: Hahaha I was kind a hectic, nature-loving, monkey child. I had a couple of friends but mostly spent time by myself playing in trees or with critters I’d find outside. I was always performative though. I’d put on little comedy skits for my dad and put on little concerts singing my favorite songs. I was really interested in dogs and other animals.
Hunter: I was always the quiet one, more reserved. I loved playing with Star Wars Legos in my room for hours when I was little. Once I found my love for the guitar that completely took over my life. I had to learn every song, every solo, and every little trick. It was an escape and it still is. Still love Star Wars though.
Sandra: Music is my love language. I grew up in a very musical family. My whole family plays at least one instrument. Which is wild but I love it. With that being said I was and still am really close with my cousins and brothers because we all listened to really good music and a lot of different genres thanks to my mom, my aunts, and my uncles. So my family is super close. Growing up with my cousins and brothers; we would play outside together all the time and since I was the only girl around I loved being a tomboy. Playing hard with the guys, baseball, tag, climbing trees, and getting dirty. Going on adventures on our bikes. Camping. I’ve always loved making new friends. I can be very quiet at times but when I’m really comfortable with someone, it’s a good time.
Mae: I was chaos. Always getting into something. I was too curious for my own good, always trying to figure everything and everyone out, wanting to know all the little secrets and details about everything. I wanted to know how everything worked. That can cause problems if you’re not careful, which I was not. For example: I blew up the air conditioning unit with a steel dart I managed to get my hands on when I was nine.
I have interesting brain chemistry. I didn’t really stabilize until about a couple of years ago and that definitely affected the way that I grew up and the way that I perceived the world. Some things take time though, and that’s okay. I’m very grateful to be where I am now.
Here’s another fun fact: I loved Pokemon. I still do. You could play any of the Gameboy sounds of the original 151 and I could tell you exactly which Pokemon that was.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mudspitters.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mudspitterz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088530280153&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mudspitters?s=21&t=h6WZbS7JjmXeQyV4n6sNQA
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mudspitters8971
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/mudspitters
Image Credits
Main photo: Jose Arturo Photo of Kai Carlton: Catalina Pinotti 1st photo of Mudspitters: Jason Siete James Photo of Hunter Boyer: Kai Carlton 2nd photo of Mudspitters: Kyle Berg Photo of Sandra Alva: Andrew Bastion 3rd photo of Mudspitters: Jose Arturo Photo of Mae St. Clair: Abigail Rose Roberts 4th photo of Mudspitters: Jose Arturo
