Surf-western duo Andrea & Mud have been making some serious moves since dropping their sophomore album Bad News Darlin’ in 2020. Over the last eighteen months, the pair have opened for country and bluegrass legend Marty Stuart, been featured in a major motion picture, and have continued to hone their songwriting chops as their arresting new single so ably proves.

“Hard Life” sees Andrea & Mud expanding on their distinctive and eclectic sound. Featuring a wilting melody, their voices blend beautifully during the melancholic chorus as they observe the fundamental errors of the world and admit, “It’s the wrong way to be together / It’s a hard life that we’re living today.” It’s a striking composition propelled forward by an almost mischievous guitar melody and Andrea’s trademark singing saw. The track has a magic simplicity that cracks you open just a little to remind you of your gooey, gooey heart.

“We wrote ‘Hard Life’ at the beginning of 2020 so this is our obligatory pandemic song, so to say,” Andrea recounts. “We were living on a farm in the middle of nowhere. We lived in a barn with horses and chickens and it was gorgeous and peaceful but also about an hour north of Atlanta. With the constant feeling of impending doom and uncertainty, we started to feel a little isolated. Mud started writing this song on our front porch surrounded by chickens and staring out across a golden prairie thinking what it might be like if we never left that place again. The song is mildly depressing with hopeful undertones. We wanted it to be sad and beautiful. A lot like our time in the middle of nowhere.”

Listen below.

Recorded at Standard Electric Recorders Co., “Hard Life” is a tantalizing taste of the group’s forthcoming release. You can catch Andrea and Mud live this month and the next as they perform through the South with fellow local Wordy. Check out the full list of dates below.

Mar 10 – Hey Joe’s – Cleveland, MS
Mar 11 – Enoch’s Pub – Monroe, LA
Mar 13 – Cannon + Belle – Austin, TX
Mar 15 – Sagebrush – Austin, TX
Mar 17 – Carousel Lounge – Austin, TX
Mar 18 – Bandit Town Texas Bound – Manor, TX
Mar 19 – Juke Joint – Ocean Springs, MS
Mar 31 – Luna Star Cafe – Miami, FL
Apr 01 – Blue Heaven – Key West, FL
Apr 02 – Kilted Mermaid – Vero Beach, FL
Apr 03 – Ella’s Folk Art Cafe – Tampa, FL
Apr 23 – Inman Park Parade – Atlanta, GA
Apr 24 – Inman Parkfest – Atlanta, GA
Apr 29 – Burns Alley – Charleston, SC
Apr 30 – Over Yonder – Savannah, GA

More Info
Web: andreaandmud.com
Bandcamp: andreandmud.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @andreaandmud
Instagram: @andreaandmud
Twitter: @andrea_colburn