In pursuit of activating her sculptures with sound, Julia Elsas (M.F.A., 09) started Sonic Mud, a band of professional musicians that showcases her ceramic instruments. Elsas considers her sculptures to be fully realized only when they are being played. Sonic Mud musicians play a range of ceramic instruments hand-built by Elsas: flutes, drums, natural trumpets, shakers, clayrimbas, rain machines, water whistles and more. Their performances are unique and improvisational and September 1, 2023, Sonic Mud recorded and released their first album titled Above Ground.

Sonic Mud musicians include Kenny Wollesen, Madeleine Ventrice, Kirk Knuffke, Mike Irwin, Cyro Baptista, Doug Wieselman, Dalius Naujo, Rich Stein, Pam Fleming, Katie Down, Eléonore Weill, Sae Hashimoto, Aubrey Smith, Jessica Lurie as well as Julia Elsas.

On September 15, Sonic Mud will perform at the Bo Bartlett Center and again on Saturday, September 16 at the Pasaquan.