In a few days Tom Hamilton will join Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, Dave Schools and Jeff Chimenti at Los Muertos Con Queso in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Then in February, Tom Hamilton and his American Babies project will perform a series of East Coast shows (beginning with a February 4 opening slot for the Disco Biscuits at The Fillmore in Philadelphia). March will find Hamilton at Brooklyn Bowl for six nights with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead with plenty more to follow on all fronts (including JRAD’s headlining date at Red Rocks on April 29).
Photos by Dean Budnick
What will you remember most about 2016?
David Bowie’s Blackstar. I think it is a masterpiece. Beautiful, sincere, and most importantly it’s original. I found it incredibly inspiring in so many ways. The fact that a 69 year old man made something so unique is a testament to originality in the craft. In a day when most releases are written with an eye looking backwards for reference, this album hits me as two focused eyes pinned on what lies ahead. For Bowie, that was death, and he was ready for it. Which leads me to the other most inspiring aspect of this record. He knew he was dying, and managed to meet his destiny with an unparalleled grace and acceptance that, while I’m sure it helped him accept his fate, I feel was made to help us all cope with his passing. And yes, his death was certainly a huge event in 2016 (along with too many other greats that we lost), but I will choose to remember gaining Blackstar and all of its genius more than I will remember losing Mr Bowie, himself.
Which album or albums have you listened to most this past year?
Aside from the aforementioned Bowie album, Michael Kiwanuka’s Love & Hate really did it for me, as well. I’m not big on folks making records that sound like that were made 30 years ago, but Kiwanuka delivers. “Black Man In A White World” is the truth.
What were your favorite shows of 2016?
Acoustic w/ Bob Weir – 4/8 – Sweetwater Music Hall – Mill Valley, CA
We were playing a Billy & The Kids warmup show, and Bobby and I did a short acoustic set to start the night off. I always loved the Dead’s version of “Silver Threads and Golden Needles” from the Fillmore 5/15/70, and I got Bob to play that one. We closed with a Birdsong that got pretty out there. It was really fun
JRAD 8/25 – Lockn’
This was one of those nights where time didn’t exist. We were slated for a 90 minute set, but after we finished the first segment and saw that we had already played for like 45 minutes, I knew we were going over. We finished at almost three hours and it was awesome.
American Babies – 12/9 – Orange Peel – Asheville, NC
Our set was part of Warren’s Xmas Jam Pre-Party and this was one of the last shows of our tour, so we were really loose. We hit the first chord and we knew right away that we had the crowd, so we just had fun up there. We were calm, took chances, and really got the house going. Felt great.
What emerging artists should we watch out for in 2017?
I really dig Car Seat Headrest. I think this is a guy who is just making records that he wants to make. There’s no gratuitous sentimentality, just great songs with interesting arrangement. Haven’t seen the band live yet, but I can imagine they have fun up there.
Any big plans in the works for 2017?
Oh man, when don’t I have big plans?? First thing’s first: I just started writing sessions for what will eventually be the next American Babies album. Starting these records is always so exciting and I’m pretty curious about where the muse takes me this time.
Of course, there will be plenty of live shows. The Babies and JRAD will both have healthy schedules. And then there is this new band with Jeff Chimenti, Billy Kreutzmann, Dave Schools, and Bob Weir that I’m doing in Mexico at the end of January. Not really sure what the future holds for this project but I’m pretty excited to do these first few shows and see where it goes.
No Comments comments associated with this post