American Babies is the pseudonym under which Philadelphia-based songwriter, vocalist and guitarist Tom Hamilton can be found creating his most personal and idiosyncratic work. Hamilton and his band will embark on an extensive U.S. tour this fall in support of their latest album, An Epic Battle Between Light & Dark. The 24-date run stops on the East and West Coasts, as well as, the Midwest, including festival appearances at Catskill Chill and Luna Light Festival. Also among the shows will be four special "Masquerade Balls" in four different time zones: New York City, Chicago, Boulder and Mill Valley. The two performances in the latter city's Sweetwater Music Hall will be extra special. Details for these dates along with on-sale info, will be announced shortly.
When he's not out with American Babies, Hamilton—known for his relentless creative drive—also shares his time with bands including Joe Russo's Almost Dead, Billy & The Kids (featuring Grateful Dead drummer Billy Kreutzmann) and Electron. It's American Babies, however, that's the musical home to which he always returns. And thus, American Babies' fourth studio album, An Epic Battle Between Light & Dark, was recorded and released earlier this year on independent Brooklyn label, Royal Potato Family.
True to its title, the songs assembled for this latest effort define epic in sound and spirit. The album's opening track, "Synth Driver," is a sprawling, seven minute-plus War On Drugs-meets-Springsteen surge that spills over with despair, but finds hope in its darkest hours. "Oh Darling, My Darling" boasts eerie, soulful harmonies and a keening guitar solo reminiscent of Pink Floyd. "What Does It Mean To Be" is an exquisite example of Bowie-inspired glam-funk. The brisk "Fever Dreams" starts and ends with horn-peppered twang-rock, but boasts a sparse, pedal steel-augmented bridge that's straight-up vintage country, while the instrumental "Not In A Million Years" segues from zoned-out psychedelic rhythms into a hard-charging coda. And yet with all of it's wide-ranging sonic hue and lyrical depth, these eight songs form a remarkably cohesive statement. Shapeshifting between Americana, psych-tinged indie and vintage rock, An Epic Battle Between Light & Dark proves Tom Hamilton's American Babies to be one of this generation’s most consistently compelling musical endeavors.
Tom Hamilton's American Babies Tour Dates
Sept. 2 - Denver CO - Mile High Spirits
Sept. 15 - Bridgeport, CT - The Acoustic
Sept. 16 - Ardmore, PA - Ardmore Music Hall ^
Sept. 17 - Blakeslee, PA - Midnight Mountain Music Show
Sept. 24 - Pottstown, PA - Canjam
Sept. 25 - Lakewood, PA - Catskill Chill
Sept. 30 - Petaskala, OH - Fennario Music Festival
Oct. 1 - Athens, OH - Drxvms
Oct. 13 - Darlington, MD - Luna Light Festival
Oct. 14 - Darlington, MD - Luna Light Festival
Oct. 15 - Ithaca, NY - The Haunt
Oct. 19 - St. Louis, MO - The Bootleg @ Atomic Cowboy
Oct. 21 - Fort Collins, CO - Hodi's Half Note
Oct. 22 - Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre ^^
Oct. 26 - Columbia, MO - Rose Music Hall
Oct. 28 - Milwaukee, WI - Miramar Theatre
Oct. 29 - Chicago, IL - Tonic Room ^^
Nov. 2 - Buffalo, NY - Iron Works
Nov. 3 - Syracuse, NY - The Westcott Theater
Nov. 4 - Albany, NY - The Hollow
Nov. 5 - New York, NY - American Beauty ^^
Nov. 18 - Mill Valley, CA - Sweetwater Music Hall ^^
Nov. 19 - Mill Valley, CA - Sweetwater Music Hall ^^
Nov. 25 - Plains, PA - River Street Jazz Cafe
^ Philly Is The Boss: A Musical Tribute to Bruce Springsteen
^^ Masquerade Ball
