By: Christopher Aloysius Mariotti
Editor’s note: Joining me for the interview were Dan Hamilton (guitar, mandolin, banjo, vocals), Jeff Chen (cello, mandolin), and Parker Hu (vocals, guitar). Missing were Mik Walker (bass) and Matt Futoma (percussion).
Good evening! It’s a great privilege to meet with you three. I’d like to begin with defining what Them Damn Hamiltons is. So many various adjectives have been used: dark, indie, gypsy, country, old Irish, even a little sea shanty. One thing in common, though, is folk. Do you appreciate the array of description? Or is there something specific you’re trying to create?
Dan: I think we’re often asked for our style, and what I think I prefer is the enigmatic answer. I also like letting people decide for themselves. Interesting music to me is something that doesn’t easily fall into one or two categories, and that’s what I shoot for when I’m writing songs. I say make the music and let people decide for themselves what they’d like to call us. It’s more fun that way, too.
Jeff: It’s really kind of hard to describe. We all have incredibly diverse backgrounds that we bring to the table, actually, that’s one of the best things about being a part of the Hamiltons. So while all those adjectives do apply, you’re absolutely right, we’re carrying on the folk tradition of getting together, playing music, sharing ideas, stories, and enjoying in the act of creating art.
Pertaining to the umbrella of folk, you are a finalist at this year’s Connecticut Music Awards, in the Best Folk/Traditional category. That’s a very strong genre in Connecticut, so a thousand congratulations! Have you already picked out your gowns?
Dan: We were thinking more along the lines of giant bear costumes. But I kid. Mostly. We’re just happy to be nominated. It’s a real honor to get such amazing feedback from our peers and we’re humbled to be included in such an esteemed event.
Parker: Ditto about the bear costumes. To be honest, we were all surprised to find out we were nominated, especially for that category. As pointed out in that first question, we have a hard time explaining what we play to people. I think ‘traditional’ is not something we expected to be described as. But as Dan said, we’re just honored and humbled to even have been considered in the CTMA’s. Going back to the costumes, we haven’t ruled out assless chaps.
Dan: For the record, we take the nomination very seriously. Ourselves, not so much.
Along those lines of group diversity when it comes to the band’s sound, it’s curious wondering how you five all got together. I say this with no disrespect, but if someone saw you walking down an alley together, she might say you are a motley crew! You are a very eclectic bunch.
Jeff: Well, I’d like to think that music has no barriers and that it doesn’t particularly matter that we’re not all cookie-cutter, so to speak. We’re all different, and we bring different influences and backgrounds to the table. And that definitely contributes to the overall Hamilton sound. Which is why we all consider ourselves Hamiltons at heart. And spirit. Well, that and Hamilton is a damn cool name.
Dan: We got together when the last group I played with – Earnest Hem’n’haw and the Shotgun Republic – recruited Matt, who kindly brought Jeff along. The band eventually dissolved and the three of us picked up where that left off. We soon realized we needed a proper singer and some bass. I had met Parker at an open mic in our hometown of New Milford, CT and while driving back from a rehearsal, one of her songs came on my iPod shuffle. I immediately called her up and, shockingly, she jumped on board! Mik joined soon afterward with a well-placed ad on the old band-maker, Craigslist. So a bit of luck and a lot of determination.
Jeff: It is kind of funny though, I don’t remember feeling like there was a “break-in” period, right? As cliche as it sounds, when we all started playing together as a group, the sound just took on a life of its own. It’s like all the pieces were meant to fall into place. I’ve honestly never felt as comfortable with another band as I do with the Hamiltons.
Dan: Same here. The pieces very much fell into place right away. That’s part of what makes this so effortless and fun.
Parker: I join in on this group hug also.
I want to hug you three right now myself. I’ve been in my share of bands over the years. It’s obvious you all have great love and respect for one another. Especially in a scene were quite a few bands have lost members for one reason or another.
Jeff: Well, we’ve all been in a couple of those ourselves. I think we’ve all been scarred in some way, shape, or form, so I guess that just makes us even more lucky that we get the chance to play together.
Dan: To be honest, I can’t imagine this band without anyone in it.
Parker: We do have a great deal of respect for each other, that I can say for sure. And we’ll be happy to give you a hug the next time we see you. We’ll even shower beforehand!
I accept, and I will certainly hug the fuck out of you all in return. Even the two members who arent here. Imagine the look on their faces at that moment. Now, your eponymous EP was released in 2012. Are you working on new music together right now?
Dan: We’re actually heading into the Carriage House to record our first full length record the weekend following the CMAs. And we cannot be more excited!
Parker: We have a lot more new material that we’re excited to finally record.
Jeff: We are always working on new music, actually. We have some very interesting ideas that we’re finally getting a chance to flesh out and the chance to get into the studio, and especially one as highly praised as Carriage House, is kind of a dream come true. It’s going to be very exciting for all of us, and we’re really happy to get a chance to give our friends, families, and fans something new to listen to.
Describe the writing process. How are your songs created within the group?
Dan: Most of the time, one of us starts with a rough idea of something they’ve been chewing on, and we all kind of woodshed it together at our rehearsals into a solid, manageable form. From there, usually, Parker or I decide who wants to tackle the words (or both!) and Poof! A TDH ‘baby’ is born. That said, the process is so fluid and organic, thanks to the crazy talent of these guys, that it’s a lot easier than it’s really ever been for me, as a songwriter. I feel like we’ve all got that “stand back and let a song do what it wants to” idea which really helps songs develop themselves. Plus, there’s no ego which helps things a TON.
Jeff: I feel like that this is a group where the writing credit really needs to go to everybody in the band. We are open to trying different ways of doing things, or creating a unique sound, and we constantly experiment with different instrumentation, and we just kind of let it grow organically into whatever it wants to be. Everybody kind of knows their “role” so to speak, so we try to leave space for everybody to do their thing. It’s kind of hard with so much virtuosity in the band. Sometimes, we have to remind ourselves that simple can be just as beautiful as complicated.
Being a fan of the EP, I’m beyond excited to hear what you have brewing! Let’s switch gears for a moment, and get into The Hamiltons live. On Friday night, you will be at Arch Street Tavern, in Hartford, performing at the Willie Nelson Birthday Bash. All proceeds are being donated to the Connecticut chapter of the Northeast Organic Farmer’s Association.
Dan: Can I say how happy I am to be playing for the farmers? I’m a huge fan of farming.
Parker: We were and are so thankful for a chance to be part of it!
Jeff: Oh yeah. CT NOFA is an awesome organization, and I’m extremely psyched to be doing stuff for them. More local foods!!
Parker: In case anyone will be looking for Mik that night, he unfortunately won’t be there as he is out of town. But we will have another English bass-playing doppelganger present as his stand in.
Are you allowed to say which Willie song you’ll be covering, or is it supposed to be a mystery?
Dan: We’ll be tackling “On the Road Again.” Being that we love minor keys, we tried it in a minor key but one of our significant others quickly set us straight.
Parker: Plus, the life we love IS making music with our friends
Jeff: I don’t know about the rest of you guys, but it’s a song that speaks pretty dear to how I feel about the Hamiltons.
Editor’s note: at this point, bassist Mik Walker joined the conversation
Mik, welcome! This question is directly for you: whose idea was it to let these three out unsupervised tonight?
Mik: Hi, Chris, and thanks for the welcome. It is an ongoing trial for me as the elder statesman of the band trying to keep the whippersnappers in tight rein. Some of them enjoy that kind of thing, others do not respond quite so positively.
Every band needs that influence. Godspeed to you on keeping these rascals tamed.
Dan: There a reason they call us Them Damn Hamiltons.
A couple weeks back, you performed at the Meriden Daffodil Festival. I was fortunate enough to see the performance, which was remarkable. But, how’d you have the energy to perform so early in the day? Rock stars are supposed to be night-creatures.
Mik: Thanks, it’s nice, if unusual, to be appreciated in that regard.
Dan: Thanks, Chris. We actually rehearse first thing on Saturday mornings so 11:30am was late for us!
Jeff: We are, surprisingly, morning people. Honestly, you should try early morning rehearsals. You get a surprising amount done on coffee and pretzels.
Dan: This is the most responsible band ever. We’re hours early for sound checks, we have spread sheets for band funds and merchandise, and everything is planned months in advance. It’s counter intuitive to our reckless rock star dreams (hah!) but hey, it seems to work.
Parker: Not to say that the expectation for bands is the opposite of that. It’s just that I had to start buying shirts with a calculator pocket after joining TDH.
Jeff: Honestly, we do it because there are so many unsung heroes in the music scene that go uncredited. Every sound guy, every booking agent, every person who gives their all, putting together all the incredible shows that we’ve been a part of deserve our best. So we like to be as organized as possible, come early to the venues, be respectful, and treat everybody the way we’d like to be treated.
Dan: Plus, we’ve all had experience playing with others and I’d like to think we’ve got a better handle on how to keep things stress and drama-free by now.
You know, I have had such a fun time tonight. I think your quirky personalities certainly contrast any darkness found in your songs. Which is excellent. But one last thing: Them Damn Hamilkittens. Will there be a graphic novel? The world needs this.
Dan: In a word: yes.
Jeff: Oh, I think so. If you’re at all curious, we do invite you to join our Them Damn Hamiltons mailing list. We have newsletters!
Newsletter, maybe a graphic novel, and definitely a new record. Them Damn Hamiltons: thank you for your time tonight! Looking forward to the show Friday. Cheers!
Please visit Them Damn Hamiltons on their Facebook page. They assure me you’ll be welcomed properly. Maybe with assless chaps.
Lonesome Noise 