2015 is shaping up to be a monumental year for Philadelphia-based musician Tom Hamilton, whose American Babies have returned to the studio to record their latest LP; a follow-up to 2013’s Knives and Teeth.

Invigorated by a busy and exciting 2014 that found him on the road with a number of touring acts, Hamilton can be considered “the hardest working person in show business,” and looks forward to funneling that creative energy into American Babies’ newest studio effort. “Everything that’s happened since October 2013 has been surreal,” says Hamilton, “the reception of Knives and Teeth was overwhelming. The tours throughout 2014 were all so fun and exciting. And then there were the incredible opportunities that arose playing with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Phil Lesh, and Bill Kreutzmann, as well as reuniting with Clay Parnell on stage, which all had a huge influence on the narrative of my year. I’m excited to lock myself back in the studio and see how all of these events and new experiences shape the next batch of songs.”

Although American Babies began as a side project for Tom Hamilton with a rotating cast of musicians, the lineup has recently solidified to include Hamilton’s longtime partner-in-crime bassist Clay Parnell (Particle, Brothers Past), keyboardist Adam Flicker (The Brakes), drummer Al Smith, and rhythm guitarist Justin Mazer. With American Babies, Hamilton has turned his focus to songwriting and crafting lyrics that share tales of trials and tribulations ranging from working class hard truths and political chaos to personal relationships gone sour. 

Fearlessly blending a passion for songwriting with the electronica-based improv rock that Hamilton and Parnell developed with Brothers Past, American Babies are pioneering a new sound — fusing serious songs with an open-ended sense of adventure that encourages full-group improvisation in the live setting.

Engineer/Mixer/Producer Mor Mezrich grew up in Israel surrounded by a family of electrical and computer engineers, where his talent for music and technology emerged at an early age.

His career began while still in high school, when he was hired as a studio musician. “I fell in love with the studio environment and the endless possibilities of creating music,” he said. “I wanted to learn everything about music production.”

After moving to the U.S. and spending a few formative years in California — where he was introduced to music from The Beach Boys and the Beatles -– Mezrich attended Berklee College of Music (Summa Cum Laude May 2006), where he was formally trained in music production and engineering. He further mentored with heavy hitters like Al Schmitt at Capitol Studios (LA), Tommy Vicari at Capitol Studios (LA) and Firehouse Studios (Pasadena), George Massenburg and Tal Herzberg (RIP).

Following graduation, Mezrich worked at The Record Plant in LA and Avatar Studios in NYC. He has also worked as a freelance engineer at Westlake Studios (LA), Studio X (Seattle), Red Star Recording (LA), and Flux Studios (NYC), among others.

Armed with experience as both a trained musician and engineer, Mezrich has an in-depth understanding of both the science and the art of recording. “Over the past 20 years, the recording process has changed with advances in technology,” he said. “Yet, the same principles of great production remain. The “Old School” experience I bring to a project is somewhat of a unique experience for many musicians.”

In 2010 Mezrich opened Ears and Gears in New York City inspired by the philosophy introduced to him by his first recording teacher: “it’s the ear, not just the gear.”

Raina Mullen is located in Philadelphia, PA and tours nationally with her band, Ghost Light.

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