American Babies was silently self-released by the band a year ago. But the secret soon spread. Together for a little more than a year, American Babies have already landed several influential gigs, including much-talked-about performances at Philly's World Music Caf�, Chicago's Wicker Park Festival and Bonnaroo. In addition, American Babies have become "next-big-thing" darlings for such prestigious showcases as the Paste/OurStage South by Southwest Opening Night Party at Stubb's and the Rhapsody/CMJ Conference Kickoff Event. The chemistry and magical X-factor this band possesses is already apparent, even contagious.

At the time Hamilton started writing acoustic roots material like the titled track, "American Babies," he was far from home. He'd been writing, performing, and enjoying a swell of critical acclaim with his band Brothers Past --- yielding a wellspring of positive notices that could possibly have been his ticket to the big time. But his heart wasn't entirely in the process as it stood. "For some time, I had wanted to get more into the music I grew up on."