Tom Hamilton has spent the last 30 years fronting several bands over a handful of genres - including Brothers Past, American Babies, Ghost Light, and he also sings and plays lead guitar in  Joe Russo’s Almost Dead. 

It wasn’t until a series of personal and societal crises compelled the Philadelphia-based musician/songwriter/producer to reconsider his approach and finally forge ahead under his own name.

 “When you're in a van on the road for 20 years, you live in your bubble, you think that your world is one way — and it's not. The pandemic break gave me the time to see that. Then my band broke up and my dad got sick. The only refuge I had was the studio.” 

I’m Your Vampire, Hamilton’s most personal effort yet is a 10-song suite wreathed in tattered-flannel rock & roll that encapsulates Hamilton’s salvation in isolation, as he sorts through the darkness to find a pinpoint of light.

“It takes effort to not just be jaded as we age — to not look at the world in a hardened way,” Hamilton says. “Yeah, it's a dark, dark fucking time, let's make some lemonade.”

His album I’m Your Vampire co-produced by Hamilton and Alex Farrar (MJ Lenderman/Wednesday) is out now via AWAL/Relix. 

Formed in 2015 in Cleveland Ohio, AJ & The Woods was born from a serendipitous meeting between vocalist Alison Tomin and guitarist Joshua Alan Collins at a local open mic. What started as a few jam sessions quickly evolved into a deep musical partnership rooted in shared influences and collaborative songwriting. The duo has since grown into a dynamic five-piece including bass, drums, and fiddle – each member adding new layers to their rich, rootsy sound.

AJ & The Woods brings a fresh energy to roots rock, elevating the genre with a blend of Appalachian folk, delta blues, and contemporary rock & roll. Known for their striking female vocals, intricate guitar melodies, and heartfelt lyrics, the band has carved out a distinct identity that resonates deeply with audiences. At the core of their music is a collaborative songwriting process where Tomin and Collins co-create songs that are both emotionally powerful and musically sophisticated.

Voted Best Folk Artist at the 2023 Cleveland Music Awards, AJ & The Woods plays extensively throughout Ohio and the greater region. They have performed as direct support for international acts including, Chase Rice and The Mary Wallopers, and gracing stages of major festivals such as Bellwether Music Festival (2018 & 2019) and the South Buffalo Irish Festival (2024 & 2025). Following their 2017 self-titled EP, the band released their first full-length album Stay Steady in August 2022. Working on an upcoming full-length release, they have solidified their place as one of the most unique and articulate voices in the modern folk-rock scene.