--- title: "Tom Hamilton is Goin' Down the Road: Inside his New Album \"I'm Your Vampire\"" description: "Tom Hamilton discusses his new album \"I'm Your Vampire\" - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW" image: https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/Hamilton%201x1.png --- [Skip to the main content.](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tom-hamilton-is-goin-down-the-road-inside-his-new-album-im-your-vampire#main-content) [![MFP Logo - Stage 2 Flat Black Orange-1](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-1.jpg?width=1600&height=1600&name=MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-1.jpg "MFP Logo - Stage 2 Flat Black Orange-1")](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com) [![MFP Logo - Stage 2 Flat Black Orange-1](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-1.jpg?width=1600&height=1600&name=MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-1.jpg "MFP Logo - Stage 2 Flat Black Orange-1")](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com) - [Home](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com) - [Podcast](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/podcast) - [Campfire Blog](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog) - [Festival Documentaries](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/music-festival-documentary-films) - [Band Interviews](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/band-interviews) - [Get in Touch](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/contact) Search Toggle Menu Search Toggle Menu - [Home](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com) - [Podcast](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/podcast) - [Campfire Blog](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog) - [Festival Documentaries](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/music-festival-documentary-films) - [Band Interviews](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/band-interviews) - [Get in Touch](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/contact) - Example Link - Example Link - Example Link 3 min read # Tom Hamilton is Goin' Down the Road: Inside his New Album "I'm Your Vampire" [![Picture of Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png) Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8) : Feb 14, 2026 12:00:00 PM [festival venue preview](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/festival-venue-preview) [music festival news](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/music-festival-news) [MFP Brand Partner](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/mfp-brand-partner) ![Tom Hamilton is Goin' Down the Road: Inside his New Album ](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/Hamilton%201x1.png) In Episode 69 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I share a wide-ranging conversation with Tom Hamilton that explores the festival bubble, grief and loss, creative resilience, and how music and community help us find meaning during life’s most uncertain moments. Today’s episode features someone I had the chance to see play live for the first time last summer, and it was one of those performances that sticks with you. [Tom Hamilton](https://www.tomhamiltonjr.com/) — guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, producer, and a man who just might know a few Grateful Dead tunes if you ask him — joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about music, memory, loss, and what it means to keep moving forward creatively.     Before we get there, I want to recognize our presenting sponsors: [DLaw Coffee Company](https://dlawcoffeecompany.com/), [Whippersnap Music & Arts Festival](https://www.whippersnapfest.com/), [Florida Sand Music Ranch](https://floridasandmusicranch.com/), and the [Will McLean Foundation](https://willmclean.com/). Without these supporting neighbors, this traveling circus wouldn’t be possible. They also understand something important — that live streams, short-form video, and archived festival footage have become the go-to way fans stay connected when they can’t be everywhere at once. ### GOIN' DOWN THE ROAD ![Hamilton 1x1](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Hamilton%201x1.png?width=320&height=320&name=Hamilton%201x1.png)My first time seeing Tom play live was during last summer’s trip to Columbia, Maryland, part of the [All Good Presents](https://www.allgoodpresentslivemusic.com/dark-star-jubilee-kicks-off-the-2026-all-good-trifesta-season/) [“Trifesta”](https://www.allgoodpresentslivemusic.com/trifesta/) run of festivals. The refreshed [All Good Now](https://youtu.be/zqLgrSGbvBw) stop at Merriweather Post Pavilion was the second of three AGN-branded events spread across very different venues, and it turned into a weekend I’ll always remember. [JRAD](https://joerussosalmostdead.com/)’s set that night was powerful, immersive, and deeply human — the kind of performance that makes time feel irrelevant. Looking back, it felt like the perfect place to begin my conversation with Tom. What I didn’t fully appreciate at the time was what was happening just down the road in Washington, D.C. While a major protest unfolded during a military parade marking the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, none of that reached us inside the festival gates. For a few hours, the outside world faded, replaced by music, rhythm, and connection. That’s the music festival bubble — fragile, temporary, and incredibly meaningful. One of the clearest examples of that spirit came through my friend Joe McName, a man whose default response to the world is generosity. Hugs, “I love yous,” and an uncanny ability to sense when someone needs comfort. That kind of unnecessary kindness is part of what protects the festival bubble and keeps it magical. For that lesson, and for Joe, I’ll always be grateful. After the break, Tom and I rewind even further — back to one of the first times I ever saw him play at all. It was May of 2021, streamed into my garage via Nugs.net, during the [Billy & The Kids](https://www.billkreutzmann.com/billy-and-the-kids) “Grateful Mahalo” run celebrating Bill Kreutzmann’s 75th birthday. That project brought together Kreutzmann, Tom Hamilton, [Aron Magner](https://www.instagram.com/aronmagner/?hl=en), [Reed Mathis](https://www.reedmathis.com/), and an incredible list of guests, including [Billy Strings](https://www.billystrings.com/), Carlos Santana, and [James Casey](https://www.jamescaseysax.co/). ![Screen Shot 2026-02-10 at 10.25.51 AM](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202026-02-10%20at%2010.25.51%20AM.png?width=649&height=345&name=Screen%20Shot%202026-02-10%20at%2010.25.51%20AM.png) ![Screen Shot 2026-02-10 at 10.25.36 AM](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202026-02-10%20at%2010.25.36%20AM.png?width=257&height=345&name=Screen%20Shot%202026-02-10%20at%2010.25.36%20AM.png)               [James Casey](https://www.jamescaseysax.co/about)’s presence looms large in this episode. A brilliant saxophonist and vocalist known for his work with Trey Anastasio Band, Soulive, Lettuce, and beyond, James passed away in August 2023 after a two-year battle with colon![Screen Shot 2026-02-10 at 10.26.05 AM](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202026-02-10%20at%2010.26.05%20AM.png?width=709&height=369&name=Screen%20Shot%202026-02-10%20at%2010.26.05%20AM.png) cancer. What’s worth remembering — and honoring — is that James continued to perform and advocate for early cancer screening throughout his illness. Tom speaks openly about what it meant to play alongside James, and how that experience shaped him both musically and personally.   ### **LETTING THE MUSIC LEAD** From there, the conversation shifts into the present with Tom’s new solo album, [*I’m Your Vampire*](https://music.apple.com/us/album/im-your-vampire/1844612689), his first full-length release under his own name, out January 23 via AWAL and Relix. The record feels reflective, intentional, and deeply personal — shaped by loss, growth, and creative recalibration. When I asked Tom which song on the album carried the most meaning, his answer led us into a candid discussion about his father’s battle with cancer and how improvisation — listening, responding, adapting — became a framework for navigating grief and change.![Tom 1x1 Blog Photos - Use for featured image](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tom%201x1%20Blog%20Photos%20-%20Use%20for%20featured%20image.png?width=272&height=272&name=Tom%201x1%20Blog%20Photos%20-%20Use%20for%20featured%20image.png) We close by talking about Tom’s new SiriusXM show, *Goin’ Down the Road with Tom Hamilton*, a monthly program on the Grateful Dead Channel that continues his lifelong relationship with this music and its stories. This episode is about more than a record or a setlist. It’s about how music helps us process the things we can’t always put into words — and how festivals, community, and improvisation give us a place to feel it together. As always, I’m NeighborN8, and I hope to be your neighbor at a festival soon. ### Festival Performance of the Week: Ekoostik Hookah -- "Timber" with Phil Risko at Spring Hookahville 2025 Watch Ekoostik Hookah's performance of "Timber" with former bassist Phil Risko during night 3 of Spring Hookahville 2025 (HV60) at Roost on the River Music Centre in Newark, Ohio.   Video Credit: [@musicfestivalspodcast](https://www.youtube.com/@musicfestivalspodcast)— Ekoostik Hookah -- "Timber" with Phil Risko at Spring Hookahville 2025 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![HangCon 2026 Recap: Beginners Guide to Hammock Camping](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/Bananna%20Hammock%20Hang.jpg)](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/hangcon-2026-recap-beginners-guide-to-hammock-camping) #### [HangCon 2026 Recap: Beginners Guide to Hammock Camping](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/hangcon-2026-recap-beginners-guide-to-hammock-camping) ![Picture of Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png?width=30&name=Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png) [Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8) : Feb 11, 2026 12:00:00 PM In Episode 68 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I recap HangCon 2026 at Florida Sand Music Ranch while celebrating the Will McLean Foundation’s... [festival venue preview](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/festival-venue-preview) [music festival news](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/music-festival-news) [MFP Brand Partner](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/mfp-brand-partner) [Read More](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/hangcon-2026-recap-beginners-guide-to-hammock-camping) [![Coffee, Community, and Carrying the Flame with Drury Anderson](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202026-02-06%20at%202.00.51%20PM.png)](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/coffee-community-and-carrying-the-flame-with-drury-anderson) #### [Coffee, Community, and Carrying the Flame with Drury Anderson](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/coffee-community-and-carrying-the-flame-with-drury-anderson) ![Picture of Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png?width=30&name=Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png) [Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8) : Feb 10, 2026 10:57:18 AM In Episode 67 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I share a conversation with Drury Anderson of Mountain Grass Unit to talk about music, community and... [festival venue preview](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/festival-venue-preview) [music festival news](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/music-festival-news) [MFP Brand Partner](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/mfp-brand-partner) [Read More](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/coffee-community-and-carrying-the-flame-with-drury-anderson) [![UPDATE: The Hulaween 2026 Lineup Has Dropped](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/Copy%20of%20HULA25-1102-joshskolnikphotos-day4-106.jpg)](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/hulaween-2026-lineup) #### [UPDATE: The Hulaween 2026 Lineup Has Dropped](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/hulaween-2026-lineup) ![Picture of Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png?width=30&name=Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png) [Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8) : Jul 13, 2026 2:33:15 PM Hulaween officially completed its 2026 lineup, adding a final wave of artists that rounds out what is already shaping up to be another unforgettable... [festival venue preview](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/festival-venue-preview) [music festival news](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/music-festival-news) [MFP Brand Partner](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/mfp-brand-partner) [Read More](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/hulaween-2026-lineup) ##### About Music Festivals Podcast About Music Festivals Podcast ![NeighborN8 No Background](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NeighborN8%20No%20Background.png?width=323&height=242&name=NeighborN8%20No%20Background.png) I'm your host [@neighborN8fests](https://www.instagram.com/neighborn8fests/) (follow me on Instagram) and I am stoked to be your neighbor in this little festival adventure we're on.  Join me every Friday as we dive into the music festival scene with onsite footage, interviews, performances and even festival camping hacks so that you can know before you go... Music Festivals Podcast is a weekly podcast with new episodes every Friday everywhere you get your podcasts. Find daily videos of live festival performances and more on the [YouTube Channel.](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClgQs3tJlctNKPDLJ0_Fgyg) Want to get in touch? [Email Neighbor Nate.](mailto:neighborn8@musicfestivalspodcast.com) ##### Featured Festival Highlights Featured Festival Highlights   - Privacy Policy - Become a Guest - Sponsor a Season © 2026 Music Festivals Podcast is a production of NRMedia Group, LLC | All Rights Reserved ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Neighbor N8", "url" : "https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8" }, "dateModified" : "2026-02-14T17:00:00.495Z", "datePublished" : "2026-02-14T17:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Tom Hamilton is Goin' Down the Road: Inside his New Album \"I'm Your Vampire\"", "image" : [ "https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/Hamilton%201x1.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tom-hamilton-is-goin-down-the-road-inside-his-new-album-im-your-vampire", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-2.jpg" } } } ```