Hamell On Trial, aka acerbic Syracuse singer-songwriter Ed Hamell, today digitally releases a new 8-track EP, 'Ed Hamell Is The Happiest Man Alive' via New West Records (get hold of it here), and is about to set out on a UK and Ireland tour in support - have a listen to the EP sampler here:

While he's been plying his trade of, by turns, rapidfire acoustic punk and rootsier folk with the occasional slackerish edge, sharp of both tongue and plectrum, since 1989, he was recently brought to our attention by BBC Radio 6 Music's Tom Robinson, who had Hamell as a special guest at his London gig on Saturday night and will be hosting him in the studio this Saturday, January 19 - tune in here.

Writing in a blog post about the first time he saw Hamell, at a gig at London's Borderline in 2001, Robinson says: "That night I witnessed perhaps the sharpest, loudest, funniest, most breathtaking solo show it has been my privilege to witness. Ever. A badass wisecracking tough-talking bald-headed forty year old with a 1937 Gibson L-00 and a huge Fender amp walked briskly up to the mic. He proceeded to unleash a full-on sonic assault of music, stories and sardonic humour that held the entire audience captivated and left us baying for more." Read the post in full here.

Hamell's previously recorded an ace version of his track 'There Is A God' for a BBC session in 2002, which you can download below:

As well as performing a number of solo dates this month and next, Hamell will be playing with New York antifolk scene luminary Lach as 'The Kings Of Antifolk' tour - here are the dates:

JANUARY:
Tue 15 - Brudenell Social Club, Leeds w/Lach
Wed 16 - New Adelphi Club, Hull w/Lach
Thu 17 - Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff w/Lach
Sun 20 - The Greystones, Sheffield w/Lach
Mon 21 - Guitar Bar, Nottingham w/Lach
Tue 22 - Leicester Square Theatre, London w/Lach
Wed 23 - Oran Mor, Glasgow w/Lach
Thu 24 - The Workman's Club, Dublin

FEBRUARY:
Sat 23 - Cyprus Avenue, Cork
Sun 24 - Spirit Store, Dundalk

Meanwhile, have a watch of the video below for a preview of Hamell's live show: