Introducing: Hamilton Hound

Following the success of The Distance, praised by BBC Introducing for its powerful spoken-word style, Hamilton Hound (aka Ian Hamilton) returns with Graves., a deeply personal track blending raw honesty with immersive storytelling. Teaming up again with producer James Mason and featuring vocalist Liz Arcane, the song dives into Hamilton’s lived experience—growing up in a working-class Kent town, navigating school as an undiagnosed ADHD kid in the '80s, and using humor as a shield.

Now, with music as his therapy, Hamilton Hound transforms life’s struggles into gripping, soul-stirring sound. In this interview, he opens up about his journey, creative process, and the meaning behind Graves.

Your new single, Graves., is deeply personal and reflects your experiences growing up. What message do you hope listeners take away from this track?

I’m a father to two young men, 18 and 20, and one of the key messages in the song reflects what I try to instill in them—that with drive, ambition, and tenacity, you can achieve anything. Too often, people are judged solely on their academic achievements.

I left school with limited qualifications, and as someone who is neurodiverse, the education system at the time simply labeled us as disruptive or badly behaved, leaving many of us educationally neglected. Despite that, I went on to write a children’s book, paint, create music, and build a successful career in the architectural supply sector. It’s all about how much you want it and have to give.

You’ve described music as your therapy. How has your personal journey—growing up in a working-class town, facing undiagnosed ADHD, and overcoming low expectations—shaped your songwriting?

I think it taught me to fight for everything, never accept no for an answer, and find ways to navigate a system designed to slow you down or stand in your way. This mindset has led me to meet many interesting people and experience both highs and lows—each of which has contributed to my growth. Humour also played a big role, often helping me out of some tricky situations.

BBC Introducing praised your previous single, The Distance, for channeling spoken word through music. How does Graves. build on that storytelling approach, and what was it like collaborating with Liz Arcane and James Mason?

The Distance was about the challenges of navigating love, life, relationships, family, and a career—the struggles that come with it all. Graves, on the other hand, was much more personal to me. It became an anthem about growing up and constantly having to prove myself in an education system that didn’t really accommodate kids like us. I’m not big on labels, but back then, it was called “learning difficulties”—though in reality, we were just seen as a pain in the arse!

I love working with Jim (James Mason)—he’s really become 50% of Hamilton Hound. I see us as a duo rather than a solo act because we share the same musical influences and approach to songwriting and structure. When Graves was finished, we both got a little emotional—it felt like more than just a song to us.

And where do I even start with Liz? She blows me away every time we send her something. When the vocal comes back, it’s almost eerie—like she instinctively knows exactly what we’re looking for and the feel of the song. One reviewer described her voice as “like pouring honey in your ear,” and honestly, I couldn’t agree more.

Your music blends raw honesty with a fresh narrative style. What artists or influences have inspired your unique approach to songwriting?

I draw inspiration from all kinds of artists. Growing up, I listened to a lot of bands like The Specials and Madness—they had a way of telling both dark and light stories about real life.

Then, in the early ‘80s, when I was about 12, I discovered hip-hop and instantly fell in love with it. I’d stay up late listening to a young Tim Westwood and Dave Pearce pushing this new sound from the States on the radio. I’d record those shows and replay them on my Walkman—showing my age now! I’ve always been drawn to wordplay and storytelling, especially the kind that resonates and reflects experiences we all relate to.

With Graves. set for release under Island Farm Studio Records, what can we expect from Hamilton Hound moving forward? Are there more collaborations or projects in the works?

We’ve just released our third single, You Don’t Have To Hide—a much more uptempo, fast-paced track that leans further into my love of hip-hop. Once again, it’s a song with a strong narrative, but we also wanted to show that we’re not a one-trick pony.

This track explores the pain of losing someone and the emotional storm that follows, but it also serves as a reminder that even in our darkest moments, with time, love, and connection, light eventually breaks through.We love collaborating with different artists, so if you like what we do, get in touch!