Hammell on Trial is the stage name of Ed Hammell, an acoustic guitarist and singer-songwriter who draws inspiration and energy from the brash aesthetic of punk. Although originally from upstate New York, Hammell moved to Austin, Texas where he gained a following with his confrontational anti-folk. 1989’s CONVICTION set the blueprint for Hammell’s lyrical skill, which tackles both personal and social issues, and his highly rhythmic guitar accompaniment, but ‘96’s BIG AS LIFE fleshed it out. Hammell continued to tour and record throughout the ‘90s, signing to fellow anti-folk artist Ani DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records in the 2000s, and releasing increasingly accomplished albums like 2003’s TOUGH LOVE.