Hamish was born in Ashburton, New Zealand. He has two older brothers, and a younger half brother and half sister.

Hamish has been playing in various bands since he was 11, including one where Bic Runga played the drums. After finishing high school, he got an English Scholarship, but instead chose to go to the Jazz School at Christchurch Polytechnic.

Hamish's favourite bands include : Neil Finn, The Pixies, Dave Dobbyn and The Breeders. The Killers and Coldplay