Hinson was born in Memphis, Tennessee and shortly afterwards moved with his family to West Virginia while his father completed his PhD.

[6] Early in Hinson's childhood his parents would listen to Neil Diamond and John Denver records and instruments such as a little Disney keyboard,[7] a dulcimer and his grandmother's piano were ever-present in the house.

By the end of high school Hinson's tastes had expanded and he felt drawn to the sounds of Sonic Youth, wolf parade and Dinosaur Jr., as well as more popular bands like Nirvana.

[6] He felt constrained by the smallness of his hometown, Abilene, and found escape in skateboarding, drugs and playing guitar.

Sketchbook records signed Hinson two weeks later; a year and a half after the company's initial rejection of the artist.

[7] Inspired by positive reviews and finishing his first full album, Hinson set about re-recording his demo of The Baby and the Satellite.

[10] Hinson encountered trouble with his back after a mishap whilst celebrating Burns night in his hometown in early 2005.

[2] In 2005, Hinson recorded a cover of "Yard of Blonde Girls" for the tribute album Dream Brother: The Songs of Tim and Jeff Buckley.

The album was released via the Yellow Bird Project, with all profits benefiting a children's home in Keller, Texas.

[12] On December 8, 2007, Hinson proposed to Ashley Bryn Gregory at the end of a concert at the Union Chapel in Islington London.