This followed the breakup of Wrenn's previous shoegaze band, Black Olive, who had released one album, Verge.
After shortening their name to Airiel, their debut single, "Shirley Temple Tidal Wave", was released in 1999 by Roisin Recordings.
Bassist/vocalist Cory Osborne and drummer John Rungger left the band in late 2007, and Airiel relocated to Bridgeport, a neighborhood on Chicago's South Side.
Airiel toured the UK and Ireland in April 2008 with Ulrich Schnauss, who had collaborated with the band on The Battle of Sealand track "Sugar Crystals".
[9] The band, now the duo of Wrenn and Andrew Marrah, self-released the single "Bloom" on September 4, 2020, for Bandcamp Friday.