In 2003, Vandervelde moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where he began recording local bands and friends in his basement studio.

Culled from the one-man band sessions at Bennett's studio, the album won praise for its winning melodies and dense arrangements.

In 2016, as part of the duo Tess and Dave, he opened for Father John Misty across many of the North American tour dates.

His first full-length album, The Moonstation House Band, was released as both a CD and LP on the Secretly Canadian Label in January, 2007.

The project was called "Tim Kinsella Sings the Songs of Marvin Tate by Leroy Bach featuring Angel Olsen".

The album was mixed in Leroy Bach's home studio in Humboldt Park, Chicago and was limited to 1000 copies on splatter vinyl.