Ellen Kempner released their debut EP as Palehound in October 2013 on Exploding In Sound.

[1] After its release Kempner dropped out of Sarah Lawrence College, went through a break-up, and moved from New York to Boston, during which time they wrote the songs for Dry Food.

[3] Lead single "Molly" was released in June 2015, and Stereogum noted a similarity to the sound of Kempner's roommate Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz.

[4] In 2016 Heavenly Recordings re-released the single as a 7", with a cover of Kelly Clarkson's Miss Independent as the B-side.

[6][7] In February and March 2016 Palehound toured the UK and Europe to support the album.