Originally formed in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, as the Solar Saturday, they changed their name after moving to Los Angeles, California.
The group issued its first EP as a self-titled affair under the name Solar Saturday in 2001.
Members Chris Colthart and Donna Coppola had previously accompanied Papas Fritas on a tour promoting their third album Buildings and Grounds (2000).
[1] Following a move to Los Angeles, the group reconvened with Colthart, Coppola, Chris Phillips, and Scott Barber, and changed its name to Faraway Places.
[1] The record won the group comparisons to XTC and the Elephant 6 collective.