They were originally called Archives[1] and are led by singer-songwriter Mat Brooke, formerly of Carissa's Wierd and Band of Horses.

After a show with Brooke's former Carissa's Wierd bandmate Sera Cahoone they had their track "Sleepdriving" added to Pitchfork Media's Forkcast playlist, which provided them with substantial internet exposure.

Soon afterwards they supported Modest Mouse on seven west-coast tour dates and subsequently signed to Sub Pop for a full-length album.

In February 2010 the band covered the song "Cupid" by Sam Cooke for Starbucks' Sweethearts compilation series.

At their show at The Hoxton in London on August 2, Mat Brooke revealed that the band hoped to record the new album after they had completed the tour.