[3] The band got its name after Middleton, inspired by Lundy's obsession with the 1920s, found the name "Ocie Cleve" in a 1920s name generator and combined it with the first name of folk singer Elliott Smith.
Middleton's father played acoustic guitar often on camping trips and also inspired his interest in music.
[4] They met and began dating in 2016, when Middleton performed solo at a cafe on Salt Spring Island in which Lundy was working.
They immediately performed a rendition of "Look at Miss Ohio" by Gillian Welch and felt a connection and synergy.
Artists whose songs they performed include Simon & Garfunkel, John Prine, Milky Chance, and Beach House.