After hearing Quarashi's album Xeneizes, EMI Music Resources contacted Quarashi to perform at the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival hosted by EMI in conjunction with Flugleiðir in New York City in the fall of 1999.

The EMI emissary met with Quarashi, and the group went into a studio to record six songs (four with vocals), with the EMI emissary watching them.

On 27 April 2000 it was announced that Quarashi had signed a deal with EMI Music Resources, a deal which gave the group creative control.

[citation needed] On 31 August 2000, it was announced that Quarashi had signed a deal with Sony Music Entertainment Incorporated under the Columbia Records label.

The deal was to last for six albums, the first of which would be produced in collaboration with DJ Muggs and Brendan O' Brien.