Dickins and Kingwell met in 2009, during a cigarette break whilst working at a student union[2] discovering mutual interests such as Regina Spektor and Nick Cave.

[6] Amanda Palmer, a long-time friend of Tom Dickins, promoted the band, often having them open for her at her own shows and performing alongside them.

[7] When recording the last track of the EP, The Debt Collectors, Dickins and Kingwell used social networking websites to advertise a need for backing vocals.

Fuck Plan B. I'll support you in any way I can",[9] Tom announced on 20 May at a show at Revolt Melbourne that he had quit his job and was dedicated to pursuing his musical career full-time.

However, at that point they had not yet accumulated the finances to do this, so, simultaneously, they announced a fundraiser,[10] hosted by Australian crowdfunding website Pozible.

[11] After performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the band did a brief tour of Europe before setting in Seattle to record their album at London Bridge Studio.

In January 2012, The Jane Austen Argument supported The Dresden Dolls as an opening act on their tour of Australia.

On 24 February 2012, the Jane Austen Argument's debut album, Somewhere Under the Rainbow, was made available for pre-release download for those who donated to the Pozible fund.

The arrangement of instruments and singing varies, though Kingwell generally plays the piano more often than Dickins, each contributing vocals equally.

EPs: Singles: Studio albums: Additionally, Tom and Jen directed Sophie Walsh Harrington's Damsel in Shining Armour show at the 2011 Adelaide Fringe Festival, which won the Best Cabaret award.