The Lone Bellow began as a songwriting project for Zach Williams, whose wife had suffered temporary paralysis following a horseback riding accident.

Previously, Williams had been performing as a solo act around Brooklyn and New York City, occasionally being backed by a hired band.

Williams recalls when The Lone Bellow's guitarist and old friend, Brian Elmquist met at Dizzy's Diner in Park Slope.

Williams invited fellow singer Kanene Pipkin to join them at the diner, and it was then that the trio was initially conceived.

[3] In 2012, the group signed with Descendant Records, a newly formed imprint of Sony Music,[4] and released its self-titled debut, produced by Charlie Peacock, in January 2013.