The band was formed in 2007[1] by Adelaide-born musicians Ross McHenry, Lachlan Ridge, Kevin Van Der Zwaag and singer Tara Lynch, after they met at university.
[5][6] Despite this setback, the band continued to tour and were signed to Freestyle Records to release their self-titled, debut album in October 2010.
[7][1] The four original members still formed the core of the band as of 2011,[8] with their ranks swollen to number ten musicians by 2012, when they recorded their second album.
[10] The vocals of the now three female vocalists (Tara Lynch having been joined by Naomi Keyte and Laura Knowling) were praised by one reviewer.
Before joining the Transatlantics, Keyte was in the indie band Gold Bloom, which performed at Laneway and Fuse Festivals[19] and released an EP, Sidelines, on 22 September 2012.