The Velvet Teen is originally the name of Judah Nagler's electronic solo project, whose official debut was made during a brief Icelandic tour that began on New Year's Eve, 1999.

Elysium was recorded on a laptop by Judah and his brother Ephriam Nagler at various locations in Sonoma County, and mixed at Kingsize Soundlabs in Los Angeles by Dave Trumfio and Mike Krassner.

[4] Several months before the release of Elysium, Whitehurst fell ill, was diagnosed with brain cancer, and subsequently left the band to focus on treatment.

was another stylistic departure and features an IDM-influenced, progressive rock sound that was louder, faster, and livelier than any of their previous work.

On December 3, 2006, original drummer Logan Whitehurst died at his home in Los Banos, CA after a long battle with cancer.

They performed and toured nationally with a new line-up in the fall of 2007; Nagler on bass/keys/vocals, Deitz on drums/vocals, and Matthew Izen of Polar Bears, formerly of The New Trust, on guitar.

In the spring of 2009, Josh Staples rejoined the band, and The Velvet Teen performed as a quartet in San Jose, CA.