Hailing from the fertile Austin, TX, music scene, the Swells specialized in swirling dream pop reminiscent of British shoegazer groups such as Ride, Lush, and My Bloody Valentine, and created richly textured songs soaked in sprawling atmospherics and chiming melodies. Singer/songwriter David Malerba first formed the group in 1992, but within a few years, the initial incarnation of the Swells had dissolved. However, by 1997, Malerba had recruited bassist Alison Cabral, guitarist Andrew Arthur, and drummer/keyboardist Kenneth Suter, and it was this lineup that recorded the group's first EP, electrostaticvibraverb, released on the local Sandwich Records to positive reviews in the fall of 1998. Several songs from this release were included on European compilations, and soon the group had attracted an international following. Bolstered by this success, the Swells began recording the full-length Yesterday's Songs in the fall of 1999; the album was released in early 2000 on the Sandwich label. Following the recording of Yesterday's Songs, the band underwent some lineup changes, as Kenneth Suter quit and was replaced by new drummer John Spae. Rachel Staggs, of Experimental Aircraft, also came aboard as the Swells' keyboardist. In March 2001, the band performed at the South by Southwest Music Conference to enthusiastic crowds and began recording their second EP shortly thereafter. ~ Brandon Gentry, All Music Guide