Mitchell was the guitarist and lead vocalist with the rock group Jebediah, and subsequently recorded several solo albums under the name Bob Evans. Parkin has worked with the bands the Foreign Films, Autopilot, and Vinyl, as well as recording several solo albums and touring as a member of Bob Evans' live band. Pyke has enjoyed considerable commercial and critical success since releasing his first EP in 2004. And Temperley is best known as the singer and bassist with the group Eskimo Joe; he was also the one who got the idea of the four musicians working together when Pyke was booked on a tour with Eskimo Joe. Given the busy schedules of the four artists, it was three years after Temperley and Pyke first proposed the idea that they were able to meet up with Mitchell and Parkin for a writing and recording session at Temperley's home studio. Once the schedules were worked out, the foursome was productive, and Basement Birds' debut album was recorded during four week-long sessions in 2009 and released in 2010. ~ Mark Deming