In 1999, guitarist/frontman Davey Von Bohlen and drummer Dan Didier from emo powerhouses The Promise Ring wanted an outlet for softer, more downtempo songwriting. Teaming up with Chris Rosenau from Pele, they formed Vermont and released Living Together with their longtime allies at Kindercore. Enveloped in acousticy sadness, the album won critical acclaim, and Vermont followed up with 2002's Calling Albany, which is notable for having the best song ever written about Larry Bird.