Tighe had been a member of the Minneapolis power pop band the Hang Ups throughout the '90s, but the couple began the Owls in 1999 when LaBonne and Tighe recorded some songs that she had written, and decided to start a band. After recording an EP (Our Hopes and Dreams) in 2004 and an album in 2007 (Daughters and Suns), the band took a break during which the duo decided to start working on songs of their own. After recruiting former Hang Ups member Stephen Ittner (who had also played in the Owls) to play drums and adding cellist Jacqueline Ultan, the group released a split single with LaBonne's other project, Typsy Panthre, in 2009. After a long wait, the Starfolk's self-titled debut album was released by the Ocean Blue's label Korda in late summer of 2013. ~ Tim Sendra