This debut record is a culmination of earlier musical experimentations and vocal cameos. In 2003, she contributed backing vocals to a remix of Robert Plant's "Last Time I Saw Her." This stint was followed by a personal recording of Elson singing "Coming Down" that was made available on a CD accompanying the August 2005 issue of Uncut magazine, which was curated by REM's Michael Stipe. In 2006 she dueted with Cat Power on a cover version of "I Love You (Me Either)" for "Monsieur Gainsbourg Revisited," a tribute album to French singer/songwriter Serge Gainsbourg.