Singer/songwriter Patty Spiglanin formed the Vagabond Lovers in 1990 so she could belong to a real band. She wasn't into industry politics or schmoozy schemes; she wanted to make music, exploring her native Bay Area for more musical outlets. She and bandmates bassist Evan Eustis, guitarist Michael Zapruder, keyboardist Mike Connor, and drummer Dan Lashkoff maintained a steady rise over a ten year period; their fresh Americana aesthetic earned the attention of Monarch Records at the dawn of the new millennium. The Vagabond Lovers finally had a routine.

Prior to the days of label support and constant financial support, the Vagabond Lovers dragged themselves through the normal process of building themselves a name. Originally tagged the Naked Barbies, Spiglanin and company independently issued three albums under their former moniker -- Dancing With Vacuums (1994), Tarnished (1996), and Living Independently (1998) -- but were only successful selling records at local gigs as well as gaining a small deal with the German label Blue Rose. The group grew tired of the push and pull of mainstream stereotypes, therefore revamped the name and sound. Their rootsy folk-rock appeal expanded and that led the band to tinker around with Living Independently with producer Dave McNair (John Mayall, Patti Smith, Alejandro Escovedo). Such an experience built creativity and sparked motivation and the Vagabond Lovers felt a solid composition arising, a definite union. When I Was You was released in early 2000. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, Rovi