Formed in Montréal in 2001, The Besnard Lakes are led by husband-and-wife duo Olga Goreas (vocals, bass) and Jace Lasek (vocals, guitar). The couple is also behind the city's Breakglass Studio, where Lasek has produced and engineered albums for The Dears, Wolf Parade and Islands. After a first attempt at forming a band, the pair released their first album, Volume 1, on their own in 2004. Three years later, musicians Nicole Lizée, Steve Raegele, Kevin Laing and Richard White officially joined the group, in time for the release of The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse. In 2010, the group released their third album, The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night, adding a touch of flute and mellotron to their usual blend of guitars and drums.