Financial difficulties, the dissolution of his marriage and Dan Koretzky, president of Drag City, were the impetuses for Berman's new music. Berman was then living off royalties from Drag City. Likely to be his most successful release, the profits from the album and tour were indicated to resolve the $100,000 of loan and credit card debt he had amassed. In a 2005 interview, he said "I've got a credit card rotisserie system that would dazzle the ancients". He stated that this was the only reason he intended to embark on it. He had expressed worries regarding the tour but was excited for his "solitude to end".