Explosions in the Sky, comprising Mike Smith and Munaf Rayani (guitars), Michael James (bass), and Christopher Hrasky (drums), was formed in 1999 in Austin, Texas under the name Breaker Morant. They released their first album, How Strange, Innocence with Temporary Residence Limited in 2000. In 2001, the band released their second album Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever, which was widely distributed and led to a critical breakthrough for the band. As the band's money and concentration began to decrease, they returned to Midland, Texas, where The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place was recorded. The band worked day jobs to play in an office building basement.
