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What began in 2001, in Knoxville, Tennessee, as a home-taping project by John Totten, with the help of longtime friend and recluse collaborator Mason Neely (also with Rough Trade's Cerys Matthews), has quickly evolved into a nationwide effort involving fourteen musicians over five states. 

John Totten, joined by his brothers Chris and David, as well as close friend Ryan Dixon (of the Lambchop side-project Heroes Are Horses) and producer Neely, released the first Quiet Ones album, Your Inner Ear, in 2004 on the Chattanooga-based In Advance label. Your Inner Ear defined the groups’ sound as nuanced, lo-fi indie pop.  They quickly followed with Your Inner Ear: Volume Two later that year.

The Quiet Ones began recording the Nite You Surprised Me EP with producer and collaborator Neely, who had relocated to Boston. They completed the basic tracking over the course of Christmas breaks and a few weeks here and there over summers. Growing restless in Tennessee, the Totten brothers moved the Quiet Ones across the country, first to Missoula, Montana, and then on to Seattle, Washington.  To finish the EP, they started working through the mail -- sending tracks back and forth across the country.

The six songs comprising the Nite You Surprised Me EP are the bands’ most ambitious work to date.  Filled to brimming with gorgeous harmonies and beautiful arrangements the album combines irresistible song-craft with explorative and intricate layers of instrumentation.  While the Quiet Ones have always worn a love of skillful pop on their sleeves, their latest work is not only more densely structured and elaborately produced, but also demonstrates a more mature control over the open spaces and song structures.

The three Totten brothers are currently settled in Seattle, where they have finished writing their third full-length, to be titled Better Walk Than Ride Like That. The Quiet Ones are planning to begin recording later this year.