[https://musicbrainz.org/artist/db3c0a20-bf05-4b30-ac22-f294aea24172|Aimee Mann] and [https://musicbrainz.org/artist/3b7051df-c423-4d90-a6ca-aa10c363445d|Ted Leo] were first drawn into each other's circles by the late, great [https://musicbrainz.org/artist/17b46230-6de8-4304-9567-2c16b702ef8a|Scott Miller] ([https://musicbrainz.org/artist/850ebe74-9084-4398-a5ec-76ab1b3f412d|Game Theory], [https://musicbrainz.org/artist/7c7c564f-554f-4600-9f0f-ab0de3059315|Loud Family]), who brought Ted to Aimee's awareness back in 2001. Over the years, they became friendly, which eventually led to a tour and writing together, and '''The Both''' was born. Mann jokes that building these tracks with Leo has spoiled her as a songwriter. She's worked with other musicians in the past – famed producer Jon Brion in particular – but '''The Both''' has been a uniquely rewarding experience, an exercise in setting egos aside and creating with a close friend. Source: [http://web.archive.org/web/20140408030137/http://www.iheg.com/event.asp?show=7627&id=5409|http://www.iheg.com/event.asp?show=7627&id=5409]