In Seattle 90s, drummer Leffler admires Joel RL Phelps’ Downer Trio which includes guitarist/vocalist Mercer. Talk ensues. Mutual ideas about good music confirmed. Does Mercer still write his own songs? Yes. Get a bassist, Dan Rathman. Play with the idea of doing something sparse and restrained. Treasure State started in 2000. No rock allowed. Simple. No distortion. Silence is golden. Success. Play some shows. Moneyshot records offers to release full-length. Recorded “Retain the Risk” in 2001, released in 2002. New bassist Sheedy joins after Rathman moves. Tour ensues with Mercer’s brother’s band, the Shins. Shows with Crooked Fingers, Spoon, Mates of State, etc. Good Times. New songs, not too many, recorded in 2003 and 2004 for possible ep. Turns into a sort-of full length to be released by Woodson/Lateral. “Migration”. More sound than before. Out in Jan, 2005 Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.