Chalk Farm

Loyal supporters of Chalk FarM (the capital M carries no special meaning) kept searching for routes to reach the musicians once the band’s website closed. Originally assembled in the early 1990s as a duo in Los Angeles by Michael Duff on vocals and guitar alongside Orlando Sims on vocals and bass, the pair later expanded the lineup. Seeking a fuller sound, they recruited Toby Scarbrough on drums and Trace Ritter on guitar in 1995, turning the project into an alternative rock quartet. Columbia Records inked a deal with the group that December. The following year saw the release of Notwithstanding, a collection of accessible guitar rock whose style invited comparisons to the acoustic pop of Toad the Wet Sprocket. Despite favorable reviews, lack of public interest kept the album from turning a profit, and the label ultimately dropped the band. Duff then launched the independent imprint TIC Records, where the quartet cut Three 2’s—the initials standing for The Inner Circle—distributing it chiefly through online channels to their dedicated followers. On January 31, 2000, disillusioned with the industry, Chalk FarM disbanded, after which Duff pursued a solo career.