As the former frontman of Easyworld, a British indie rock outfit that disbanded in 2004, David Ford established a reputation as a talented singer, songwriter, guitarist, and pianist. He then parlayed those skills into a solo career, releasing the debut album I Sincerely Apologise for All the Trouble I've Caused in 2005. After gaining an audience in his native England, Ford traveled to Texas to play at the 2006 SXSW festival, where a particularly strong performance led him to a deal with Columbia Records. The label reissued his solo record in America, and Ford returned to Europe to support Suzanne Vega on her U.K. tour. Songs for the Road arrived in 2007, with a stateside release following in early 2008 on Original Sire Recordings