Askew, a
multi-instrumentalist, initially created studio recordings with little (if any) assistance under the name Tracker, but later recruited a revolving lineup of musicians for live performances. Those included
Michael Schorr (formerly of
Death Cab for Cutie) and
Dave Harding (formerly of
Richmond Fontaine). The first album under the Tracker name was
Ames in 2001, followed by
Polk in 2002. Askew transformed Tracker into a full-time touring and recording band after the
Ames album. The first two albums were named after fictional towns in
Iowa that Askew had never visited. The album
Blankets (2004) serves as a soundtrack to a
graphic novel of the same title by
Craig Thompson. That album included guest appearances by
Chris Funk (
The Decemberists),
Willy Vlautin (
Richmond Fontaine), and Adam Selzer (
Norfolk & Western). ==Discography==