Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor, childhood friends and Alabama natives, formed Azure Ray in 2001 in Athens, GA, before becoming key figures in the Saddle Creek community in Omaha, NE. Their debut self-titled album, released on Warm Records, blended folk, pop, and light electronica. They continued to release music and also contributed to albums by artists like Moby and Bright Eyes, while being part of Andy Lemaster's project, Now It's Overhead.

After a seven-year break pursuing solo careers, Taylor and Fink reunited as Azure Ray in 2009, releasing their fourth album, Drawing Down the Moon, in 2010. They continued their musical journey with the electronic-leaning As Above So Below in 2012. Their latest release, Waves, marks their 8th studio album and first new recordings in 6 years, out on Flower Moon Records as of October 26, 2018.