Originally beginning as songwriting trio ladyapples (consisting of Tracy Bonham, Nina Gordon, and Michelle Lewis), Kay Hanley joined at Nina's suggestion to replace an exiting Tracy who was beginning a year-long solo tour. When Nina also left to fulfill her own solo obligations, Michelle and Kay re-christened themselves as The Dilettantes, often enlisting a rotating third collaborative member including a returning Tracy Bonham, Leah Andreone, Lisa Loeb, Jill Sobule, Kara DioGuardi, Anne Preven, and even a few guys (Eric Schermerhorn and Curt Schneider).