 Annie and Susy, both natives of Fargo, North Dakota, moved to Minneapolis around 2000 where they met Bill Morrisette of Dillinger Four.He suggested that they start a band with his girlfriend, Sturgeon, and were practicing with Dillinger Four's Lane Pederson filling in on drums by 2001.The name originates from when Annie was serving coffee at a previous job, a customer offered "your band should be called The Soviettes" instead of a tip.