Sister Hazel formed in Gainesville, Florida in 1994 and was named for Sister Hazel Williams, a local nun who ran a homeless shelter. The group released its self-titled debut album in 1994 through its independent record label, Croakin' Poets and shortly after its release, singer/guitarist Ryan Newell and drummer Mark Trojanowski joined the band. Newell played on the album before officially joining the group. The band's second album,..Somewhere More Familiar was released in 1997 and sold approximately 30,000 copies through its initial pressing, prompting Universal Records to sign the band. Universal re-released..Somewhere More Familiar in late 1997.