Benchmarks began as a solo project for Nashville-based songwriter Todd Farrell Jr., who had toured internationally as a lead guitarist for other artists. He recruited Matt Rewinski (bass) and Jack Whitis (drums), whom he'd met while attending Belmont University, to form his backing band Todd Farrell Jr. & The Dirty Birds. Eventually, though, the group began writing original music together and would self-release the American Night EP in 2015. The band toured regionally for two more years before releasing its debut full-length, Our Undivided Attention, on SofaBurn Records in 2017. The album, which the band produced and recorded themselves, was mixed by Jay Maas (Defeater, Transit, Title Fight, Seaway). Its release was followed by national touring through 2017 and into the following year. Seizing upon the creative momentum created by Our Undivided Attention, Benchmarks began working on a collection of new material in early 2018. Later that year, the band contributed a song entitled "The Good Fight" to a cassette-only split with Denver-based tour mates Bud Bronson & the Good Timers. The band is slated to release their second full-length album Summer, Slowly on August 21, 2020.