Thomas Dollbaum was born and grew up in Tampa, Florida. In 2015, Thomas moved to New Orleans for his master’s in poetry. While in New Orleans, Thomas worked as a carpenter and began writing songs that eventually became Wellswood. The album was recorded over many sessions during the pandemic in New Orleans in an old hotel suite turned recording studio by a friend and fellow musician Matthew Seferian. Thomas still resides there, playing music and running his own carpentry business.