Copeland was originally formed in 2000 by singer Aaron Marsh (who also plays the guitar, mellotron, organ, and piano) with his friend, bassist and backup singer James Likeness, in the city of Lakeland, Florida. Bryan Laurenson, guitarist, and Jon Bucklew, drummer (who took the place of Rusty, ex-drummer of Copeland and drummer on Beneath Medicine Tree) give the band an original sound. In 2002, they signed a record deal with independent label The Militia Group and released their debut album Beneath Medicine Tree a year later. They operate out of Central Florida and have a calm, pop-rock sound. In 2004, 2005, and 2006 they performed at the annual Cornerstone Florida Festival in Orlando, Florida. In Motion, Copeland's second full length CD, was released on March 22, 2005. It was produced by Matt Goldman and Aaron Marsh, and mixed by Ken Andrews. Eat, Sleep, Repeat, Copeland's third full length album, was released on October 31, 2006. Columbia Records announced their signing of Copeland in a press release dated November 14, 2006[1]. "We always said that we would only consider working with a label that was passionate about our band and our music, and the folks at Columbia are just that," the band said in a blog on its MySpace page. “Nothing drastic will change other than the fact that hopefully a few more ears will get to hear our music.” Beneath Medicine Tree features a heavy medical theme. Aaron Marsh admits that the lyrics in this album were inspired by the hospitalisation of his girlfriend and the death of his grandmother. The album booklet includes photographs by bassist James Likeness of hospital scenes.