Torngat was established in 2001. The band named themselves for the rugged Torngat Mountains to reflect the band's open and improvisational style of their music.[2] The group released its first self-titled album the next year. They developed a stage show in which they frequently exchange instruments during performances.
In 2005 Torngat released an EP, La Rouge. During the spring of 2006, Torngat toured Eastern Canada. Torngat signed a two-album deal with Montreal experimental label Alien8 Recordings.[3] The band recorded a full-length album You Could Be, which was released in September, 2007[3][4] and received positive reviews.[5] That year the band performed at the Hillside Festival in Guelph.[6]