Ace Enders found success critically and commercially during his tenure as the main songwriter of the Early November. And as much as Ace loved penning rock classics such as "Ever So Sweet," he wanted to be able to write songs that were more experimental, and creative. He wanted to work in his own studio, on his own schedule and create songs that were truly important to him and a pure reflection of who he was as an artist. These desires grew until they finally manifested into I Can Make a Mess, Ace Enders' solo project.