by Brittney Corridean
“I don’t mind. We’ve all known each other off and on for a long time and are like family,” Monica Martin, lead singer of the hit indie band PHOX states in regards to being the only lady in the group. For those who aren’t familiar, PHOX is newer to the music scene and already paving their way towards success. The band is made up of six members total, but Martin isn’t bothered by being the only gal.
“On rare occasions, I’m lost between which shoes to wear for a day and I force them to help me,” she says. The band members all met in the town of Baraboo, WI and formed out of various relationships, whether it was a childhood friendship, or just meeting one another the day they moved in together back in 2011. What really connected these six people was their passion for music.
“This wasn’t exactly our life plans. For me it was transitioning from ‘just go with it’ to ‘oh, I could maybe really do this’,” member Matteo Roberts says about the thoughts of releasing an album.
The songs on their debut LP are new and old. Some of them were created a while ago, but just yet to be recorded which they were happy to get done. The album was released just this past June and the band couldn’t be more excited about the way things are taking off. They’ve already achieved so much, touring nationally with Blitzen Trapper and even landing a spot at South By Southwest this year. Not only was being asked to perform an honor for them, but they got to be side by side with some bands that they really admire.
As far as the album goes, the band really enjoys mixing things up and seeing where their music takes them. “We’re all about playing with different soundscapes and color pallets,” Roberts states. “Some songs are sunny jams while others are spacious ballads.”
Martin’s low registered, but airy voice definitely is compelling and the bands relaxed sound really flows together. This can be heard especially in their single, “Slow Motion”. It’s apparent these guys (and gal) are all in tune with one another, and you can catch the movement and the music in action tonight in Philadelphia at Boot and Saddle.
When working on new songs, it can be a little challenging at times. For the most part it all comes together in the end for PHOX and out comes a beautiful, harmonious sound that is catching to the ear. Surely as they continue to grow and develop, so will their sound. It will be interesting to see what their next move is.
“There’s a lot of push and pull initially since there are so many members and we have such varying taste,” Roberts states. “We’ll make 100 compromises and settle for something mostly agreeable. Basically, friendship is how we write songs.”
