Prior to the formation of Phox, many eventual members collaborated with Zach Johnston for his album
Sonntag, which was written in San Francisco, but recorded in Wisconsin. Some time later while Matt Holmen was playing with Davey Roberts, Matt Roberts (keys), and Jason Krunnfusz (bass) in Baraboo. The group connected once again for what was originally thought to be a one-off show at the local event, Boo Bash on May 4, 2011. The band released their EP
Confetti in early 2013, for which they created a video component for each track. 2013 also saw a
Daytrotter session, positive press, a spot at
South by Southwest and a national tour opening for
Blitzen Trapper. The band played
Lollapalooza as a last-minute addition in August 2013, drawing a large crowd despite their midday spot. In September 2013 Phox opened for
The Lumineers at
Apple's
iTunes Festival in London. Local Wisconsin publication
Isthmus praised Phox as one of the year's greatest musical success stories. In 2015, Phox supported
Paolo Nutini and
The Head and the Heart, while also headlining around the US non-stop. In March 2015, they made their debut in New Zealand and Australia during March 2015. They were featured on
NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concert. Other notable festival stops included
Coachella, Bonnaroo, Firefly, Summerfest, Sasquatch, and the inaugural Eaux Claires Music and Arts Festival where they also screened their latest
mockumentary film titled,
Amor Fati, directed by member Zach Johnston. The film was uploaded publicly to
YouTube on December 24, 2015. The band signed to Partisan Records, and were managed by Foundations Artist Management. They recorded their first full-length, self-titled album at April Base –
Justin Vernon's home studio in
Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Phox announced an indefinite hiatus on October 17, 2016, after which they decided to conclude their time as a band and played their farewell concert at the
Al. Ringling Theatre in their hometown of Baraboo, Wisconsin, on February 4, 2017. ==Members==