Daily Discovery: Phox, "Slow Motion"

Videos by American Songwriter

There’s something in the water in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The tiny town of 12,000 – most notably the former world headquarters of the Ringling Brothers circus – has produced a disproportionate number of our favorite up-and-coming artists, including Foreign Fields, Daniel and the Lion, and today’s Daily Discovery, Phox.

Simply put, Phox singer Monica Martin is a star. With beauty and style matched by a rich voice that evokes a young Billie Holiday, Martin gives Phox’s quirky approach to songwriting depth and grace. That’s not to say the rest of the band doesn’t stand on their own. Their musicianship is carefree and purely creative. You’ll see what we mean in the ‘Slow Motion’ video below.

The group is gaining traction with a recent performance at Lollapalooza and an upcoming European tour that includes dates opening for The Lumineers.

ARTIST: PHOX

SONG: Slow Motion

BAND BIRTHDATE: Cinco de Mayo 2011

BIRTHPLACE: Baraboo, WI

AMBITIONS: eat and drink well. sing with friends. potentially house ourselves comfortably in the next year

TURN-OFFS: wet socks, enabling bad behavior, skim milk, cargo shorts in general, showboating

TURN-ONS: broken noses, absurdity, full disclosure, the underdog, floral print

DREAM GIG: with Sufjan and David Copperfield at the Al Ringling Theater in Baraboo

WE STARTED PLAYING MUSIC: in Baraboo, despite it.

FAVORITE LYRIC: “I opened my eyes when you were kissing me once, more than once, and you looked as sincere as a dog. Just as sincere as a dog does, when it’s the food on your lips with which it’s in love.” -Parting Gift, Fiona Apple

CRAZIEST PERSON WE KNOW: Magik, one of Monica’s best friends/ local shaman/ master of religious studies. He is the top of her totem.

SONG I WISH I WROTE: When a song or poem can encapsulate a feeling or situation I’ve had–Oh boy, does it make my heart simultaneously sink and swell! “Killing me softly” is about that, in a way… and for that reason I’m choosing that song because it also happens to be amazing.

5 PEOPLE I’D MOST LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH: I try to dodge communication with anyone I admire, but there are many people that I would watch eat dinner.

MY FAVORITE CONCERT EXPERIENCE: This year we all saw Dirty Projectors, that was a trip. Noah Gundersen’s voice shames every nightingale, and seeing him and his band (of on-par talents) was a huge inspiration.

I WROTE THIS SONG: Lyrically, as a commentary on my general behavior– my lethargy, my confusion, and my fear– additionally, the conversation explaining this to someone who likely will never understand where I’m coming from.