Playing in the Sandbox with Songs

“Real success is when you’re living a noble life and saying what you want to say,” says singer Monica Martin, of eclectic folk/chamber-pop ensemble PHOX. When PHOX arrived at Justin Vernon’s April Base Studios—a place that Martin feels is notable for that honest philosophy—to record their debut album for Partisan Records, it didn’t take long to feel at home. With the help of producer Brian Joseph, who “brought so much clarity” to their vision, they were able to create a collection of old and new songs true to themselves and their scrappy, DIY past without compromise. While they’ve only been a band for a few years, they’ve quickly gotten noticed by playing events like SXSW and Lollapalooza. They have continued to refine their songs onstage, crafting a unique sound that sneaks between genres. “You can’t put a genre stamp on the record because I think it’s all over the place,” Martin says. Though PHOX is Martin’s first serious experience as a lead vocalist, she is gaining confidence with every new PHOX song. “At first, I was really afraid to say anything at all,” she says. “With every new song, I’m feeling more free to be myself…I’m just playing in the sandbox with songs.”