They take their name from the work of scientists Harvey Fletcher and Wilden A. Munson. A topic close to many a musician's heart, looking at the definition, calculation and measurement of loudness, these men created ''equal-loudness curves'' - or graphs plotting frequency, and units of loudness called ''phons''.
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It is work that, when exposed to the mind's eye of a couple of talented Queensland music students, both elite athletes of their chosen profession, inspired their band name: the Phoncurves.
They describe their sound as ''fun, light-hearted, and full of harmonies''. The Phoncurves are a sweet Brisbane duo making an impression on the indie pop scene right now.
The pair, both studying music at the Queensland Conservatorium, had the opportunity to soak up all kinds of musical influences while there, infusing their work with a gentle pop eclecticism.
One half of the pair, Naomi Hodges, says, ''History of music was one of the strands that we studied. And it was a really great subject …We took popular music, so it was a popular spin on all music dating back to the start of music, Gregorian chants and things like that, up until pretty much now. It was great, we were exposed to a lot of different styles.
''We also did studio production,'' Hodges says. ''So getting excited about how to use equipment is something that definitely helps us and shaped our music.''
Selected as a Triple J Unearthed feature artist, they have a catchy, loveable vibe that leaves you eager to hear more. And this is just what Hodges and bandmate Abbie Roberts are letting fans do, with the release of their second EP Heartstrings.
''It's really exciting,'' Hodges says. ''It's fun making music together and being able to share and enjoy it.''
Having just come off the road after a support tour with Sydney's Caitlin Park, the pair are visiting Canberra to promote their EP. Written, produced and engineered by the ladies themselves, they went into the studio and wrote each song as they went along.
Taking a slightly unconventional approach, they enjoy discovering the instrumental quality of their vocal, so rather than laying down the drum and bass parts up front, for the Heartstrings EP, Hodges and Roberts recorded their vocal parts first. Playing the majority of the instruments on the recording themselves, they later invited friends to play the drums and bass.
''We got to create the tracks before there was other input,'' Hodges says, acknowledging that allowing the other musicians to get an idea of their vision in its totality before they stepped in gave the girls ''creative control''.
The first single to come off the EP is the eponymous, highly infectious Heartstrings. It's the kind of track that stands out from the crowd and makes you want to know more about the ladies behind it.
''We started with a song on guitar and we decided to strip it back when we went into the studio and created all the harmonies for the chorus. And we wanted that to be almost like a piano, but in a different sense. And it just built from there.
''It's about letting go and just enjoying where you're at, and enjoying where life takes you, because otherwise you mess it all up,'' Hodges says.
The pair have followed up from Heartstrings with the slinky, soulful stylings of Lover. A song about finding your heart's ''keeper'', it swings the mood up a few notches into flirtatious alt pop territory.
It's space the Phoncurves are very happy to play in.
THE PHONCURVES
With: Julia and The Deep Sea Sirens (solo)
Where: The Front
When: Saturday May 31
Tickets: $11.25 from oztix.com.au
