Phoria's origins can be traced to around 1997 when Trewin Howard (vocals/guitar) and Ed Sanderson (keyboard/violin/vocals) started learning cello and violin together at their primary school in Wiltshire, a talent that would later lead them to perform in orchestras across the county. At the same time, Jeb Hardwick (guitar/visuals) was taking lessons in classical guitar, and when Trewin picked up the guitar and Ed began to play piano, the three of them began their first creative endeavours together. Regular performances and songwriting sessions continued for several years, but the young musicians soon separated for university.