"Chamber pop quintet Matt Pond PA was led by titular singer/songwriter Pond, who formed the group upon relocating from New England to Philadelphia; also featuring guitarist/bassist Josh Kramer, cellist Jim Hostetter, violinist Rosie McNamara-Jones and drummer Sean Byrne, they debuted in 1998 with Deer Apartments, that same year winning top honors in the Unheard? unsigned bands competition sponsored by online retailer CDnow. Matt Pond PA's sophomore effort, the lovely Measure, followed in 2000. The I Thought You Were Sleeping EP appeared in spring 2001 and dates with Very Secretary, Ted Leo, and Aspera followed that summer. Within the next year, the band shifted around its roster to included Mike Kennedy (drums), Matt Raisch (bass), Jim Kehoe (guitar) and The Rachel's Eve Miller (cello) alongside Pond and Hostetter. A third album, The Green Fury was released in spring 2002 while Pond also took on duties writing music for the Oxygen Network. The Nature of Maps followed several months later." - Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

Matt Pond PA is an indie band formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1998 by singer/songwriter Matt Pond, along with guitarist/bassist Josh Kramer, violinist Rosie McNamara-Jones, cellist Jim Hostetter, and drummer Sean Byrne (previously of Lenola and The Twin Atlas). Matt Pond is the only remaining original member because the band had a break when Pond moved to New York City. Their debut Deer Apartments gained them recognition in CDNow's Unheard? competition for unsigned artists that same year.

Matt Pond PA has performed with Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Nickel Creek, Youth Group, Mae, Keane, Guster, Dios Malos, and Liz Phair. The band's music has been included in the soundtrack for the FOX television program The OC, specifically cover versions of Oasis' "Champagne Supernova" and Neutral Milk Hotel's "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea." The single, "Athabasca" was introduced to college radio on Shut Eye's Buzzlighter #3: The Dance of the Metropolitan Muse.