Written by: Katherine Carlson

Indianapolis // Bloomington

For Fans Of: Tokyo Police Club, Dr. Dog, Bear Hands, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Built to Spill

Similar MFT Archive Artists: The Bonesetters, jasha., Slothpop, The Calument Reel, Margot & the Nuclear So & So’s

Years Active: 2009-2013 Highlight Tracks: Mountain Tiger, King Kong, Esplande, Hope, or How To Get Your Throne Back

In January 2012, as a junior at Butler University, I joined the Hotfox team as a co-manager alongside the band’s longtime friend and collaborator, Chris Kauffman. It was the dawning of Instagram, when unknown bands could build an audience online and break through the blogosphere to mainstream attention.

I first discovered You, Me, and the Monster during the summer of 2011, while interning in New York as an aspiring artist manager. A friend back in Indy had seen them open for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. and told me about these “prodigies” taking the local scene by storm. The record, produced by Tyler Watkins of Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s, quickly became my daily listen. I streamed it constantly on Musical Family Tree’s archive and felt the buzz hundreds of miles away.

Returning to Indiana that fall, I began interning with MOKB Presents and its house label, Roaring Colonel Records. When I finally caught Hotfox live, the hype was real! I spent fall 2011 courting the band by booking them to open for WALK THE MOON and getting them entered into a SXSW competition. Over pizza at Mother Bear's in Bloomington, their manager, Chris, and I mapped out our partnership, and by early 2012, we were a team.

Now, more than a decade later, I had the chance to reconnect with the band. I reached out to gather their reflections on that chapter, and in many cases, it was our first conversation in years. I was delighted to find that everyone was just as kind, funny, and thoughtful as I remembered. Throughout the piece, you’ll find quotes pulled from those texts, emails, and DMs that capture their memories of the ride. Please enjoy this time capsule on one of MFT’s very own: Hotfox. - Katherine Carlson (MFT board member)

"We were once a band."

Etched into a dormant Facebook page like an epitaph, those words are all that remain of a band frozen in digital time.

Before becoming internet ghosts, Hotfox were indie darlings, the buzziest band in town. For a shinning moment, they united central Indiana music fans across scenes and campuses. Their youth, talent, and wide-eyed ambition sparked a kind of collective tenderness. People didn't just root for Hotfox; they wanted to see them soar.

That groundswell of early local support caught the attention of one of the Midwest’s most influential indie tastemakers, My Old Kentucky Blog (MOKB). Based in Indianapolis, MOKB had national reach and helped push Hotfox into the broader indie spotlight. Founder Craig Dodge Lile (HiFi) spun standout tracks like "Mountain Tiger," "King Kong," and "Tombstone Teeth" on his Sirius XM show, and released their debut album, You, Me, and the Monster, on his boutique label, Roaring Colonel Records.

“I’ve always been grateful to have played a part in the release of Hotfox’s 2011 debut…The guys were always a real joy to work with, and their energy and the music they created injected such an excitement within our Indianapolis music community at that time.” - Craig Dodge Lile (MOKB, Roaring Colonel)
This was right before Spotify changed everything. The album existed only in a handful of places: live shows, Bandcamp, Roaring Colonel's website (powered by the CD stash I kept in my sorority house closet), and the Musical Family Tree Archive. Search any major streaming platform today, and you won’t find a trace. Their story lives on through these early digital sanctuaries, with MFT proudly preserving this bright chapter of Indiana music history.
Musical Family Tree’s founder, Jeb Banner, remembered Hotfox fondly:
“I remember really liking their music and thinking Oliver was very talented. Proud that MFT played a part in their story and their success.”
Oliver Hopkins, Hotfox’s lead singer and guitarist, carried the same feeling:
“I have such a deep, deep respect for MFT in my heart. My local Spotify before Spotify! Jeb believed in me when I was a kid and seriously inspired me, and I carry it with me every day.”
🦊 Hotfox, a History

2009 – Release Honey, I Have News under their original name and lineup, Sanuk
April 2010 – Win Record Store Day High School Battle of the Bands
Summer 2010 – Change name to Hotfox and start recording You, Me, and the Monster
Fall 2010 – Moved to Bloomington and began school at IU with new members Marcus and Colin joining the lineup
December 2010 – Voted Bloomington’s Best Local Band by the Indiana Daily Student
July 2011 – Release You, Me, and the Monster on Roaring Colonel Records; Earth House (RIP) album release show with support from Slothpop and The Bonesetters
March 2012 – Enter Jansport Battle of the Bands competition and win trip to SXSW
Summer 2012 – Play the inaugural Bunbury Music Festival in Cincinnati, OH
“I still think about when we played the first Bunbury Festival in Cincinnati and got to watch Guided By Voices from the side of the stage with the Margot boys.” - Duncan Kissinger (guitar)
Mid–Late 2012 – Begin recording second album (unreleased)
September 2013 – Play final shows and quietly enter a hiatus

🦊 Bloomington Bound

NUVO Cover, July 2010, Photo by Stephen Simonetto. From Left: Chris O'Connor (bass), Sophie Hopkins (vocals), Duncan Kissinger (guitar), Oliver Hopkins (vocals, guitar), Michael Preuschl (drums).

The original lineup (above) came together in Indianapolis while still in high school, cutting their teeth playing local shows, self-releasing an album, and winning the Record Store Day High School Battle of the Bands (a hint of bigger things to come). That RSD victory earned them studio time and sparked a lasting collaboration with producer and local hero, Tyler Watkins. By summer 2010, they renamed the band Hotfox, booked sessions at Watkins’ Eastside studio (Queensize Twin Air), and started recording what would become their defining debut.

“One day Oliver called and said, “Hey, things are starting to go pretty well, Tyler said to grab one of our smart friends to help us manage it – you in?” I was a sh*tty musician myself at the time, but It was evident early in high school that these were some of the most talented musicians in my little corner of the Indiana music scene.” - Chris Kuaffman (manager)
Meanwhile, life was shifting behind the scenes. What started as an after-school jam in an Irvington basement followed them to Bloomington, where four founding members—Chris, Duncan, Michael, and Oliver—began their first year at Indiana University. They arrived with serious momentum, having just landed the cover of NUVO before even setting foot on campus.
“We want to hit Bloomington and blow people away,” Oliver told NUVO in their 2010 feature story.
Four months later, they made good on that promise. Hotfox was voted Bloomington’s Best Local Band by the Indiana Daily Student, and over the next two years, opened for national acts like Guided By Voices, Bear Hands, and GROUPLOVE. Their shows grew so explosive that Bloomington venue The Bishop declared their crowds "too rowdy" for the space and banished the band. With accolades, press coverage, high-profile opening slots, and even a venue ban, Hotfox had already checked off many classic rock credentials and hadn’t even dropped their debut album.
That moment finally came in late July 2011, with an album release show for You, Me, and the Monster at Earth House Collective, the old church on East and New York that once hosted shows in the sanctuary and served vegan food in a café downstairs. The release coincided with the band signing to Roaring Colonel Records, marking a milestone in their young career. Two scene faves from that era, Slothpop and The Bonesetters, provided direct support, helping endorse Hotfox to the broader music community.

Watch a video from that night of their song “AK47” below.

“We Are Not Machines”

Hotfox had the chops, the songs, the sound, and the look, but maybe most compelling, they had heart. These weren’t just bandmates; they were true friends. That bond powered everything: the music, the shows, their shared creative language. It built a deep connection that fueled their dedication to the craft while letting them have the time of their lives. That chemistry was a major part of the magic.

“For me that band was a way to physically live the bond and fellowship I felt with my friends. The music was/is a byproduct of that bond, end of the day.” - Oliver Hopkins

This wasn’t some casual college garage band. These were disciplined musicians with formal training who meticulously studied their influences and carved out a voice that was their own. They were students with vision, personality, and just enough fearlessness to believe they could chase a different kind of life and make something great.

🦊 Meet The Foxes

At the core of Hotfox stood Duncan Kissinger, Michael Preuschl, and Oliver Hopkins, the original three members, and the band’s creative compass. Though Hotfox thrived as a collaborative unit where everyone contributed, Oliver emerged as the band's natural frontman and principal songwriter. His early compositions helped establish their sonic identity, while his technical proficiency, vocal range, and emotional vulnerability drew listeners in. On stage, his commanding presence gave the band its center and edge. Yet he consistently shared the spotlight with his bandmates, a testament to the camaraderie that defined the group.

Duncan, on guitar, brought a dynamic range, shifting from ferocious riffs to gentle strums. He was a grounding force for the band in both recordings and onstage, and wasn’t afraid to get weird when the moment called for it. He and Oliver played off each other effortlessly, blending their guitars to create a vibrant sound that seriously brought the ruckus.

Michael channeled his hardcore roots as the band's rhythmic engine. His drumming combined precision with a playfully exaggerated style that sounded massive in the studio and fueled the band's wild energy on stage. His powerful hits kept everyone locked in while bringing infectious joy to every beat, driving their sound with pure, raging fun.

Marcus brought a comforting presence on bass (sometimes upright, sometimes electric), meeting the circus with stoic finesse. A music student alongside Oliver at IU, he added quiet confidence, musicianship, and rich vocals that helped round out the band’s sound. His bass lines, tight and unrestrained, kept everything moving with a cool, steady pace.

Colin, a true cannonball on auxiliary percussion and vocals, bounced around the stage, weaving in and out of his bandmates, playing off their performances, and filling the gaps with lively flourishes, lush harmonies, and a theatrical flair. His antics always kicked it up a notch.

Together, they balanced flawless execution with total spontaneity, delivering performances that felt musically tight and gloriously unhinged. Their mix of musical humor, intricate theory, and fearless showmanship gave Hotfox its distinct spirit.

Duncan Kissinger

Oliver Hopkins, Marcus Tedesco

Michael Preuschl

Photos by Mallory Talty

🦊 You, Me, and the Monster (2011)

You, Me, and the Monster was an ambitious debut. A genre-hopping, fuzz-laced record with orchestral flourishes and literary references, it carried the charge of a band that knew exactly what it wanted to express, even if they were still figuring out how to say it. The songs swung from delicate Spanish guitar licks to full-blown prog freak-outs, with punk-attack drums and shimmering indie-pop choruses. Laced with auxiliary percussion, perfectly timed gang chants, and sudden melodic pivots, the record was sweet, strange, loud, and often exhilarating.

“There’s always something alchemical about seeing good people in your own community create something good. They were pushing out songs with a maturity of lyricism and composition that wasn’t often seen in a group of 17/18 year-olds.” - Chris Kauffman

One of the things I’ve always loved about the record, and what Watkins so brilliantly captured, are the bits of intro/outro banter that the band decided to leave in the final mixes (see: “Tombstone Teeth” and “The Dollar Theatre”). It felt like you were in the room with them, goofing and grooving in real time. Creative choices like that are what made Hotfox so magnetic. One listen, and you feel transported to the intimate house shows that made them.

“I’ve still got like fifty copies of You, Me, and the Monster on CD, and every once in a while I’ll listen to the last song…Hope [Or How To Get Your Throne Back]…that one rips.” - Duncan Kissinger

This communal spirit extended to the recording process, with the band inviting several friends (and family) to contribute to the album. Jon Rogers (Everything, Now!), Casey Tennis (Pravada), and Ryan Reidy (Thunders), all bands found in the MFT Archive, delivered essential performances that rounded out the sound and made it bigger. One of my favorite contributions comes from Oliver’s sister, Sophie Hopkins, whose haunting, melodic backup vocals contrast with Oliver’s raw delivery. Her performance expands the album’s dynamic range and reinforces the collaborative direction that had defined Hotfox from the beginning.

“Mannn I fell in love with local music cuz of MFT. It was just right there at your fingertips…Huge for me and the guys.” - Oliver Hopkins

***See last month’s blog post highlighting the birth of the Muncie music scene. An era that shaped Hotfox’s key influences and collaborators like producer Tyler Watkins and bands Everything Now!

A Pleasure To Work With

What made Hotfox so successful was simple: they were fun to be around. Their easygoing attitude, sharp wit, and inclusive spirit won over everyone they met. Onstage, they unleashed a controlled chaos that pulled audiences in. They were wild and uninhibited one moment, quiet and reflective the next. Their set banter bounced between endearingly awkward and brazenly unfiltered, striking a balance between self-awareness and complete abandon. A magnetic mix that made you want to hug them and high-five them after every show.

Offstage, they quickly earned a reputation for their professionalism and respectful nature, becoming everyone’s beloved little brothers of the scene. Upperclassman bands welcomed them into the fold, sharing stages and actively promoting their music. They weren't just crowd favorites, they were musicians' musicians.

*Above: Chris Kauffman and Oliver Hopkins gift* *Josh Baker (HiFi)* *MOKB and Roaring* *Colonel corn hole boards.*

“They were (still are) genuine too – built great relationships with folks who believed in them and guided them – Tyler Watkins from Margot and the Nuclear So&So’s, Rick Ziegler from IndyCD, Annie/Andy Skinner, Dodge & Josh at MOKB, so many others who shared wisdom and helped them find a real voice and ways to showcase it. They had some really amazing folks keeping watch along the way.” - Chris Kauffman

And it wasn’t just their music or manners that won people over; their DIY approach to things like merch only added to their charm. Hand-painted with the band name or absurd phrases, their thrifted tees and sweatshirts became one-of-a-kind treasures. I still have mine: a short-sleeved sweatshirt that reads, "I wasn't drinking, officer, I was listening 2 Hotfox." Part aesthetic, part resourcefulness, part idgaf, all quintessentially Hotfox.

*Above: Me (Katherine) at Butler University rocking a late-night study outfit and my “custom” Hotfox merch about to hit Taco Bell.*

Chris reflects on one of his favorite memories:

“…when the guys opened for WALK THE MOON at Butler …electric show all around, then celebrating with a few (a lot) of beers at a fraternity house there where I remember both bands belting out the national anthem to a not-insignificant audience together at some point well past midnight. Why? I have no idea. But it was awesome.”

🦊 “Swag By Swagwest”

Chris and I’s first move as co-managers was entering Hotfox in the 4th Annual Battle of the Bands hosted by Jansport (yes, the backpacks) and Sonicbids (the EPK king). The grand prize was an all-expenses-paid trip to Austin to play an official slot at a SXSW party. It was peak 2010s: blogs, brands, and bands colliding when underground discovery sill felt possible.

After being selected as one of 50 finalists, we launched a social media campaign to rally fan votes and break into the top ten. We worked every angle we could on our respective campuses (Butler/IU), tapping into university networks, from student press and Greek life to any group with a listserv. Support from the band’s local champions amplified our efforts: MOKB, MFT, Indy CD & Vinyl, Dr. Paul Kolman (the Rock’n’Roll Doc), SmallBox, and Rob Peoni (Thoughts on Tracks).

In the final 48 hours of voting, Hotfox surged from #4 to #2, challenging for the lead. The final decision rested with a panel of judges; any of the Top 10 bands could win. Then came the call from Jansport: Hotfox had WON. Out of hundreds of nationwide applicants, they advanced from 50 semifinalists to the fan-voted Top 10 before being handpicked by event sponsors as the ultimate winner. Sealing the deal, Chris negotiated a sponsored van (hustler) from Jansport as part of their prize package, giving Hotfox the wheels they needed to get to Austin.

“We’re greatly appreciative of the enormous amount of love and support from all of our friends and allies,” Oliver said at the time. “We plan to make good on their support by representing Indy rock music in a loud way in Austin.”

Watch Hotfox’s winning performance of “Mountain Tiger” at the official Sonicbids/Jansport SXSW Showcase below.

To document the experience, NUVO’s Katherine Coplen gave guitarist Duncan Kissinger an opportunity to pen a guest blog column chronicling the band’s SXSW adventure:

Excerpt from Katherine Coplen’s “Heartbeat: Guest blogging SXSW” (NUVO)

Cheekily dubbed “Swag by Swagwest,” Duncan’s daily dispatches, published over seven days, offered a vulnerable, often hilarious window into the winning trip, as Hotfox drove themselves around Texas. His writing balanced existential wonder with self-deprecating humor, capturing the strange excitement of being young artists, not even twenty-one years old, navigating the industry's biggest gathering.

“Hi, I'm Duncan. I play guitar in Hotfox. I'm going to South by Southwest and I'm going to tell you all about my experiences in Austin and all of my anxieties about life.” - Day One (NUVO)

Five days in and…

”I broke my guitar strap within ten seconds of starting the first song, so I had to adapt to that pretty quickly. The crowd was generally receptive to what we were throwing at them. We were just glad to play music. After an 18-hour drive and just feeling so distant from everything we knew, we were comforted by the reminder of what it is that we do.” - Hotfox at SXSW, Day Four/Five (NUVO)

Looking back now, Duncan reflects on the overwhelming complexity of the experience:

“I shouldn’t have tried to go to SXSW for the first time at 20 years old and thought I could synthesize any of it into anything.”

Though Hotfox never returned to SXSW, they still managed something significant. Their journey to Austin was a community-backed feat, powered by grassroots support, college-town scrap, and believers across their home state who united around them. The experience transcended simply securing a showcase slot. It demonstrated what happens when a music scene invests in its talent, creating meaningful opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach.

Above: Jam In The Van Session, SXSW From Left: Marcus Tedesco (bass), Oliver Hopkins (lead vocals, guitar), Michael Preuschl (drums), Colin Van Wye (percussion, vocals), Duncan Kissinger (guitar)

“It was really a masterclass in earnestness and community building – these guys found love in the scene because they supported it reciprocally and persistently; they found unique opportunities because they were bold enough to ask for them, and because they delivered on their promises, people were more than willing to support the hell out of them. It took a village, but they helped build that village and brought everyone on the journey with them.” - Chris Kauffman

In addition to their official slot at the Sonicbids/Jansport Showcase, Hotfox also filmed a Jam in the Van session inside a Winnebago-turned-studio that was a calling card for rising indie acts of the time. You can watch the session here. [BONUS: Spot Oliver rocking a Bonesetters tee]

Where’d They Go?

After a whirlwind run at SXSW, Hotfox returned home and capitalized on the action by going into the lab to record a new album. Roaring Colonel had quietly folded, so they were making a go of handling everything independently. Reuniting with Watkins in the studio, the band launched a Kickstarter campaign in fall 2012 to fund their sophomore record. Once again, the community rallied.

Despite this outpouring of support, the campaign never reached its goal, and the album was never released. In a cruel twist of fate, the Jansport van was totaled. The same vehicle that carried them to Austin had completed its final ride, marking the end of an era.

“We tried to do a difficult thing transitioning to college in the midst of it all and we had a Kickstarter fall short for a second record and ended up totaling our van, and that just kind of killed our momentum.” — Duncan Kissinger

That crash, both literal and symbolic, was a turning point. Within a year, You, Me, and the Monster was named one of NUVO’s Top 100 Indiana Albums of All Time, and the band had played its final show.

“…I wonder what we’d write nowadays? All those guys are seriously great, great writers. I was/am so lucky to have them in my life. Oddly enough, I still find myself perfecting certain riffs or tunes in my mind even now.” - Oliver Hopkins

I, too, have often wondered what would’ve happened if they had kept going, if that second album had dropped, or if the wave from SXSW had kept building. But revisiting their story now, I realize how much they did accomplish, and how rare that is. For a band that formed before they were even old enough to vote, Hotfox left an unforgettable impact on the local scene. Not every artists gets to be the next big thing, but they were something, and that’s more than most can say.

“Being in Hotfox was like having three brothers. The best time of my life. We were just kids, but looking back, it feels like we did something really special. And I’m very proud of that. I made so many friends and connections that I still cherish.” — Michael Preuschl, drums

Sometimes a project runs its course and drops you at the doorstep of something new. People grow in different directions and the bond must transform to create space for what’s next. That doesn’t make the ride any less meaningful, though. In fact, that kind of honest evolution might be its own kind of success.

Hotfox’s end didn’t result from some dramatic falling out. It was a quiet evolution. New identities formed throughout the project, whether creative or professional, and band members emerged wanting to explore different things. Some graduated. Others moved on. Some followed what they studied. Others followed what they discovered.

“…Ultimately the project came to a conclusion, but I’m happy to still be friends with the members of the band, and I love seeing what they’ve contributed to our community since that time.” - Craig Dodge Lile

Hotfox wasn’t just a band—it was a blueprint. A coming-of-age art project that helped shape who they’ve become today. As cool as they were back then, the guys have grown into even cooler adults. Still friends and in touch, the band’s spirit lives on in the communities that continue to benefit from their work and art.

“Being in Hotfox was a great experience that got me ready for an exhausting decade of music-making.” - Duncan Kissinger

See: Skin Conditions | Peter & the Kings | Make Time Stop (self-titled LP, Winspear, 2017)

Wherever the foxes are now, you can bet they lead with talent, charisma, and cleverness, lighting up every room they enter.

“…the lessons from that time prove invaluable … managing mini-tours, bookings and finances … gave me a leg up at business and adulthood. But most of all, the creative energy I inherited from them sticks with me … one transcendent, gritty, invaluable privilege of an adventure. It was so fun to support these guys — they’re still family in my book.” - Chris Kauffman

As Chris put it, Hotfox laid the groundwork for thinking differently, trusting creative instincts, and choosing collaborations based on connection over calculation. And that might be the most meaningful legacy a band can leave in its wake.

“What a fun time with my best friends. In my mind we still have a band practice to schedule…time and circumstances have merely delayed us.” - Oliver Hopkins

True to their name, Hotfox burned bright, moved fast, and disappeared before anyone could pin them down. Those who were there hold a rare membership, keepers of an explosive moment in our state’s music history. One can dream of a reunion or new music some day. For now, we have the MFT Archive.

🦊 Catch Up With the Band

Oliver Hopkins (lead vocals, guitar) – “Still pondering music,” as Volunteer Department, an octet originally formed in Indy and now based in Nashville. Their latest record, Fountainhead, was recorded in LA and released in September 2024 on Like You Mean It Records. Follow for new music coming soon: [Instagram] [Bandcamp] [Volunteer Department NUVO Feature]

Duncan Kissinger (guitar) – “I’ve been doing stand up comedy for a little over three years and I’m a paid regular at Helium Comedy Club in Indianapolis and have started doing some regional shows. My instagram is @duncankissinger, duncan like the yo-yo. Kissinger like the war criminal. I just use Facebook for marketplace.” [Instagram] [Bandcamp] [Facebook]
Michael Preuschl (drums) – Based in Indy, Michael helped grow Howl + Hide into a nationwide brand during his time as Brand Director. He now lends his skills to 900 North Studio, doing sales in art & architecture. He and his wife are expecting their first child this summer.
Chris Kauffman aka: bossfox (mgmt) - “I sold out. I invest in technology startups in Silicon Valley these days, but I still hit live shows as much as I can. From time to time, I’ll help emerging artists push out their first album to pay forward some of the tremendous kindness the Indy folks showed to us back in the day.”
Sophie Hopkins (vocals): A member of the original lineup and Oliver’s sister, Sophie carved out her own path in the music business. “She flew high after the Hotfox years, and we are all floored but not surprised by her accomplishments!” says Oliver. Now Senior Director of Sync at Warner Chappell, she’s transformed her early band experience into a thriving career at one of the industry’s leading music publishers.
Colin Van Wye (percussion, vocals) – Based in New York, Colin produces and performs electronic house music under his given name and is actively pursuing a DJ career. [Soundcloud] [Instagram]
Marcus Tedesco (bass) – Lives in Texas with his wife and family, working in e-commerce.