Avenue Victor Hugo came to be as a concept in Phred's head sometime in late 2010. Originally conceived as a solo recording project/blog, Phred decided that, for him at least, music was a soup that needed more than one chef. By mid-2011, Kiley and Craig had completed the trio that would be AVH, and they started work, initially completing some songs Phred had ready before commencing writing as a unit.

On July 31st, 2011, the denizens of Portland, Oregon (at least twenty of 'em, anyway) were treated to the live debut of Avenue Victor Hugo at Centaurpalooza, amidst the sumptuous surroundings of NE Sandy Blvd.