Porridge Radio was started by Dana Margolin, who prior to starting the band was attending open mics and songwriting in her bedroom. She formed Porridge Radio as a way to express herself by using inspiration from the sea and her seaside home of Brighton. The band was formed with Maddie Ryall on bass, Georgie Stott on keyboard, and Sam Yardley on drums.

The Guardian listed them among their top 40 new artists of 2018 and described their music as 'slacker indie'.