Smoosh started in 2000 when the family was at a Seattle music store The Trading Musician, standing in line to restring a violin.

By the time Smoosh released their second LP Free to Stay, on June 6, 2006, they were signed to Seattle-based indie label Barsuk Records.

Their set included a cover of "This Modern Love" by Bloc Party, with whom they would later tour that same year in September.

[2][3] As Smoosh, critics compared the band's sound to that of Tori Amos and PJ Harvey and were impressed with the young writers and performers.

[8][9][10] Smoosh opened for many leading Pacific Northwest bands including Pearl Jam, Death Cab for Cutie, Sleater-Kinney, and the Presidents of the United States of America,[6][4] as well as for other acts such as Mates of State, Jimmy Eat World, Cat Power[4] (who also covered their song "Rad"),[6] Nada Surf, Sufjan Stevens and The Go!

[11] Asy also lends her voice to the soundtrack of the musical film God Help the Girl created by Stuart Murdoch of Belle & Sebastian, where she sings on the songs "I Just Want Your Jeans" and "A Down and Dusky Blonde".

[3] Their current name is derived from a historical scientific name for a species of amoeba, which they liken to their music as it is "simple but always changing".

", was featured in the animated sci-fi cartoon Rick and Morty season two episode "Auto Erotic Assimilation.

On August 27, 2017, the duo released the single "Terryfold", which features lead vocals from Rick and Morty co-creator and voice actor Justin Roiland, a longtime fan of the band.

It was released on West's 41st birthday (June 8, 2018) as a single called "Kanye's B-Day Song" featuring Rick and Morty.

[21] In 2019, the band released three singles that are currently unattached to any album: "Armed and Dangerous,"[22] "Theaters,"[23] and "Improv Song.