They gained widespread recognition for their songs "Tingin" (Look), featuring Janine Teñoso, and "Estranghero" (Stranger), from their debut extended play (EP), Patutunguhan (2023).

Over time, the name gained meaning, as "Cup of Joe", a slang term for coffee, came to reflect the band's relaxed music style.

[7] The term "Joe" symbolizes an ordinary person, reflecting the band's identity as students who are eager to share their music.

[8] The band was formed in November 2018 by a group of friends from Saint Louis University Laboratory High School in Baguio, with rhythm guitarist Clint Joules "CJ" Fernandez, lead singers Edgar Gian Bernardino and Raphael Ridao, and lead guitarist Antonio Gabriel "Gab" Fernandez coming from Pangasinan, bassist Raphael "Sevi" Severino from Isabela, and keyboardist Vixen "Xen" Gareza from Abra.

Originally, they played at community events, school music festivals, and private parties around Baguio, covering popular songs.

[9] Eventually, they started creating their own music, which led to the release of they success song "Nag-iisang Muli" (Alone Again), which earned them the Best Regional Song trophy at the 2019 MOR Awards and a nomination for Best Recording by a New Group at Awit Awards, with its success on social media platforms like Facebook and Spotify further boosting the band's recognition.

[14] The track contrasts with their neo-folk song "Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Pipiliin Ko" (I Will Still Choose You), which became their biggest single to date.

[16][6] Cup of Joe and Janine Teñoso’s performance of "Tingin" on the Wish 107.5 Bus was uploaded on July 17 to YouTube, where it garnered over one million views.

The event was presented by Viva Live Inc.[18] On March 22, Cup of Joe announced their participation at the grand debut album concert of their fellow OPM rock band, Lola Amour, which took place on April 13.

[7] Described as anthemic, their sound is characterized by swelling synths, mesmerizing harmonies, heart-thumping drums, and hooks that transform raw emotions into unforgettable melodies.

The band crafts vivid imagery within their lyrics, using sceneries as metaphors to convey the messages they want their audience to grasp, and has mastered the art of transforming poetry into music that resonates with universal experiences as they explore themes of heartbreak, love, or hope, continually reinventing familiar narratives in fresh and compelling ways.

[29] Gian Bernardino cites Eraserheads, Rivermaya, and Apo Hiking Society as key influences from the OPM (Original Pinoy Music) scene.

[7] Xen Gareza noted that Baguio's music scene has "always been rich", attributing its recent exposure to social media and word of mouth, and cited bands like Dilaw and SunKissed Lola as examples.