Prior to joining Foster the People in 2009, Pontius was part of the now-defunct indie pop band Malbec.

[3][2] After graduating high school, Pontius moved to Los Angeles to study cinematography.

After moving to Los Angeles, Pontius joined the indie pop band Malbec which was fronted by Pablo Signori and included music producer Speakerbomb.

[7] Around the fall of 2009, Mark Foster recorded the song "Pumped Up Kicks" at his workplace and it was released as an early single for the band.

[8] In May 2010, the band was signed to Columbia Records imprint Startime International for a multi-album deal due to the song's increasing success.