The Silent League
| The Silent League | |
|---|---|
 The Silent League at The Barfly Club, Camden, London, UK. February 2005. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Genres | Post rock, Chamber pop, Indie |
| Labels | File-13, Something in Construction, Rallye/Klee |
| Associated acts | Mercury Rev, Interpol, Hopewell, Stars Like Fleas, Beirut, Arcade Fire |
| Website | http://www.silentleague.com |
| Members | Justin Russo, Shannon Fields, Kevin Thaxton, Jesse Blum and Danny Lockwood. |
| Past members | Ryan Smith, Phil Williams, Reno Bo, Jason Russo, Sam Fogerino, Sean Mackowiak, Gene Park, Kelly Pratt, Jon Natchez, Evan Pazner, James Duncan. |
The Silent League is an American post-rock, chamber pop band from Brooklyn, New York, founded by Justin Russo, formerly of Mercury Rev. Their 2004 debut, The Orchestra, Sadly, Has Refused, (hailed by The Guardian, The Times Independent, NME (8/10), Q (4/5), Mojo (4/5), Uncut (4/5), Rolling Stone, Spin, The New York Times, Village Voice, Blender, Salon.com, etc.) featuring Sam from Interpol, Grasshopper from the Rev and a cast of dozens, was released in the US on Chicago’s File-13 label and in the UK in late 2005 on Something In Construction.
The debut's UK release (ushered in with universally high praise, touted in The Times as “a great hope of 2006"), led to quick success and sales, abetted by a number of high-profile shows with the likes of Interpol, Bloc Party, Echo & The Bunnymen, Keane, Brendan Benson, Rufus Wainwright, Sufjan Stevens. The newly boosted profile of such an orchestral band led to members being “borrowed” to collaborate on records by (and play on tours with) Beirut, Arcade Fire, Bishop Allen, Harlem Shakes, Stars Like Fleas, Antony & the Johnsons, Calexico.
Their follow-up album entitled Of Stars And Other Somebodies was released in 2007. Tracks include Victim of Aeroplane, Kings & Queens and Let It Roll. The band (now touring as a 6-piece—a lither, synthier, explosive-er live band) embarked on their 4th UK tour, a 15+ date promo trip, performing across the UK and at festivals including Godiva (mainstage with Super Furry Animals, The Cribs, The Enemy ), Latitude Festival (with Arcade Fire, Jarvis Cocker, The National, and Final Fantasy), the DrownedInSound and Truck Festivals, as well as doing BBC radio sessions and lots of press. Late 2007 saw Japanese release on Rallye/Klee label (Au Revoir Simone, Yacht, Klaxons, Matt & Kim)
The band's third album But You've Always Been the Caretaker was released January 2010 on Something In Construction records.
In May 2011, The Silent League released a new remix album, We Go Forward, a collection of classic Silent League tracks remixed by some of their favourite indie and electronic artists. The compilation includes remixes by Neon Indian, Memory Tapes, ARMS, and also includes a live fan favourite – a cover of Broken Social Scene’s “Texico Bitches”.
Discography
Albums
- The Orchestra, Sadly, Has Refused (File-13, Something in Construction, 2004)
- Of Stars and Other Somebodies (Something in Construction, Rallye/Klee, 2007)
- But You’ve Always Been The Caretaker (Something in Construction, 2010)
- We Go Forward (Something in Construction, 2011)
Compilations and soundtracks
- Soak Your Shoes in Red Wine (Grand Theft Autumn, 2003)
EPs and singles
- "The Catbird Seat" / "How?" (Desolation Records, 2004 Single)
- "The Catbird Seat" / "69CORP Dubmix "(Something in Construction, 2005 Single)
- "Goliath" (Something in Construction, 2005 Single)
- "Live at the Seaside Lounge, Volume One" (Tin Drum Records, 2006 EP)