The Silent League

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, 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 band's debut release led to quick success and sales, abetted by a number of high-profile shows with 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.

With producer, and band-member, Shannon Fields at the helm, the band spent time at various upstate farmhouse studios with recording and mixing engineer D. James Goodwin crafting somewhat of a stylistic departure from their previous albums.