Midlake began life in 1999 in Texas, formed by five Jazz students; Tim Smith, McKenzie Smith, Paul Alexander, Eric Nichelson and Evan Jacobs. The original line-up played songs reflecting their Jazz education however, over time, the band developed a more indie-rock sound and have since gone on to explore several different musical avenues resulting in the unique music they play now.

After some reshuffling the band secured their line-up as Tim Smith, McKenzie Smith, Paul Alexander, Eric Nichelson, Eric Pulido, the band released their first EP ‘Milkmaid Grand Army’ in 2001. The EP was noted for the influence of Radiohead that was apparent in the distorted guitars and Smith’s vulnerable and fragile vocals. The EP, although initially only released in a single batch of 1000 was well received and created much anticipation for their first full length album.

Their debut album ‘Banman and Slivercork’ arrived in 2004 and saw the band move away somewhat from their Radiohead influences moving towards a more psychedelic sound closer to The Flaming Lips but with their own unique brand of melodic guitars and soothing vocals. After touring this album the band released their second full length album ‘The Trials of Van Occupanther’. This album, seen as the bands finest work to date, presents the band at their most mature and developed. The album’s tracks lyrically evoke images of rural bliss and the tracks, in true country style, recount tales of adventure, mystery and child like astonishment infused with deep melancholy. PopMatters claimed ‘The Trials of Van Occupanther is such a nuanced, finely layered work that Midlake has certainly crafted one of the best releases of 2006’.

Since their beginning the band have been signed to the label Bella Union, a label set up by the Cocteau Twins in 1997 in order for the band to achieve greater independence. The band currently share their label with similar folk influenced artists Fleet Foxes and the dream pop inspired Delvics. The band’s highly anticipated third album ‘The Courage of Others’ is set to be released early 2010 and they are currently touring their blissful, mellifluous sound across the country debuting tracks off their upcoming album.