The alternative folk-rock act Midlake was formed in Denton, Texas in 2000 by a group of musicians who had attended the North Texas School of Music together. As their lineup shifted, they moved from a jazz background toward indie rock, as evinced on their debut EP Milkmaid Grand Army. After being taken under the wing of Simon Raymonde's Bella Union, it was with their second full-length release -- 2006's slick but mournful The Trials of Van Occupanther -- that they found their audience. 2010's British folk-rock-inspired The Courage of Others was even more successful -- charting high in six European countries -- but sessions for its follow-up led to the departure of their frontman, Tim Smith. By the time of 2013's Antiphon, guitarist Eric Pulido had stepped into the lead vocal role, and remained there beyond the lengthy hiatus that eventually ended with 2022's For the Sake of Bethel Woods.