Antony and the Johnsons, led by lead vocalist Antony Hegarty, and also including Julia Kent (cello), drummer Parker Kindred, bassist Jeff Langston, Doug Wieselman (horns), Maxim Moston (violin) and Rob Moose (guitar, violin) received their big break when British experimental musician David Tibet of Current 93 heard one of their demos and offered to release their music through his Durtro label. Debut album, ”Antony and the Johnsons” was subsequently released in 2000, but only made number 59 in Sweden. In January 2001, they released a short follow-up EP, “I Fell in Love with a Dead Boy”, which, in addition to the title track, included a cover of "Mysteries of Love", a David Lynch/Angelo Badalamenti song and "Soft Black Stars", a cover of a Current 93 song. Producer Hal Willner heard the EP and played it to Lou Reed, who immediately recruited the band for his project “The Raven”. They then signed to US-based record label Secretly Canadian, releasing another EP, “The Lake”, with Lou Reed guest-performing on one of the tracks. Secretly Canadian also re-released their self titled debut album in the US in 2004.

Second studio album, 2005's “I am a Bird Now” featured guest appearances by Lou Reed, Rufus Wainwright, Boy George and Devendra Banhart, and was mixed by Doug Henderson. It charted at number 5 in the UK Album chart, and made number 22 in Sweden and number 69 in Australia. It also won Antony and the Johnsons the 2005 Mercury Music Prize for the best UK album (causing controversy as rival nominees and favourites the Kaiser Chiefs suggested Antony was not a deserving winner as despite the fact he was born in the UK he spent much of his time in the US, although they later apologized).

”Antony and the Johnsons” collaborated with experimental film-maker Charles Atlas and presented TURNING in November 2006 in Rome, London, Paris, Madrid, and Braga, where 13 of New York City's most enigmatic women were presented in intimate live video portraits during the course of the concert. The group followed this by releasing another EP, “Another World”, in October 2008, quickly followed by third studio album, “The Crying Light”, in January 2009, mixed by Bryce Goggin and including arrangements by Nico Muhly. “The Crying Light” charted at number 18 in the UK, number 33 in Australia, number 2 in Sweden, and number 65 in the US.