Mt. Desolation is the country-inspired side project of Keane’s Tim Rice-Oxley and Jesse Quin, who hatched plans for their new group during a break in Keane’s touring schedule. After working on demos for several months, the two entered a recording studio in early 2010, with several guest musicians coming along for the ride. Among those who contributed to the sessions were Ronnie Vannucci, Jr. of the Killers, Tom Hobden of Noah and the Whale, and Country Winston of Mumford & Sons. The group hit the road several months later, playing a small handful of shows in England and North America after Keane’s summer tour ended, and their self-titled debut was released by Island Records before the fall was up. ~ Andrew Leahey