Mt. Desolation are an English band formed by Tim Rice-Oxley and Jesse Quin, members of the rock band Keane, as a side-project. Their self-titled debut album was released on 18 October 2010.

Mt. Desolation
OriginEngland
GenresAlternative country, alternative rock, country rock
Years active2010–present
MembersTim Rice-Oxley
Jesse Quin
Websitehttps://www.mtdesolation.co.uk/

The live band consists primarily of Tim Rice-Oxley, Jesse Quin, Jessica Staveley-Taylor, Fimbo, John-William Scott and Phil Renna.

History edit

The project started during Keane's Perfect Symmetry World Tour in 2009 during a conversation in a bar in Dublin, Ireland. Rice-Oxley and Quin, Keane pianist and bassist, respectively, had the idea of making a country album, but the duo said they did not think they were going to release it. The album was recorded and released in 2010.

Members of Noah and the Whale, the Killers, the Long Winters, the Staves and Mumford & Sons were involved in the album's recording. After their debut show at The Lexington in London in July, the live band toured the UK in September 2010 and the USA & Canada supporting Mumford & Sons in October 2010. The Staves supported the band's UK tour dates.

The band launched a Tumblr blog on 6 November 2014, prompting speculation that the band were recording a new album during Keane's hiatus. This was later confirmed by band member Jesse Quin on his Twitter feed.[1]

In February 2016, Mt. Desolation announced on Twitter that they were working on their second album. Over the next two years the band posted several hinting pictures and videos on Instagram and Facebook, concerning their next album.[2] In October 2017, the band played a gig in Battle, East Sussex, during which new songs were performed. On 26 March 2018, the band announced their new album's title and release date. When the Night Calls was released on 25 May 2018. It was followed by a short tour of the UK in June 2018.[3]

Almost five years later, in February 2023, Mt. Desolation released the single "Sunrise" and announced their third album, Through Crooked Aim, scheduled for release on 21 April 2023.[4][5]

Members edit

  • Tim Rice-Oxley – composition, vocals, piano, keyboards, bass (2010–present)
  • Jesse Quin – composition, vocals, guitar (2010–present)
Additional personnel
  • Fimbo – drums (2010–present)
  • Jessica Staveley-Taylor – backing vocals, acoustic guitar, piano (2010–present)
  • John-William Scott – bass, guitar (2010–present)
  • Phil Renna – fiddle, keyboards (2010–present)
  • Ronnie Vannucci – guitar (acoustic), percussion (2010–present)

Discography edit

Studio albums edit

Title Details Peak chart
positions
UK
[6]
US
Heat

[7]
Mt. Desolation 140 10
When the Night Calls
  • Release date: 25 May 2018
  • Label: Island
Through Crooked Aim
  • Release date: 21 April 2023
  • Label: No Roads Records

Singles edit

Single Year Album
"Departure / State of Our Affairs" 2010 Mt. Desolation
"Bitter Pill"
"On Your Way" 2018 When the Night Calls
"Sunrise" 2023 Through Crooked Aim

[8]

Songs in other media edit

Year Title Type Song
2010 Gossip Girl TV series episode: "The Townie" "State of Our Affairs"
2011 Grey's Anatomy TV series episode: "Disarm" "State of Our Affairs"

References edit

  1. ^ Jesse Quin [@jessequinmusic] (8 November 2014). "So excited to have started recording new @MtDesolation songs!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ "Mt. Desolation (@mt.desolation) • Instagram photos and videos". Instagram.com. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Mt. Desolation tour". facebook.com. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  4. ^ @MtDesolation (17 February 2023). "We're delighted that Sunrise is out now!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. ^ @MtDesolation (24 February 2023). "We're very happy to announce our new album Through Crooked Aim, out April 21st! Very limited edition signed Vinyl and CDs are available to preorder now" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ^ "Chart Log UK: M - My Vitriol". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  7. ^ "Mt. Desolation Album & Song Chart History - Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  8. ^ "Music from Gossip Girl S4E11". Tunefind.com. Retrieved 16 May 2020.