Up and Coming: Mt. Desolation

Who are Mt. Desolation?An alt.country supergroup of sorts centred around the core duo of Tim Rice-Oxley and Jesse Quin – better known for their day jobs as Keane's songwriter/keyboard player and touring bassist.

Who's in their gang?

Familiar names who dropped in to play a little bit of something on the forthcoming eponymous debut album include Killers' drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr, "Country" Winston Marshall of Mumford & Sons on banjo and Noah & The Whale's fiddle player Tom Hobden.

Did Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody not just beat them to the punch with his country supergroup?

Like Lightbody's Tired Pony side-project, Mt. Desolation don't adhere strictly to the country style, adding some English folk balladry and even MOR pop elements to the mix.

Why should we care?

Well, they are playing a rather generous selection of Scottish dates in the next couple of weeks, including an appearance at this weekend's Loopallu Festival in Ullapool.

What are other folks saying?

"Beautifully crafted and unfailingly lovely" – The Times

"If you like toasty Southern sounds, there is a decent collection of ditties to be found here" – There Goes The Fear

Where can I hear more?

www.myspace.com/mtdesolation

• Mt. Desolation is released by Island Records on 18 October. The band's Scottish tour starts at King Tut's, Glasgow on Wednesday. For full details, see www.mtdesolation.com/tour