Mt. Desolation’s website explains that the idea to make a country album was hatched one night last September while the bandmates were “sipping Guinness by a fire in a nice old pub” in Dublin.

The next day the thought of “two English men trying to sing like Hank Williams … definitely [sounded like] a recipe for disaster” and the idea was soon forgotten. But a couple months later Rice-Oxley emailed Quin a rough demo of a tune called “Departure” and Quin responded with a demo of “Annie Ford.”

Early this year the guys hit the recording studio with a few friends from various other bands to “record as much of the album live as possible, in true country style.”

The band’s self-titled debut is set for release Oct. 18 via Island Records. The album is being released in the U.S. Oct. 19 via Cherrytree/Interscope.

The 10-track album includes “Departure” featuring The Killers’ Ronnie Vannucci and Mumford & Sons’ Country Winston as well as “Another Night On My Side” featuring a duet between Quin and The Staves’ Jessica Staveley-Taylor. 

In October Mt. Desolation will make its live U.S. debut with several dates opening for Mumford & Sons as well as a round of headline shows.

The Mumford & Sons support gigs include the Hollywood Palladium in California (Oct. 18), Warfield Theatre in San Francisco (Oct. 20), McMenamins Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Ore. (Oct. 22) and Moore Theatre in Seattle (Oct. 24).

Catch the band headlining at Mercury Lounge in New York (Oct. 27), Drake Hotel/Underground in Toronto (Oct. 28), Pike Room in Pontiac, Mich. (Oct. 29) and Schubas Tavern in Chicago (Oct. 30).

Tickets go on sale Friday, Sept. 10.

Mt. Desolation is currently touring the United Kingdom with dates on the books through late September.

Click here for Mt. Desolation’s website