The Cold Desert began in Phoenix, Arizona in the Summer of 2008 as the solo project of singer/songwriter Matt Klassen. After two years of stressing out over how to play five instruments at the same time, Jared Kaiser joined the band on drums in the Fall of 2010. In 2011 they welcomed multi-instrumentalist Cody Nelson and bassist Jason Stromberg into the lineup.

Since forming, the Cold Desert have shared the stage with international/national touring artists such as Johnny Flynn & the Sussex Wit, Future of Forestry, Eastern Conference Champions, Dustin Kensrue (of Thrice), and The Stone Foxes. They’ve rocked the most notorious stages in Arizona with their eclectic blend of balls-out rock, melodic folk and dirty Southern blues and gospel.