The Heartbeat of the Arizona Desert
Born beneath the vast, shifting skies of the Arizona desert, our duo was forged in the silence between canyon walls. We create music that captures the raw warmth of the American West and the grit of the open road. Our mission is more than melody; it is an invitation to wander through stories of heritage, dust, and silver light, connecting with every soul who finds beauty in the American West.
Meet the Duo
Rich Westerlund
GUITARIST, VOCALIST & Songwriter
Originally from Austin, Texas, Rich brings a gritty, rhythmic precision to our sound. Deeply influenced by the raw resonance of open space and the Old West, his focus is on capturing the atmospheric warmth of the Arizon Desert.
Julie Westerlund
Violinist & fiddler
Originally from Austin, Texas. Julie weaves the history of the trail into every melody. From haunting violin solos to dusty textures, she creates the narrative fabric that defines Desert Backroads.
The Evolution of
Desert Backroads
2026
Echoes of Arizona Desert. A celebration of wandering souls and the spirits of the trail.
2016
The Beginning. Born from Open Mics in the Hill Country of Central Texas. Two voices and a guitar and violin exploring the rhythm of the open road.
2022
The move to Tucson, Arizona. Our sound transitioned from raw acoustic to cinematic songs of the American West.