The Riverside began as a project with Jake Jeanson (lead vocals, guitar) and Matt Day (bass, vocals) in Santa Barbara, California while the two were studying at Westmont College. While still performing under the name Jake Jeanson, the band won the 2012 Santa Barbara Battle of the Bands and quickly gained popularity throughout Southern California. Leaving his dream of becoming a solo artist behind, Jeanson chose to change the name of the band to The Riverside