Cold Cave

Wesley Eisold, born on February 15, 1979, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is an American musician, poet, and author. He is best known for his work under the musical alias Cold Cave, a project he initiated in 2007. Prior to Cold Cave, Eisold was active in hardcore punk bands such as American Nightmare (1998-2004, 2010-present) and Some Girls. His entry into electronic music with Cold Cave was influenced by being born with one hand, which made playing traditional instruments like guitar or drums challenging. Cold Cave’s sound has been described as a blend of darkwave, noise, and synthpop, drawing comparisons to early 1980s post-punk and synthpop acts.

In addition to his musical endeavors, Eisold is the founder of Heartworm Press, an independent publishing company established in 2006. Through Heartworm, he has released his own writings, including his first collection of poems and prose, “Deathbeds,” in 2007, as well as works by other authors. His career has seen significant milestones, including signing with Matador Records, which re-released his debut album “Love Comes Close” in 2009, and releasing its follow-up, “Cherish the Light Years,” in 2011. Eisold has performed in prestigious venues such as the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the Getty Center. From 2012 onwards, Cold Cave began independently releasing a series of singles, culminating in the 2014 compilation album “Full Cold Moon.” This period also saw collaborations with other artists and tours with established acts.

Eisold’s professional journey has included collaborations with fashion designers, musicians, and artists. He has also been involved in notable legal matters, including a lawsuit in September 2024 concerning the “American Nightmare” trademark against WWE, professional wrestler Cody Runnels, and Fanatics. Throughout his career, Eisold has maintained a distinct artistic vision, characterized by his self-reliance in songwriting and production for Cold Cave, often working alone to create his music.