The Desert Sessions

The Desert Sessions are a musical collective series, founded by Josh Homme in 1997.[1] Artists such as Brant Bjork, PJ Harvey, Twiggy Ramirez, Dave Catching, Nick Oliveri, Mark Lanegan, John McBain, Ben Shepherd, Josh Freese, Chris Goss, Alain Johannes, Troy Van Leeuwen, Dean Ween, Les Claypool and many others from the Palm Desert Scene have contributed as songwriters and musicians.[2][3]

The Desert Sessions
OriginPalm Desert, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1997–2004
  • 2018–present
Labels
Websitewww.desertsessions.com

History

Background

The Desert Sessions began in August 1997 at the Rancho De La Luna in Joshua Tree when Josh Homme brought together musicians from the bands Monster Magnet, Goatsnake, earthlings?, and Kyuss.[1][4][5] The ranch, located in the Mojave Desert, has an old house filled with rare and unique recording equipment and instruments, and was owned by Dave Catching and the late Fred Drake.[6][7] With the large numbers of musicians arriving to the ranch over time, and with many albums having been produced there, the setting has been described as creating a unique "desert sound" comparable to the grunge rock of Seattle in the early 1990s and the acid rock of San Francisco in the 1960s.[8][9]

The first Desert Session was not actually a "session" per se, but Homme and his band at the time (The Acquitted Felons) playing for three days straight on psychedelic mushrooms.[10][11] Since then, the Desert Sessions have become legendary, growing in intensity and artistic merit.[12] Homme said:

At Desert Sessions, you play for the sake of music. That's why it's good for musicians. If someday that's not enough anymore, or that's not the reason behind you doing it—that's not your raison d'être—then a quick reminder like Desert Sessions can do so much for you, it's amazing. It's easy to forget that this all starts from playing in your garage and loving it.[13]

Improvisational atmosphere

Desert Sessions songs are written "on the spot," often in a matter of hours.[2][14] Many stories have sprung from the improvisational atmosphere of the ranch. For example, the song "Creosote" from Volumes 9 & 10 was written by Dean Ween and Alain Johannes on the ranch's front porch within four minutes of meeting each other.[15] Similarly, Chris Goss and PJ Harvey wrote the song "There Will Never Be A Better Time" for I See You Hearin' Me after going out onto the porch of the ranch for four minutes with an acoustic guitar; they re-entered the house and recorded the song in one take, the only time the song was ever played by the collective.[12]

Homme on project delays

In a 2007 interview with Rockline, Homme stated that he was going to be working on a new Desert Sessions album in December 2007, and the first ten will be re-released as a box set.[16] Homme also stated:

There's nothing going on [now]. I wish, but I've run out of time. I'm talking to this one guy about adding four more hours to each day, but he's not real positive about it. Those are never going to end, because there's no reason for them to end. But I'd like to make them more regular. – Josh Homme interview with Billboard.com, April 13, 2007[17]

The Desert Sessions are gonna go on forever. There's no reason to stop them. No, it wasn't me that said there would be only 12 volumes—I'm gonna do 112! It's just a mix tape—the longest-running mix tape in existence. It's awesome: doing them is just a matter of making the time frame come together. I was really wanting to do one before the new album "Era Vulgaris" came out, but we didn't put a time frame on it and it consumed what would have been that time. I didn't want it to take away from what we were doing. – Josh Homme in May 2007 as recorded by Blabbermouth.net.[18]

After 11 years of inactivity, Homme revealed in October 2014 that he would start working on more Desert Sessions material the following year.[19] Homme added:

"Because Desert Sessions works best at a certain time of the year, when everything slows and everyone takes a deep breath out. At the end of the year, in that December-January timeframe, everyone has exhaled. And post-exhale is the time to do something like that. So if I miss that window… I miss that window".[20]

Desert Sessions Volumes 11 & 12

Homme remained silent about the project until May 2019, when he posted an image on Instagram with the hashtags "#Desert, #Sessions, #11, #12".[21]

In September 2019, Desert Sessions Volumes 11 & 12 were officially announced,[22][23] along with a comedic promo video featuring Homme and Liam Lynch.[24] The promo includes Homme running through some of the featured artists such as Billy Gibbons, Les Claypool, and Jake Shears.[24]

In October 2019, recordings of the Desert Sessions were released for the first time in sixteen years.[1][25]

Live performances

The Desert Sessions have only performed live twice. The live performances, which included Joey Castillo, Troy Van Leeuwen, Brian O'Connor, and Homme, as well as a variety of musicians performing different songs, were performed on an episode of the British music television show Later... with Jools Holland, as well as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2004.[26][27]

Awards

The art directors for Desert Sessions Volumes 11 & 12, Doug Cunningham and Jason Noto, won in the category for "Best Recording Package" at the 2021 Grammy Awards.[28]

Discography

Note

  • Desert Sessions 7 & 8, 9 & 10, and 11 & 12 were never released independently of each other. The first two were originally released as two double EPs, and the latter as a single LP.

Collaborating artists
Member Associated acts 1 & 2 3 & 4 5 & 6 7 & 8 9 & 10 11 & 12
Josh Homme[lower-alpha 1] Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss, Eagles of Death Metal, Screaming Trees, Them Crooked Vultures, Masters of Reality X X X X X X
Fred Drake earthlings?, Ministry of Fools X X X X
Dave Catching Queens of the Stone Age, earthlings?, Mondo Generator, Eagles of Death Metal, Yellow#5, Goon Moon, Peaches X X X X X
Brant Bjork Kyuss, Fu Manchu, Brant Bjork & The Bros, Fatso Jetson, Mondo Generator, Yellow #5, Vista Chino, Stöner X X
Alfredo Hernández Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Orquesta del Desierto, Yawning Man, Across the River X X
Pete Stahl Scream, Wool, Goatsnake, earthlings?, Orquesta del Desierto X X
Ben Shepherd Soundgarden, Hater, Wellwater Conspiracy X X
John McBain Monster Magnet, Hater, Wellwater Conspiracy X X
Nick Oliveri Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Dwarves, Mondo Generator, Vista Chino, Bl'ast, Stöner X X
Mario Lalli Fatso Jetson, Yawning Man, Across The River X X
Larry Lalli Fatso Jetson X
Jesse Hughes Eagles of Death Metal X
Craig Armstrong X
Loo Balls X
T. Fresh X
Blag Dahlia Dwarves, Mondo Generator, Queens of the Stone Age X
Gene Trautmann The Miracle Workers, Queens of the Stone Age, Eagles of Death Metal X
Barrett Martin Screaming Trees, Mad Season, Queens of the Stone Age X
Adam Maples earthlings? X
Teddy Quinn Dig Your Own Cactus, Ministry of Fools X
Tony Mason Dig Your Own Cactus X
Chris Goss Masters of Reality, Goon Moon X X
Alain Johannes Eleven, What Is This?, Chris Cornell, Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures (live) X X
Natasha Shneider Eleven, Black Russian, Chris Cornell, Queens of the Stone Age X
Mark Lanegan Screaming Trees, Mad Season, Queens of the Stone Age, The Twilight Singers, The Gutter Twins, Isobel Campbell, Soulsavers X
Brendon McNichol Rattlebone, Masters of Reality, Queens of the Stone Age X
Samantha Maloney Hole, Mötley Crüe, Eagles of Death Metal, Peaches X
Nick Eldorado LIKEHELL X
PJ Harvey PJ Harvey X
Troy Van Leeuwen Failure, A Perfect Circle, Enemy, Gone Is Gone, Queens of the Stone Age, Sweethead X
Joey Castillo Zilch, Wasted Youth, Danzig, Goatsnake, Sugartooth, Queens of the Stone Age, Eagles of Death Metal, Bl'ast, California Breed X
Dean Ween Ween, Moistboyz X
Josh Freese The Vandals, Devo, A Perfect Circle, Nine Inch Nails X
Jeordie White Nine Inch Nails, Goon Moon, A Perfect Circle, Marilyn Manson X
Brian O'Connor Eagles of Death Metal X
Christian Grahn The Hives X
Sasha Vallely Spindrift, Lords of Altamont, Mondo Generator, King Adora, Sash The Bash, Midnight Larks, The Mobsters, The Silver Chords X
Matt Berry X
Billy Gibbons ZZ Top X
Stella Mozgawa Warpaint X
Jake Shears Scissor Sisters X
Mike Kerr Royal Blood X
Carla Azar Autolux, Jack White X
Les Claypool Primus, Blind Illusion, the Holy Mackerel, Buckethead, Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, Oysterhead, Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains, The Claypool Lennon Delirium X
Matt Sweeney Chavez, Zwan, Skunk X
Libby Grace X

Notes
  1. Credited as "Töôrnst Hülpft" on track 2 of Volume 12

References
  1. Appleford, Steve (October 23, 2019). "After 16 years, Josh Homme rekindles the 'Desert Sessions': 'This will outlast everything I do'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 17, 2023. (subscription required)
  2. "The Desert Sessions". Discogs. Archived from the original on July 11, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  3. Babcock, Jay. "Volume 9: I See You Hearin' Me Volume 10: I Heart Disco". Ipecac Recordings. Archived from the original on July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  4. van Horn, Teri (November 12, 1998). "Queens Of The Stone Age At Home In Desert". MTV. Archived from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  5. Jenke, Tyler (May 5, 2019). "Josh Homme has teased the return of his legendary Desert Sessions". The Brag Media. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  6. McCloskey, Caroline (February 3, 2020). "The Last Stand of the Great Rock & Roll Mother*ckers". GQ. New York City: Condé Nast. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  7. Chelin, Pamela (February 28, 2022). "Rhythm on the Ranch". Palm Springs Life. Palm Springs, California: Desert Publications. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  8. Gill, David (October 11, 1998). "Debut Earthlings? Album Blooms In Desert Studio". MTV. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  9. McGee, Alan (March 4, 2008). "The Ascent of Homme". The Guardian. Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  10. Cullen, Kyle (October 26, 2019). "Desert Sessions Debut Animated Music Video for 'Crucifire'". mxdwn.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  11. "Desert Sessions 7 & 8". The Line of Best Fit. February 25, 2010. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  12. Blandford, James (2004). PJ Harvey: Siren Rising. London: Omnibus Press. p. 153. ISBN 1-84449-433-0.
  13. Newcomb, Ming Lee (May 3, 2019). "Josh Homme hints at new Desert Sessions albums". Consequence. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  14. "Josh Homme on the Power of Desert Sessions and Waiting for Them Crooked Vultures". Rolling Stone (Interview). Interviewed by Kory Grow. November 2, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2023. (subscription required)
  15. "Creosote". SonicHits. Archived from the original on July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  16. Coburn, Bob; Josh Homme; Troy Van Leeuwen (July 30, 2007). "Queens new material". Rockline radio. Archived from the original (radio interview) on June 20, 2017. Retrieved August 1, 2007.
  17. Cohen, Jonathan (April 13, 2007). "Reznor Guest Spot Adds Mystery To QOTSA Album". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  18. "Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme Rules Out KYUSS Reunion". Blabbermouth.net. May 8, 2007. Archived from the original on May 10, 2007. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
  19. Appleford, Steve (October 22, 2014). "Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme Is Our Last Real Rock Star". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  20. Jones, Damian (May 3, 2019). "Josh Homme teases new Desert Sessions project". NME. Archived from the original on October 26, 2019. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  21. Foulk, Nick (May 2, 2019). "Josh Homme Teases Desert Sessions 11 and 12 on Instagram". mxdwn.com. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  22. Young, Alex (September 26, 2019). "Josh Homme announces Desert Sessions Vol. 11 & 12". Consequence. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  23. Trendell, Andrew (September 26, 2019). "Josh Homme announces star-studded line-up for 'Desert Sessions' volumes 11 and 12". NME. Archived from the original on September 26, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  24. Jones, Damian (October 16, 2019). "Watch Josh Homme try and perform a Satanic seance in hilarious promo for 'Desert Sessions' Volumes 11 and 12". NME. Archived from the original on October 18, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  25. Moon, Tom; O'Connor, Gabe (November 5, 2019). "Josh Homme's Rotating Supergroup The Desert Sessions Returns For 'Vols. 11 & 12'". NPR. Archived from the original on November 6, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  26. Cooper, Leonie (October 17, 2017). "Josh Homme's 10 finest moments". NME. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  27. "The Desert Sessions – Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival". Discogs. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  28. "2021 Grammys Winners: The Full List". The New York Times. March 14, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2023. (subscription required)
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