In 1997, Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) and a handful of friends retreated to the desert of Joshua Tree, CA in order to isolate themselves from the distractions and comforts of their everyday lives. What began as a casual writing and recording session amongst friends has since become a project of legend. Spanning twelve volumes over the course of two decades, Desert Sessions has featured some of musics most cherished icons stepping out of their comfort zones and collaborating with one another to create some of the most exciting music of their careers.Ending a 16-year hiatus since its last installment, the most mythical, longest running rock n roll mixtape odyssey in existence, Desert Sessions returns this October with the most ambitious entries yet in its expansive and elusive catalog.Vols. 11 & 12 (a/k/a respectively as Arrivederci Despair and Tightwads & Nitwits & Critics & Heels) is out October 25 on Matador Records. A limited edition first vinyl pressing includes a one of a kind custom mix & match body swap booklet. Vols. 11 & 12 were recorded mostly in a six-day span in December 2018 at Rancho De La Luna studios in Joshua Tree, CA, with Queens of the Stone Age founder and Desert Sessions ringleader/producer Joshua Homme enlisting a cast of players including Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Stella Mozgawa (Warpaint), Jake Shears (Scissor Sisters), Mike Kerr (Royal Blood), Carla Azar (Autolux, Jack White), Les Claypool (Primus), Matt Sweeney, Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows, Toast of London), newcomer, Libby Grace and Trnst Hlpft. The results are eight new songs that embody the legacy of freedom from expectations and inhibitions that stretches back to 1997, when Homme led a first retreat to the Joshua Tree desert. What began as a casual writing and recording session amongst friendsisolated from daily distractions and comfortshas since become a possibly infinite body of work.Now spanning 12 volumes over the course of two decades (and a total of two documented live performances), The Desert Sessions has featured some of musics most cherished iconspast players have included Polly Harvey, Mark Lanegan, Josh Freese, Dean Ween, among many others deliberately removing themselves from their comfort zones and working together to create some of their most relaxed yet challenging work.The tracklist for Desert Sessions Vols. 11 (Arrivederci Despair) and 12 (Tightwads & Nitwits & Critics & Heels) is: Move Together (lead vocal: Billy F. Gibbons), Noses in Roses, Forever (lead vocal: Joshua Homme), Far East for the Trees, If You Run (lead vocal: Libby Grace), Crucifire (lead vocal: Mike Kerr), Chic Tweetz (vocals: Trnst Hlpft, Matt Berry), Something You Cant See (lead vocal: Jake Shears), Easier Said Than Done (lead vocal: Joshua Homme). Given the projects emphasis on collaboration and inspiration, Homme previously explained to Consequence Of Sound, At Desert Sessions, you play for the sake of music. Thats why its good for musicians. If someday thats not enough anymore, or thats not the reason behind you doing it thats not your raison dtre then a quick reminder like Desert Sessions can do so much for you, its amazing. Its easy to forget that this all starts from playing in your garage and loving it.One of the projects most impressive lineup of playersTHE NEW YORK TIMES