Devendra Banhart
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Devendra Banhart (born 30 May, 1981 in Houston, Texas ) is a psych folk singer/songwriter whose first few records were released on the Young God Records label from New York City; his most recent CD was released by XL Recordings. He is one of the most popular artists to come out of the new New Weird America movement that includes performers such as Faun Fables, Animal Collective, Viking Moses, Jack Rose, Jana Hunter, the MV + EE Medicine Show, Currituck Co., Six Organs of Admittance, We the Royal, and many others. He is also a member of the group Vetiver.
Banhart is often compared to such disparate artists as Marc Bolan, Daniel Johnston, Billie Holiday, Syd Barrett, Nick Drake, John Fahey, and Tiny Tim. His music tends to consist of fairly simple guitar melodies with minimal other instrumentation, and his lyrics are often surreal and naturalistic.
Banhart was 'discovered' by Michael Gira of Swans, who released his Oh Me Oh My... album on his own Young God Records label in 2002. In 2005, he (along with Andy Cabic and Revolver USA) created the Gnomonsong record label.
His most recent tour of the United States saw him perform with his full band, known as Hairy Fairy, which included Andy Cabic, Otto Hauser (Currituck Co., Espers), Kevin Barker (Currituck Co.), Noah Georgeson, Luckey Remington, and others. Hauser and Barker have also toured with Antony and the Johnsons as members of Antony's band; Banhart and Antony have served as guest vocalists for one another.
Banhart was "curator" for a compilation CD released by Bastet (an imprint of the alternative magazine Arthur) called The Golden Apples of the Sun. This CD served in many respects as the defining moment for the "psych folk" movement, and solidified Banhart's role as a leader of this movement and a tastemaker for this genre.
Banhart also was one of the younger musicians responsible for "rediscovering" the music of folksinger Vashti Bunyan. Bunyan is a guest vocalist on his CD, "Rejoicing in the Hands of the Golden Empress." He reportedly writes her name on his arm before every concert.
Banhart's style has also been compaired to the enigmatic Karen Dalton whose two solo LP releases in the 1970s depict her epic voice, Banhart's own vocal style is quite comparable, with his highs reaching that of a woman's and Dalton's lows reaching that of a man's.
He currently resides in Los Angeles.
Discography
- The Charles C. Leary (Hinah, 2002)
- Oh Me Oh My... The Way the Day Goes By the Sun Is Setting Dogs Are Dreaming Lovesongs of the Christmas Spirit (Young God, 2002)
- The Black Babies (UK EP) (Young God, 2003)
- Rejoicing in the Hands (Young God, 2004)
- Niño Rojo (Young God, 2004)
- Cripple Crow (XL Recordings 2005)
- Devendra Banhart/Jana Hunter (split with Jana Hunter, Troubleman Unlimited #153, LP, 2005)
Trivia
- Contributed to the UNICEF benefit song, "Do They Know It's Hallowe'en?" in 2005.
External links
- [XL Recordings]
- [Young God Records]
- hinah [Catalog (pre-Young God Records)]
- [The Suitcase Fansite]
- [Interview] at Brian M. Palmer
- [Concert photos] by Laurent Orseau
- [Concert photos] by Elyasaf Kowner
- ["A Refugee From History", PopMatters interview (11/2005)]
- ["As the Crow Flies...," Article in Filter Magazine from 06/2005]
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