Banhart is considered to have an eclectic style, with many of his songs seemingly following a stream-of-consciousness vein, being hard to decipher and non-literal. His music tends to consist of fairly simple guitar melodies with minimal other instrumentation, and his lyrical themes are often surreal and naturalistic. His involvement in the Los Angeles artist community is reflected in Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon, released in September 2007. He gained some underground notoriety in New York for performing several of his early shows with underwear on his head for the duration of the performance.
Banhart's most recent tour of the United States saw him perform with his full band, which is currently known as Power Mineral. Power Mineral included Andy Cabic (Vetiver), Greg Rogove (Priestbird), Noah Georgeson, Luckey Remington, Pete Newsom, Otto Hauser (Vetiver, Currituck Co., Espers, Nick Castro), Kevin Barker (Currituck Co.), and others. The band claims to rechristen itself when a name comes to them, and has previously been known as Fried Hummingbird, Vagina Burglars, Hairy Fairy Band, Las Putas Locas, Stoner Boner, Spiritual Boner, Bummer Hummer, Brain Taint, Love Fart, Bathhouse Of The Winds, and First Woman Millionaire among other names.
Banhart was discovered by Michael Gira of Swans, who released his Oh Me Oh My... The Way the Day Goes by the Sun Is Setting Dogs Are Dreaming… album on his own Young God Records label in 2002. In 2005, Banhart (along with Andy Cabic and Revolver USA) created the Gnomonsong record label. In 2006 he helped to curate an edition of the British All Tomorrow's Parties festival.
Banhart also was one of the younger musicians responsible for "rediscovering" the music of folksinger Vashti Bunyan. Bunyan is a guest vocalist on his album Rejoicing in the Hands.
16
Devendra Banhart Lyrics
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'Cause I know where to go
Well I know where not to go
'Cause I know where to go
Tonight we're gonna find our lover
Tonight we're gonna find our man
Wearing them pressed blue jeans
Gonna behead the king
And give the queen everything
'Cause tonight we're gonna find our lover
â??Cause tonight we're gonna find our man
We're gonna find our
We don't know where to go
We know where to go
We don't know what to do
We know what to do
We don't know where to go
We know where to go
We don't know anymore
I know I look high
But I'm just free dancing
I know I look hypnotized
But I'm just table tapping
'Cause tonight we ain't gonna find our lovers
Tonight we ain't gonna find our man
We don't know where to go
We know where to go
We don't know what to do
We know what to do
We don't know where to go
We know where to go
We don't know anymore
We don't know anymore
The lyrics to Devendra Banhart's song, 16th & Valencia Roxy Music, take the listener on a journey of uncertainty and excitement. Banhart opens the song by expressing his confusion and indecision about where to go. He then contradicts himself by saying that he knows where not to go, indicating that he has a sense of direction, but is not fully sure where it will lead him. This sense of ambiguity is reflected throughout the song, as he switches between confident declarations and moments of self-doubt.
The second half of the song takes on a more rebellious tone, as Banhart sings about beheading a king and giving the queen everything. He then proclaims that he and his companions will find their lover or their man. This suggests a sense of empowerment and determination, as they set out to take control of their own lives and destinies.
Overall, the lyrics to 16th & Valencia Roxy Music capture the uncertainty and adventure that comes with exploring new paths and taking risks. Banhart's playful wordplay and imaginative imagery add to the song's sense of whimsy and intrigue.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know where to go
I am uncertain of the direction to take
'Cause I know where to go
Although I am unsure, I have an idea where to head
Well I know where not to go
I am sure of the path I don't want to take
'Cause I know where to go
Despite what I don't want, I am sure of where to head
Tonight we're gonna find our lover
We will locate our beloved tonight
Tonight we're gonna find our man
We will locate our partner tonight
Riding six white horses
We will travel on six horses that are white in color
Wearing them pressed blue jeans
Our apparel, pressed blue jeans, will be worn by us
Gonna behead the king
We plan on executing the king by beheading
And give the queen everything
The queen shall receive everything from us
'Cause tonight we're gonna find our lover
Our beloved will be found tonight
â??Cause tonight we're gonna find our man
Our partner will be found tonight
We're gonna find our
We will locate them
We don't know where to go
We are uncertain of the direction to take
We know where to go
We have an idea of where to head
We don't know what to do
We are uncertain of what actions to take
We know what to do
We have an idea of what actions to take
We don't know where to go
We are uncertain of the direction to take
We know where to go
We have an idea of where to head
We don't know anymore
We are no longer certain of anything
I know I look high
I am aware that I appear to be under the influence of drugs
But I'm just free dancing
I am only engaged in dancing without care
I know I look hypnotized
I am aware that I appear to be under hypnosis
But I'm just table tapping
I am only tapping the table
'Cause tonight we ain't gonna find our lovers
We will not find our beloved tonight
Tonight we ain't gonna find our man
We will not find our partner tonight
We don't know where to go
We are uncertain of the direction to take
We know where to go
We have an idea of where to head
We don't know what to do
We are uncertain of what actions to take
We know what to do
We have an idea of what actions to take
We don't know where to go
We are uncertain of the direction to take
We know where to go
We have an idea of where to head
We don't know anymore
We are no longer certain of anything
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEVENDRA BANHART, NOAH GEORGESON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thais Nicols
on Mi Negrita
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