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.
An Island
Devendra Banhart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I just couldn't follow them
Your eyelash was an island
And your eyes were someone's friend
How could that have been
Well I heard it was a real sweet thing
Now when my smells grew some new smells
I smell my sister in the winter
And my father in the fall
Cross sand and snow
A tired moan
The lyrics of Devendra Banhart’s song “An Island” are highly poetic, and leave room for interpretation. In the first verse, he talks about how he lost his “fingers” and couldn't follow them, which could symbolize losing control or not being able to keep track of something important to him. The use of “eyelash” as an “island” and the fact that eyes were “someone’s friend” seems to portray a sense of longing or perhaps a feeling of being disconnected from others.
In the second verse, Banhart creates an image of new smells that he cannot quite identify. However, these smells bring up memories of his family members; he smells his “sister in the winter” and his “father in the fall”. This could suggest that his sense of smell triggers memories, and that he is trying to hold on to them. The last line of the verse, “cross sand and snow, a tired moan”, creates an image of someone traveling across difficult terrain with a sense of exhaustion, representing an emotional burden or hardship that the singer of the song is facing.
Overall, the lyrics of “An Island” are expressive, poetic and open to interpretation. Banhart uses symbolism and metaphors, as well as sensory experiences, to convey complex emotions such as longing, disconnection, and memory.
Line by Line Meaning
All my fingers ran off
I lost control of my actions and my ability to hold onto things.
And I just couldn't follow them
I was unable to keep up with the changes happening around me.
Your eyelash was an island
Your delicate features felt like a refuge from the chaos of life.
And your eyes were someone's friend
Your caring eyes could provide comfort and compassion to others.
How could that have been
It was hard to believe that such kindness and beauty could exist in the world.
Well I heard it was a real sweet thing
I had heard rumors that your presence was something truly special and beautiful.
Now when my smells grew some new smells
As I experienced new things, my understanding and perception of the world changed.
And I just couldn't smell them all
I was overwhelmed and couldn't fully process or comprehend everything I was experiencing.
I smell my sister in the winter
Memories and experiences of loved ones stick with me through all seasons and times.
And my father in the fall
Even though people may leave this world, they still remain a part of us and our experiences.
Cross sand and snow
Journeying through tough terrain and obstacles in life.
A tired moan
The exhaustion and weariness that comes with difficult experiences.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEVENDRA BANHART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thais Nicols
on Mi Negrita
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