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.
Cristobal Risquez
Devendra Banhart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That you say to me
Tonight I love you
And tomorrow we'll see
It ain't the end of the world
But it ain't the start of a new one
It ain't a hard card to play
We're full of action
Un-acted upon
We are I just don't know
How to do this full on
Still it ain't the end of the world
But it ain't the start of a new one
I'm no Lincoln Zapatone
Just want keep I can't own
It's no good, it's no good, it's no good
I don't understand and that's well understood
I see an actor
Chase around my baby
All of the sweet, sweet things
That you never save me
Still it ain't the end of the world
But it ain't the start of a new one
We get the news bit by bit
But not the whole of it
In the song Cristobal Risquez by Devendra Banhart, the singer is expressing confusion and uncertainty in a relationship. He acknowledges the sweet things his partner says to him and their love for each other, yet he is unsure of what the future holds. The lyrics "tonight I love you, and tomorrow we'll see" reflect his uncertain outlook. The singer acknowledges that it's not the end of the world, but it's not the start of a new one either. He seems to be struggling with taking action in the relationship, despite being full of ambition. He acknowledges that he doesn't know how to go full on with his partner.
The verse "I'm no Lincoln Zapatone, just want keep I can't own" is a reference to Lincoln Zapata, a Cuban political activist who fought for agricultural land reform. The singer seems to be comparing himself to Zapata in their shared desire to fight for what they want, while also acknowledging his limitations. He recognizes that he can't control everything and just wants to hold onto what he can.
The song also touches upon jealousy, with the singer seeing an actor chasing around his partner and feeling like he's not being saved from the sweet things that his partner is not telling him. The song ends with the lyrics "We get the news bit by bit, but not the whole of it," expressing a sense of incomplete understanding and the need for more communication in the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
All of the sweet things
The pleasant words and gestures that you use to express affection towards me
That you say to me
The things you have expressed verbally
Tonight I love you
I feel affectionate towards you at this moment
And tomorrow we'll see
I am unsure about our future together, I remain optimistic but cautious
It ain't the end of the world
Although things may seem difficult, they are not as serious as they may appear
But it ain't the start of a new one
Although things are not ideal, they are not entirely hopeless either
It ain't a hard card to play
The situation I am in is not very challenging and can easily be resolved
When from the get-go you won
The situation was favorable from the beginning and therefore easily won
We're full of action
We have the potential for great activity and passion
Un-acted upon
Despite our potential, we have not taken any significant action
We are I just don't know
Our situation is complicated and unclear
How to do this full on
We are unsure about how to approach this situation with complete commitment
I'm no Lincoln Zapatone
I am not a great leader or revolutionary figure
Just want keep I can't own
I desire to maintain something that I cannot fully possess or control
It's no good, it's no good, it's no good
The situation is not ideal and will not improve anytime soon
I don't understand and that's well understood
I am confused by the situation and it is a common sentiment
I see an actor
I observe a person who is not genuine or sincere
Chase around my baby
That person is actively pursuing my love interest
All of the sweet, sweet things
The positive qualities that my love interest has
That you never save me
Despite my feelings, my love interest does not return them and does not spare my heartache
We get the news bit by bit
We learn about the situation gradually, piece by piece
But not the whole of it
We do not yet have a complete understanding of the situation
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEVENDRA BANHART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thais Nicols
on Mi Negrita
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