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.
Seaside
Devendra Banhart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and born black
I love that
I love that
Seaside
Seaside
is thunder a companion by
My side
My side
Now seen Unseen
Now seen Unseen
The sea is calm
The path on high
It swoops down
to lye by
Your side
Your side
Your side
The lyrics to Devendra Banhart's song "Seaside" evoke a dreamlike atmosphere by playing with contrasting images of light and dark, movement and stillness, seen and unseen. The repeated phrase "I love that" suggests a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world, even its darker aspects such as the blackness of the worn shore. The use of the word "born" implies an organic connection between the shore and the sea, as though they are always in the process of creating and recreating each other.
Line by Line Meaning
The shore worn
The shoreline is marked by time and use
and born black
And seems as if it was born dark and murky
I love that
But I appreciate it nonetheless
I love that
I still love it
Seaside
The beach
Seaside
Where the land meets the ocean
The hunter in heaven
A person speeding through space in a rocket
is thunder a companion by
Is accompanied by the sound of a thunderstorm in space
My side
Beside me
My side
With me
Now seen Unseen
Things are now in focus, then blurry
Now seen Unseen
Now visible, now obscure
The sea is calm
The water is still and steady
The path on high
The way up high
It swoops down
It dips low to the ground
to lye by
And comes to rest beside
Your side
Near where you are
Your side
Close to you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEVENDRA BANHART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Arnaldo
The shore worn
And born black
I love that, I love that
Seaside, seaside
Seaside, seaside
The hunter in heaven
Is thunder a companion by
My side, my side
My side, my side
Now seen, unseen
Now seen, unseen
Now seen, unseen
Now seen, unseen
The sea is calm
The path on high
It swoops down to lie
By your side, you side
Your side, your side
Your side, your side
Arnaldo
The shore worn
And born black
I love that, I love that
Seaside, seaside
Seaside, seaside
The hunter in heaven
Is thunder a companion by
My side, my side
My side, my side
Now seen, unseen
Now seen, unseen
Now seen, unseen
Now seen, unseen
The sea is calm
The path on high
It swoops down to lie
By your side, you side
Your side, your side
Your side, your side
José Ballinas
Devendra es el abrazo de la melancolía.
Patrick H
I love Devendra. Sooo chilled, nice, and brilliant..! Genius. Thanks for the upload!
rose7art
omgsh there isn't one song from this guy i don't like. wtf. he is amazing
RxZ
when i close my eyes and listen to this song ... i can basically feel the sea .
Marxi c
Pure art!
Rosie Starkweather
It's midnight. I'm listening to this song, sitting on my roof, smoking a cigarette. And I swear in this moment I feel special.
MESincorporated
Rosie Starkweather
MESincorporated
Rosie Starkweather
azureamethyst
i know, i thought i ought to fix that mistake. nothing grates me more than to realize a really amazing song has not yet been put up on youtube