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.
Side A
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
In "Side A" by Devendra Banhart, the lyrics initially describe the beauty of the shore, which has been worn and blackened by the passage of time. Despite this, the singer expresses love for it, indicating possibly that he finds beauty in things that most may consider unappealing. The lyrics then shift to talking about the hunter in heaven, the thunder being a companion by his side. The juxtaposition of the idyllic image of hunters with the heavenly setting creates an interesting contrast that suggests a sense of danger or uncertainty in the otherwise serene setting.
The next line mentions the singer's side and the fact that they can be seen now and unseen later. This could mean that the singer is talking about the ephemerality of being present in a particular moment and how things can change quickly or disappear without warning. The last few lines talk about the calm sea and how the path swoops down and lays by "your side," which could refer to a person the singer is addressing. Overall, "Side A" seems to evoke a sense of peace and wonder with a tinge of uncertainty and fleeting beauty.
Line by Line Meaning
The shore worn
I am drawn to the shoreline that has been shaped by the constant beating of the waves over time.
and born black
I find beauty in the dark and mysterious appearance of the shore.
I love that
I am deeply enamored with this sight and sensation.
I love that
I am deeply enamored with this sight and sensation (repeated for emphasis).
Seaside
I am captivated by the rocky and tumultuous area between the land and the sea.
Seaside
I am captivated by the rocky and tumultuous area between the land and the sea (repeated for emphasis).
The hunter in heaven
There is a powerful and vigilant force high above.
is thunder a companion by
Thunder serves as a faithful and constant companion to this divine presence.
My side
This hunter and its companion are ever-present by my side.
My side
This hunter and its companion are ever-present by my side (repeated for emphasis).
Now seen Unseen
There are some things that can only be perceived indirectly or through intuition.
Now seen Unseen
There are some things that can only be perceived indirectly or through intuition (repeated for emphasis).
The sea is calm
At times, the vast and unpredictable ocean can be tranquil and serene.
The path on high
Sometimes there are opportunities to reach greater heights in life.
It swoops down
These opportunities can be fleeting or hard to reach.
to lye by
But if I am patient and persevering, I can eventually find my place in the world.
Your side
Through it all, I hope to have someone who will stand by me and share the journey.
Your side
Through it all, I hope to have someone who will stand by me and share the journey (repeated for emphasis).
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEVENDRA BANHART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thais Nicols
on Mi Negrita
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