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.
Walilamdzi
Devendra Banhart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dalilamdzi
Walilamzi
De'Landzi Delandzi
Seena Seena
Empo Empo Empo Allea Namuli Allea Hamuli
Dalilamdzi Walilamdzi
Seena Seena
Coyaba wade toololaakadzi
English translation:
The dawn
Is dawning
A shadow a shadow
I come home
May you may you rejoice
Rejoice grandmother
Rejoice grandmother
World over, all living
Person, you are living
The lyrics of Devendra Banhart's song Walilamdzi in the original Pit River dialect and its English translation are reflective of the cycle of life and the importance of celebrating each moment. The first few lines describe the arrival of dawn and the shadow it creates, perhaps reminiscent of life's shadows that accompany each new day. As the singer returns home, he urges the listener to rejoice, specifically directing this sentiment towards a "grandmother," who could be a broad metaphor for any elder or wise figure. The repeated phrase "Dalilamdzi Walilamdzi De'landzi De'landzi Seena Seena" echoes the dawn's arrival and the singer's eventual return, lending a cyclical structure to the song's theme.
The following lines speak to the universality of life, urging listeners to rejoice regardless of their circumstances or location. The final line, "Person, you are living," serves as a reminder to be present in each moment and to find joy wherever possible. The song's themes of celebration and the cyclical nature of life are underscored by Banhart's gentle guitar strumming and the hypnotic repetition of the Pit River phrases, resulting in a meditative and affirming listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
The dawn
The beginning of a new day
Is dawning
The sun is rising and the day is starting
A shadow a shadow
The darkness of the night is fading away
I come home
The artist has returned to their home
May you may you rejoice
A wish for happiness and celebration
Rejoice grandmother
An expression of respect or love for an older generation
Rejoice grandmother
An additional expression of respect or love for an older generation
World over, all living
A reminder of the interconnectedness of all life on Earth
Person, you are living
An acknowledgement of the artist's own existence and presence in the world
Contributed by Elijah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Thais Nicols
on Mi Negrita
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