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.
Whistling
Devendra Banhart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know I am the plateau.
Just one way to whistle, but it's too soon.
My love the red lagoon.
Devendra Banhart's song "Whistling" is a complex and poetic exploration of love and identity. The lyrics "There's one way to whistle, whistle while you work" suggest that the singer is trying to find a sense of purpose and direction in life. The repetition of the phrase "one way to whistle" highlights the singer's feeling of being limited by his circumstances, but the fact that he can still whistle suggests that he has some sense of hope and optimism. The line "I know I am the plateau" further suggests a feeling of being stuck or stagnant in life, but also suggests that the singer feels a sense of acceptance about his situation.
The second part of the lyrics, "Just one way to whistle, but it's too soon / My love the red lagoon" is more cryptic, but it suggests that the singer is longing for something more in his life - perhaps love or adventure. The "red lagoon" could be a metaphor for passion or desire, and the fact that it's "too soon" may suggest that the singer is not yet ready or able to pursue that passion.
Overall, "Whistling" is a poignant and introspective song that explores themes of self-discovery, identity, and longing. Its cryptic lyrics hint at deeper emotional truths, and its melancholy melody underscores the message of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
There's one way to whistle, whistle while you work.
You can only whistle in one specific way, which is to do so while you are working on something.
I know I am the plateau.
I am aware that I am at a point where there is no more progress or change.
Just one way to whistle, but it's too soon.
Although there is only one way to whistle, it's still too early for me to start doing it.
My love the red lagoon.
I am deeply in love with a beautiful and serene place, the red lagoon.
Contributed by Sophia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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