PRESS
-
Psychedelic six-strings
()
Boston Phoenix | by BY MAC RANDALLDevendra Banhart and the avant-folk movementEven when you’re in the salubrious environs of Paris, as singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart is today, talking over the phone to a journalist can be tiring. But the boots he’s just bought are keeping his enthusiasm high; word is they once belonged to film icon Gary Cooper. "It’s hard finding shoes that I like," the 23-year-old says, "but I like Gary Cooper’s." You could say that Banhart — born in Texas, raised in Venezuela, and a world traveler by inclination — has stepped into someone else’s shoes in more ways than one. His musical footwear, however, owes little to the golden age of Hollywood and quite a lot to the psychedelic ’60s. On his latest album, Niño Rojo (Young God), he warbles lines like "Cook me in your breakfast, put me on your plate ’cause you know I taste great" ("At the Hop") over the plink of a nylon-string guitar. The gnomish quiver in his voice coupled with the whimsical lyrics brings back memories of Donovan, the Incredible String Band, and Tyrannosaurus Rex–era Marc Bolan. His beard, long hair, Indian name, and general demeanor boost the impression of a flower......
-
Psychedelic six-strings
()
Boston Phoenix | by BY MAC RANDALLDevendra Banhart and the avant-folk movementEven when you’re in the salubrious environs of Paris, as singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart is today, talking over the phone to a journalist can be tiring. But the boots he’s just bought are keeping his enthusiasm high; word is they once belonged to film icon Gary Cooper. "It’s hard finding shoes that I like," the 23-year-old says, "but I like Gary Cooper’s." You could say that Banhart — born in Texas, raised in Venezuela, and a world traveler by inclination — has stepped into someone else’s shoes in more ways than one. His musical footwear, however, owes little to the golden age of Hollywood and quite a lot to the psychedelic ’60s. On his latest album, Niño Rojo (Young God), he warbles lines like "Cook me in your breakfast, put me on your plate ’cause you know I taste great" ("At the Hop") over the plink of a nylon-string guitar. The gnomish quiver in his voice coupled with the whimsical lyrics brings back memories of Donovan, the Incredible String Band, and Tyrannosaurus Rex–era Marc Bolan. His beard, long hair, Indian name, and general demeanor boost the impression of a flower......
-
Psychedelic six-strings
()
Boston Phoenix | by BY MAC RANDALLDevendra Banhart and the avant-folk movementEven when you’re in the salubrious environs of Paris, as singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart is today, talking over the phone to a journalist can be tiring. But the boots he’s just bought are keeping his enthusiasm high; word is they once belonged to film icon Gary Cooper. "It’s hard finding shoes that I like," the 23-year-old says, "but I like Gary Cooper’s." You could say that Banhart — born in Texas, raised in Venezuela, and a world traveler by inclination — has stepped into someone else’s shoes in more ways than one. His musical footwear, however, owes little to the golden age of Hollywood and quite a lot to the psychedelic ’60s. On his latest album, Niño Rojo (Young God), he warbles lines like "Cook me in your breakfast, put me on your plate ’cause you know I taste great" ("At the Hop") over the plink of a nylon-string guitar. The gnomish quiver in his voice coupled with the whimsical lyrics brings back memories of Donovan, the Incredible String Band, and Tyrannosaurus Rex–era Marc Bolan. His beard, long hair, Indian name, and general demeanor boost the impression of a flower......
-
Psychedelic six-strings
()
Boston Phoenix | by BY MAC RANDALLDevendra Banhart and the avant-folk movementEven when you’re in the salubrious environs of Paris, as singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart is today, talking over the phone to a journalist can be tiring. But the boots he’s just bought are keeping his enthusiasm high; word is they once belonged to film icon Gary Cooper. "It’s hard finding shoes that I like," the 23-year-old says, "but I like Gary Cooper’s." You could say that Banhart — born in Texas, raised in Venezuela, and a world traveler by inclination — has stepped into someone else’s shoes in more ways than one. His musical footwear, however, owes little to the golden age of Hollywood and quite a lot to the psychedelic ’60s. On his latest album, Niño Rojo (Young God), he warbles lines like "Cook me in your breakfast, put me on your plate ’cause you know I taste great" ("At the Hop") over the plink of a nylon-string guitar. The gnomish quiver in his voice coupled with the whimsical lyrics brings back memories of Donovan, the Incredible String Band, and Tyrannosaurus Rex–era Marc Bolan. His beard, long hair, Indian name, and general demeanor boost the impression of a flower......
-
Man vs. nature
()
Montreal Mirror | by LORRAINE CARPENTERDevendra Banhart keeps the peace "I play guitar poorly and sing poorly," says singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart, going against the tide of critical acclaim that has gathered and grown around him since 2002's Oh Me Oh My the Way the Day Goes by the Sun Is Setting Dogs Are Dreaming Lovesongs of the Christmas Spirit. That LP was followed last year by Black Babies and this year by two more albums, Rejoicing in the Hands and Nino Rojo, all bearing his antique folk simplicity, Eastern streaks, quivering vocals and quaint poetry. Born in Texas and raised in Caracas and California, Banhart and his family followed the teachings of Maharaji Prem Rawat, who named him - Devendra means "king of gods." For over two years, Banhart has lived on the road, but he hopes to settle someday in either Cape Breton, Mexico or Woodstock, N.Y. (no surprise there). The Mirror caught up with the nomadic artiste - currently on tour with his other project, a band called Vetiver - to discuss plastic surgery, Mother Nature's scab and his mysterious book. Mirror: I've read several different descriptions of the book you're writing. Is it a cookbook? Is it......