PRESS
-
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......
-
Loving the ugly babies
()
Hour | by Ilana KronickNeo-folk artist and performer Devendra Banhart pregnant with songsTo empty the contents of his overnight brain, every morning Devendra Banhart puts paintbrush to paper. He opts for watercolours, not for their distinctive bleed, but for their portability, a necessary feature for a painter who happens to live on the road, playing fantastical folk music. For two and half years, the 22-year-old West Coaster who considers himself nomadic has been throwing around his dusty brand of antique guitar gospel wherever it'll fly - which, by the way, ain't exactly everywhere. Despite the staggering and undeniable raw talent that this so-called folk revivalist exhibits, for every musical mind who at first glance pegged this kid to be the "real deal" there's at least one folk type nonplussed by the meandering hippie with the possessed posture, gargly voice and storybook delivery. "I'm not at all a folk purist. But there are so many kids who come to the shows who are the poison of the shows because they're the folk purists and they're really infuriated by seeing someone who is being considered folk and labelled folk but who isn't. They get mad that I play reggae songs and Johnny......
-
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......
-
Loving the ugly babies
()
Hour | by Ilana KronickNeo-folk artist and performer Devendra Banhart pregnant with songsTo empty the contents of his overnight brain, every morning Devendra Banhart puts paintbrush to paper. He opts for watercolours, not for their distinctive bleed, but for their portability, a necessary feature for a painter who happens to live on the road, playing fantastical folk music. For two and half years, the 22-year-old West Coaster who considers himself nomadic has been throwing around his dusty brand of antique guitar gospel wherever it'll fly - which, by the way, ain't exactly everywhere. Despite the staggering and undeniable raw talent that this so-called folk revivalist exhibits, for every musical mind who at first glance pegged this kid to be the "real deal" there's at least one folk type nonplussed by the meandering hippie with the possessed posture, gargly voice and storybook delivery. "I'm not at all a folk purist. But there are so many kids who come to the shows who are the poison of the shows because they're the folk purists and they're really infuriated by seeing someone who is being considered folk and labelled folk but who isn't. They get mad that I play reggae songs and Johnny......
-
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......