Devendra Banhart Biogrpahy

Musician and artist Devendra Banhart is not widely known to the public, but he has found a great deal of success with his band Power Mineral. Releasing many albums and collaborating with an impressive laundry list of musical heavy hitters, Banhart has also managed to make a name for himself through his visual art. He landed in the headlines recently for his rumored relationship with one of Hollywood’s most bright and beautiful starlets.

Devendra Banhart was born May 30, 1981 in Houston, Texas. He was subsequently raised in Caracas, Venezuela from the ages of two to thirteen.

Banhart received his first musical break when he was discovered by Michael Gira in 2002. (Gira is, of course, noted for his time with the band Swans.)

Banhart immediately began releasing albums. The Charles C Leary came out in 2002 as did Oh Me Oh My…

By 2005, Banhart decided to branch into the business end of music. To that end, he created the record label Gnomonsong along with Revolver USA and band mate Andy Cabic.

The following year, he proved yet again his diverse personal and professional interests when he served as curate to the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival.

Banhart is perhaps best known, however, for his band Power Mineral. In addition to Banhart, the band is comprised of Cabic, Greg Rogove, Noah Georgeson, Pete Newsom, Luckey Remington, Otto Hauser, Kevin Barker, and a variety of other musicians.

Power Mineral claims that they cannot be tied to one name, and as such, they are constantly changing the band name as it suits them. Their alternate names include Fried Hummingbird, Stoner Boner, Hairy Fairy Band, Brain Taint, and many others.

His brand of music has been called everything from folk to psych to New Weird America.

Enjoying a varied and storied career, Banhart has had collaborations with many famous celebrities and musicians. To that end, he and Natalie Portman were both involved in the FINCA benefit. Also, the second “Water Piece” was a collaboration between Yoko Ono and himself. Others may know Banhart through the album Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon, which also features vocals by actor Gael Garcia Bernal.

Outside of music, Banhart attended the San Francisco Art Institute. His artwork was displayed at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art through February 24, 2008. The show, “Abstract Rhythms,” also featured the posthumous work of Paul Klee.

At various times he has lived in New York City, San Francisco, and most recently, Los Angeles.

In his personal life, he has rumored to be in a relationship with Garden State actress Portman since 2008.