Devendra Banhart - Anybody listening ?


This guy is my new hero.

I've read his genre described as 'freak folk.'

Any recommendations for similarly styled artists?
kublakhan
Oh, how could I have forgoten to suggest - another yet more dark and brooding direction, and one of my personal favorites: 16 Horsepower - their album, "Folklore" is a great one for starters (and specifically to fit in this thread). Folklore is a superb collection of songs (I think most on that album are traditionals or regional folk songs, as I recall) with Edwards unique and expressive take on each. The band is difficult to clasify, as are others mentioned here, in this thread, but they've been loosely described as "goth-folk". I'd add that there is a hint of Applachian spirit, as well as country, and some of that musical-meat-grinder creativity of Tom Waits to stir the pot. The band dissolved in 2005, but the lead singer, David Eugene Edwards went on to form the band "Woven Hand". I'd describe Woven Hand's music an even darker shade of black - on their album "Blush Music" Edwards does a drawn-out (10+ minutes) version of Bill Wither's "Ain't no Sunshine When She's Gone" that is enough to drive one to slit their wrists in a warm bath. Edwards is also involved in another band called "Lillium" - though I haven't heard much of what that band sounds like, I have liked what I've heard, and I believe Edwards is a gifted and unique talent. Start with 16 Horsepower's, "Folklore" and see if you like it...then move on to darker realms if you care to pursue it further.

Marco
Will Oldham also does (did) business as Palace and Tortoise. That guy gets around.
Based on recommendations I bought a Sufjan Stevens cd (seven swans) and Bonnie Prince Billy (summer in the southeast.) LOVE them both!!
Banhart is very refreshing. Freakfolk, cool title. May i make a suggestion. Space Oddity. Listen how the freak of all freaks does it. Get past the song Space Oddity,(which is one great song) turn off the lights, sit back, let the mans music transport you to places like no other is capable. When you get back home, break out the old Websters, you will appreciate what you just heard that much more. Cerebral music from thirtyeight years ago that people are still trying to catch up to. Now that's freaky!!