MYSTICAL POETRY
Los Angeles, April 2022
DEVENDRA BANHART is a singer, songwriter, musician, artist, mystical creature who lives in a universe unlike any other. A prolific output – he has released ten albums under his own name, plus another ten or so collaboratively, not to mention his books and artworks that include drawings, poetry, a collection of linen clothing, photography, mixed media collage, ... It’s surprising that he has any spare time at all, but what is time anyway other than a construct that we all live by.
Devendra! Describe where you wake up?
This morning to the rain, it’s one of the few days we get heavy rain here in Los Angeles. It’s heaven. I sleep in a room with no windows, just a bed and a painting that belonged to my great-great-grandfather, cocoon-like, and while I often wish I was rising to the sun, I have it set up so I move from the dark room to a dark altar room where I meditate each morning. So that works out quite nicely.
And yet, in my imagination, here’s what really happens:
You hear an alarm clock go o and cut to a montage of me trying on dierent dresses to Sheena Easton’s Morning Train as the credits roll.
Wait, so what is your morning ritual?
Oh, I was just talking about this with you! So, from my bedroom there is a small flight of steps that leads up to the altar space where I sit for morning practice. I meditate for an hour and then do something called Sang, which is a smoke oering ritual in the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition.
Then it’s espresso and the news, followed by running which I think really helps after reading the dreadful news.
How important is time to you?
Well, when I’m caught in my mind, that is, believing that the world will explode if I don’t meet a deadline or finish a particular artwork etc (and of course, this is totally insane) then time becomes an electric rush that always leads to burn out and anxiety. If I step back, ... feel my body, take a few conscious breaths, oh, come back to now, oh, there’s really no rush, oh, I can see time a bit differently, I can see how very hungry it is and how very uninterested in me it is.
You are a gemini – do you feel like one?
Very much so, especially when onstage. I’m often wondering: “What the hell am I doing up here yelling at all these people?” To this day it surprises me that when I get offstage, I mostly just wanna be alone, read a book, draw a bath - very grandma. As I grow and age, I do try and reconcile those two ways of being: a little more adventurous in my private life, a little more grounded and calmer in my performing. Ultimately, it’s about being sensitive and gentle, regardless of the activity. It could be jumping around yelling my ass off, but still have a gentle quality to it. I don’t manage this every performance, not by a long shot, but it’s what I strive for.
What was your first creative output today?
Something between saving the whales and brushing my teeth.
And last yesterdays?
Honestly, it’s just been working nonstop on two songs. There is one part in each of them that I can’t quite figure out, the words aren’t hitting, the melody isn’t working, it’s a dance that can drag on and on. I started recording an album of new songs in December, produced by Cate Le Bon and engineered and mixed by Samur Khouja. It’s just what I hoped it would be and I’m so excited about it. Everything’s done but there’s these two big holes, a bridge and a verse I can’t quite figure out, so still working on that.
Are you happy with it?
Not quite yet, one way of figuring out what to do is to just do the thing, meaning, not waiting for something to arise... another is to stop doing the thing, take space from it, see it from a distance, let it arise... and another is to ask yourself “what am I avoiding? What am I pushing away?” That always leads to something fruitful.
Oooh I like that! When do you know something is finished?
When the question of “can I get away with this?” does not arise.
Have you felt a culture shift recently?
Mostly a tug of war, and not entirely a generational one, but one between the people that want to create an inclusive environment where everyone has a seat at the table and the push back from the people that find that totally unacceptable.
Let’s go back to life. Describe your favorite physical space.
An empty room. Ok, that’s a bit extreme. A MOSTLY empty room, with a wall that’s been removed and some moss that grows from outside to inside. Oh, and there’s an eagle that comes and goes as it pleases, and a fridge that makes absolutely no noise and inside there’s a jar of pickles. Oh, that’s a nice space.
Sounds heavenly. Do you enjoy menial jobs, if so, which and why?
I still fantasize about being a botanist’s assistant. Looking for certain species out in the field, a cute basket to keep the tubers in etc. I also dream of being a dried fruit vendor, removing pits and laying the fruit out in the sun in a neat row; this is a very relaxing daydream I’ve had for many years. Menial jobs can be quite empowering as it’s often up to us to either choose to rush through the obvious pain in the ass of them or enjoy the simple suchness of the whole thing. It becomes all about our state of mind. Doing the dishes or washing my clothes in the sink on tour can be a pain in the ass or a lovely calming meditative ritual, up to me! Oh, and booze helps!
I like the idea of laundry as a meditation. What would you make for lunch if I were doing this interview in person?
Boiled ice.
Right. Do you have a hair care, self-care, regime?
I remember being on tour and saying to Jeremy Harris “I’m having a bad hair day” and he immediately replied with “I’m having a bad hair life!” which still cracks me up and I can relate to the sentiment. It’s a crapshoot. I mostly just use a little oil and lots of hats to hide the 14 simultaneous haircuts I have from having a drunk friend cut my hair followed by cutting my own hair in the dark with a fork every few weeks.
Well, you look great. When did you "rst feel connected to the world in a cosmic way?
I stepped on a horned boxfish as a child. It’s a nice fish that burrows into the sand and leaves a little sharp horn sticking out. I stepped on it unknowingly and was poisoned. But it wasn’t the poison that spurned my metaphysical odyssey into the cosmos, it was the expired anti-venom I received! I remember willing the horizon to tilt vertically, imagine that... just snapped my fingers and the ocean stood on end!
Also coming across a freshly stomped on locust in a field. It was huge and it’s guts were flowing out, they were every color of the rainbow, a prism of rubies and emeralds pouring from its poor torso. This may be why I’m so into insects. Wow, I never thought of that! All of this happened in Venezuela and may be a metaphor.
Do you think you have had a past life?
In my tradition (Buddhism) it’s par for the course. Am I 10000% certain I’ve had a past life? Nope, but I do know that regardless of that it can be extremely useful in THIS life. How so? Well, there’s a thing called “mother recognition” and it just means looking at everyone (and I mean everyone, especially the jerk that just cut you o) as if they have at one time been your mother as well as looking at them as if at one time you have been theirs. Dicult, but very practical.
What is something you practice every day?
I meditate and I write every single day. Do I want to? Rarely. But it’s kind of the only thing keeping me from totally curling up into a ball and breaking down. Also the adventure of finding new music, new artists, is still extremely exciting to me!
What is something you have realized only with age?
Oh, good question! Pain and dissatisfaction are often the catalyst for some kind of spiritual awakening. If it comes early in life, that’s considered quite fortunate, but fret not, if you live long enough to see your body turn into a dehydrated potato or see all of those opinions and perspectives that felt like facts in your youth start to collapse (and both of those most certainly will), a reason to practice will emerge. Practice what? Being present, being grateful, being compassionate, practice turning towards your heart again and again.
One of my teachers always says “Knowing yourself is not a defined point, it is a feeling.“ This starts to make a lot more sense as you age.
How much do you interact with social media?
I use it as a bulletin board, “hey, here’s a new book I think is quite good” , or “check out this album!,” now and then a little glimpse into my life at that moment or a little honoring of a friend etc. I never read comments, it feels like none of my business. I love seeing what other artists I admire are up to as well. It’s so nice to see what Rodrigo Amarante or Laurie Anderson or Meredith Monk or Kate Berlant or Whitmore Thomas or Beverly Glenn Copeland or Ryuichi Sakamoto or Adam Green or Isabele Albuquerque or Daniel Higgs or Ssion or Alicia McCarthy or Helado Negro are up to (and yes, just going through my feed here, ha!)
Do you think it is a positive thing?
It’s a delicate dance and of course, I think the general go-to answer anyone would have is that it’s a tool, you can use it to break things or you can use it to fix things, all depending on your intent or level of consciousness at that particular moment. Ooofff, boring answer ain’t it?
Where do you think you will explore next with your music and art?
To quote the great Mary Oliver:
“Don't bother me. I've just
been born.”
At the moment finishing this album but also working on a new book of poems, one of photos, an instrumental album with Noah Georgeson and Gyan Riley, and learning to cook an omelet (after seeing the Julia Child doc!).
How do you end the day?
I pray. It’s my own kinda hybrid prayer. I’ll keep this as vague as possible, that way maybe a little bit might resonate because it’s definitely less weird than it sounds. Also, it’s a little embarrassing and that’s a good thing!! So, I start by sitting or kneeling, taking a few deep breaths, I thank the deities, the wisdom beings, the earth, the sky, I thank the wind, the trees, all of it, just throw it all in there! I apologize to those I’ve hurt or have had ill will towards and imagine embracing them and hope they feel loved and are feeling strength and joy. I think of and try to send love to all those families suering so much (maybe visualizing families in Venezuela, in Tibet, in the Ukraine, and ultimately the whole world) then I do a bit of this and that and that’s it. Do they feel it? Some would say yes, most might say no, but it still cultivates a little bit of gratitude in me and it plants a tiny seed of possible action so it ain’t all for nought!
What is your last thought before you go to sleep?
Well, just when I thought I had made spiritual progress I get a bad haircut and it’s back to the drawing board.
And “thank you” never hurts.
Interview by Hanna Hanra
Photography by Daniel Jack Lyons
Fashion by Julia Ehrlich