With the release of major-label debut What Will We Be (Warner Bros.), Devendra Banhart proves once again he has the potential to be one of his generation’s major players. His voice, with its careening vibrato and fuse-blowing intensity, sounds something like Marc Bolan’s, but his repertoire may be more all over the map than anyone making records today. He combines a love of arcane folk music with hard-rocking psychedelia and an ability to sing beautifully in English or Spanish, a skill he learned growing up in Caracas, Venezuela. He refers to himself, jokingly, as a “fake hippie,” but he appears to be the real thing, a refreshing return to the revolutionary thinking that once seemed capable of changing the course of human events. Who’s to say it couldn’t happen again? Banhart will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our Q&A with him.
Lucky Dragons
Truly original. Lucky Dragons are a live collaborative experience of the highest order. It was Hecuba that said, “You gotta see Lucky Dragons!” and holy moly is their live show amazing, and holy moly are their albums amazing, and holy moly is their visual art amazing (see Sumi Ink Club), and holy moly are they the most amazing people! I’ve seen them perform in a cave on Angel Island, at the Echo in L.A. and at the 2008 Whitney Biennial; they transformed all three spaces into the Rothko Chapel—but we could touch the paintings.
“Mercy” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/Mercy.mp3
Master Musicians Of Bukkake
Master Musicians Of Bukkake (pictured) is one of the many projects that Sir Richard Bishop (Sun City Girls) is involved in. The name alone warrants awe and respect. Super heavy ritualistic moon-temple ceremony music—amazing! They recently played with the ever-awesome Six Organs Of Admittance; what a show! Thanks, Adam Tullie! Video
Adam Green
I love Adam Green. Since the Moldy Peaches, every one of his songs is a fookin’ gem. (Not supposed to be a pun on his album Gemstones, but it does work—but it’s not a very good one; sorry Adam!) He just finished his new record; Noah Georgeson produced it. I’ve heard bits, and holy shzamamoley, is it good! Dare I say it’s his best yet? I do dare! And his website is amazing. Remember Leisure Suit Larry? I think it just came out in Caracas, but it was peradventure the first “adult themed” video game, a classic iconoclast appropriated by a future classic iconoclast. Perfect!
“Morning After Midnight” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/MorningAfterMidnight.mp3
