Devendra is anything but typical. Listening to Devendra Bannhart’s music you notice a Latin and Spanish flavored accent supported with the classical guitar, an eccentric originality of melodies, and something you would attempt to encapsulate in the genre folk but which you would fail miserably trying. You would also note a “mother nature” style of lyrics (including many references to little boys and the earth) that only an ingeniously creative and “different” kind of guy could formulate. And you would expect this style of music to be reflected by his appearance—to which you would not be let down. With a scarf wrapped loosely over his head and long dark hair draping out of it with a thick beard covering half his face and ragged jeans and a cheap t-shirt, you would guess Devendra to be something like a despondent and war weary Kosovo refugee which we would see spotlighted on TV from the result of a presidents attempt to steer the gleaming eyes off him and his problems. However, from talking to him and asking him a few questions, an interested yet laid back demeanor is seen. From taking the time to draw artsy designs on various articles of clothing (including a handkerchief) that his fans give him wanting an autograph, to joking with the crowd by playing the first few notes from one of his more popular songs and then exclaiming, “no, we’re not playing that one”, Devendra’s personality alone makes you glad you spent the 14 dollars to see him.

The show took place at Walter’s on Washington, a small venue that had no problem holding the 50 to 60 fans that attended. It commenced with a band straight out of an 8-year-old kids nightmare, including strange grownups dressed as a wolf, peacock, and freaky looking cats with masks, body paint and everything you need to make an indelible impression on not just a kids mind. They called themselves Bunny Brains and had a sound easily forgotten over their stage presence, which included much yelling and screaming (or meowing and howling?) from its members. They’re sound was driven by rhythmic guitars that were at best interesting, however, you could not prevent from wishing you arrived later after the circus had finished it’s act.

And finally it was time for what we all came for. After Bunny Brains had cleared their act, Devendra slowly tore away from his conversations with fans and walked to the stage. He started the show off with a few intimate and slow songs which included “Now That I Know” and “Wake Up Little Spider”, but quickly stepped up the pace with songs requiring the whole band, which was composed of a backup singer with an acoustic guitar to his right, another backup vocals playing lead to his left, and the drummer right behind him who you would think would be ignored for most of the show do to the lack of drums on his tracks. Yet with upbeat songs requiring percussion, fans had no problem dancing, and singing along to his music impervious to the others around them.