Banhart cites Axl Rose, Kurt Cobain, Mick Jagger, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and Ali Farka Toure as his inspirations to begin singing.
Banhart and Gira compiled an album from Banhart's recordings,[REF] and in 2002, Oh Me Oh My, which was made up of short fragments,[REF] was published by Young God Records and received favorable reviews [REF].