Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros are an American indie-folk group from Los Angeles, active since 2005. Their sound is associated with folk rock, indie folk, neo-psychedelia, rock and stomp and holler.

Formation and concept

The group is created in Los Angeles in 2005 by Alex Ebert, who is also the vocalist of the power-pop group Ima Robot. After a breakup, moving out of his home and entering a 12-step addiction programme, he begins developing a story around a messianic character called Edward Sharpe. Ebert describes Sharpe as a figure sent to Earth to heal and save humanity, but one who keeps getting distracted by girls and falling in love.

Ebert later meets singer Jade Castrinos in Los Angeles, and the project develops into Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. In the summer of 2009, Ebert and Castrinos tour the United States with a larger group of musicians on a big white school bus.

Recording and early performances

The band’s first full-length album, Up from Below, is released in 2009 on Vagrant Records. The record appears digitally in July and physically shortly afterwards. The group’s first show as a full band takes place at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, California, in July 2007.

Members

The line-up includes Jade Castrinos, Josh Collazo, Alexander Ebert, Seth Ford-Young, Tyler James, Orpheo McCord and Tay Strathairn. Ebert handles vocals, guitar, percussion and piano. Castrinos contributes vocals and guitar and is listed as a past member from 2009 to 2013. Other members named in the group’s wider line-up include Nico Aglietti, Stewart Cole, Aaron Older, Nora Kirkpatrick, Christian Letts, Chris Richard, Anna Bulbrook, Aaron Embry, Ryan Richter and Michael Farfel, with roles ranging from guitar and keyboards to percussion, violin, accordion, announcing and management.

Notable song

The song “Home” reaches number 15 in the 2009 Australian Triple J Hottest 100, a major music poll.