Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros were an American indie folk band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2007. The group was founded by lead singer Alex Ebert and included a rotating lineup of up to 12 people. They are best known for their 2009 single “Home” which became a sleeper hit after being featured in a commercial. The band released four studio albums before announcing an indefinite hiatus in 2019.
How did Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros get started?
Alex Ebert was previously the lead singer of the rock band Ima Robot. After dealing with addiction and going through rehab, Ebert adopted a new persona and approach to music. He took on the name Edward Sharpe which represented a messianic figure to him. Ebert met Jade Castrinos in 2007 and they began writing music together. They recruited a number of other musicians through connections in the LA music scene to form a collaborative group rather than a traditional band.
The name “Magnetic Zeros” was chosen to reflect the chaos and volatility of the group. With up to 12 contributors at any time, the lineup was intended to be fluid. The only consistent members were Ebert and Castrinos. Other notable long-term contributors included Stewart Cole, Josh Collazo, Orpheo McCord, Nora Kirkpatrick, and Christian Letts.
What was Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros’ musical style?
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros played in an indie folk, revivalist style. Their music featured retro instrumentation like accordion, piano, brass horns, and acoustic guitar mixed with modern indie sensibilities. The songs had an earnest, raw quality with catchy melodies and communal singalong choruses.
The band drew comparisons to 1960s and 70s acts like The Mamas & the Papas, Bob Dylan, The Band, and Simon & Garfunkel. Their sound was a reaction against the polish and electronic effects that had become popular in 2000s indie music.
What are Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros’ most popular songs?
Here are some of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros’ biggest hits:
- “Home” – The debut single from the band’s first album Up From Below. It became a sleeper hit after being featured in a commercial for the 2009 comedy film I Love You, Man.
- “Janglin'” – Another popular track from Up From Below. It exemplified the band’s eclectic, revivalist sound.
- “No Love Like Yours” – The lead single from the band’s self-titled second album released in 2010.
- “Man on Fire” – The opening track and lead single from the 2013 album Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. It was their first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
- “Better Days” – The closing track from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. It became one of the band’s signature songs.
What were Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros’ albums?
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros released four studio albums from 2009 to 2013:
| Album | Release Date |
|---|---|
| Up From Below | July 7, 2009 |
| Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros | July 13, 2010 |
| Here | May 29, 2012 |
| Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros | July 23, 2013 |
Their 2009 debut Up From Below was their breakthrough, going gold in the US and featuring their breakout hit “Home”. Their eponymous second album reached number 12 on the Billboard 200. Here and their third self-titled album expanded their sound but didn’t replicate the success of the first two records.
How did Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros gain popularity?
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros gained traction in the indie music scene around Los Angeles in their early days. Their reputation grew through their lively, communal concerts both locally and at festivals like Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo.
However, their big break came when “Home” was chosen for the soundtrack of the film I Love You, Man in 2009. Though not originally released as a single, the song’s inclusion in the popular comedy exposed it to mainstream audiences. After it was released as a single, “Home” peaked at number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The band made high profile TV appearances on David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel, and Conan. Their fame grew internationally as they toured Europe and Australia extensively. They performed at large venues and festivals through 2013. However, lineup instability and waning popularity led them to stop actively touring after that.
Why did Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros go on hiatus?
In 2019, frontman Alex Ebert announced that Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros were going on an indefinite hiatus. Several factors contributed to this decision:
- Departures of key band members – Between 2009 and 2014, many of the musicians who contributed to the band early on left to pursue other projects.
- Declining popularity – After the breakout success of Up From Below, their albums sold progressively fewer copies as mainstream tastes moved on.
- Exhaustion – The communal, touring lifestyle took a toll on the constantly shifting lineup.
- Ebert’s solo work – Ebert wanted to devote more time to his solo career and film scoring work.
The lack of a consistent lineup and evolving musical interests of the collaborators led Ebert to put Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros on hold. However, he didn’t rule out potentially reviving the project someday.
What are the band members up to now?
Here’s a look at what Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros members have been working on since their hiatus began in 2014:
Alex Ebert
- Released solo albums – Ebert has put out two solo records, Alexander in 2011 and Ode to Loud in 2017
- Film/TV scoring – He composed music for the films A Most Violent Year, Pete’s Dragon, and Don’t Look Up
- Producing – Ebert produced albums/songs for other artists including Grupo Fantasma, Julian Casablancas, and Blake Mills
Jade Castrinos
- Edward Sharpe guest vocals – Castrinos continued to contribute vocals to Edward Sharpe albums after stepping back from touring
- Solo work – She has released solo material including the 2021 album Alex
- Collaborations – Castrinos has guested on songs with Arcade Fire, Bombay Bicycle Club, and others
Stewart Cole
- Other bands – Cole has played with Wild Belle, Leslie Odom Jr., and Preservation Hall Jazz Band
- Production work – He has done production for Katie Herzig, Wild Belle, and Terra Naomi
Other past members like Nora Kirkpatrick, Orpheo McCord, and Christian Letts have worked on various recording and touring projects over the years as working musicians.
Could Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros reunite?
Though Alex Ebert initially said the hiatus was indefinite, there is still a possibility Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros could revive the project someday. Some promising signs:
- Nostalgia tours – Many bands have reformed to capitalize on nostalgia and play their old hits to loyal fanbases.
- 10 year anniversary – 2022 marked the 10th anniversary of the release of their hit album Here, which could provide an incentive to celebrate with a reunion.
- Solo shows – Ebert has occasionally played small solo shows in recent years, suggesting he still has interest in performing.
- Availability – With the core songwriting duo of Ebert and Castrinos still active musically, a reunion is feasible.
However, Ebert seems content with his solo career at the moment. Unless he gets the itch to reunite the communal folk collective, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros’ hiatus may continue indefinitely.
Conclusion
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros were a breakout indie folk success story of the late 2000s and early 2010s. Their revivalist, communal music earned them a hit with “Home” and several acclaimed albums. However, lineup instability and declining popularity led them to disband in 2014.
Frontman Alex Ebert continues his solo career while other members have pursued their own projects. A future Edward Sharpe revival is not out of the question, but seems unlikely given Ebert’s focus. The band’s run will be remembered fondly as a product of a specific indie folk moment powered by their infectious live energy.