Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros journey back in time, taking listeners on a magical trip into a realm of love, hope, and happiness. The music evokes an era when cynicism didn’t course through the veins of pop music. Echoing the Mamas and the Papas, Arcade Fire, Johnny Cash, even Elvis, and it seems like something indie folk rebel Devendra Banhart could really get into. Bohemian-clothed and bearded, the troupe channels the communal sound of the 60s and 70s, all the while making music that is just as retro as it is forward thinking. It’s just that hippy, love-in, commune sort of vibe that might inspire you to take your clothes off and jump into a lake with them.

Alex Ebert and his collective of kindred spirits are intent on bringing love to the world in the form of feel-good sing-alongs. The vocal harmonies are performed with joyous abandon, intertwined with layers of instrumentation. The eleven members play an eclectic mixture of trumpet, pianos, percussion and xylophone and cause the energy to swirl with a well-executed, harmonious blend of folk, blues and rock. This neo-psychedelic folk troupe is becoming known for the jubilant energy they bring to every performance, having mastered the skill of engaging the audience at every opportunity. They have just as much fun playing their songs as the audience does receiving them. Even the most cynical of listeners, might find themselves jumping up and down in response. The band looks like a collection of hippies and vagabonds and certainly inspire a feeling of freedom. Ebert says he has a firm belief in utopia and you can feel it.

mp3: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – 40 Day Dream
mp3: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Home
mp3: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Janglin

The group is led by Alex Ebert, known for his role as vocalist for electro-clash band Ima Robot, formed in the late 90′s and also rooted in L.A. He left Ima Robot in late 2008 to begin Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, named after the messianic figure found in a novel he was writing at the time, who transcends his dismal world by tapping into a form of universal music. As described by Ebert, Sharpe “was sent down to Earth to kinda heal and save mankind… but he kept getting distracted by girls and falling in love.” Ebert met singer Jade Castrinos in Los Angeles, and the two began touring the country with their entourage in a converted school bus during the summer of 2009. Ebert’s vocals are powerful, but it’s the synergy created with Castrinos’ earthy yet angelic voice and boisterous attitude that put the band over the top. The group’s first album, Up from Below, was released this July, and the single “Home” has made its way onto Gossip Girl, Community, and several MTV shows.

To experience the revival, find Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros as they zoom around the country…

Nov 25 – El Macambo Club, Toronto, Ontario
Nov 27 – Lincoln Hall, Chicago, IL
Nov 28 – High Noon Saloon, Madison, WI
Nov 29 – The Varsity Theater, Minneapolis, MN
Dec 1 – Boulder Theater, Boulder, CO
Dec 2 – Sheridan Opera House, Telluride, CO
Dec 4 – The Bell Tower, Pullman, Washington
Dec 5 – Neumos, Seattle, WA
Dec 8 – The Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, British Columbia
Dec 9 – Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR
Dec 10 – WOW Hall, Eugene, OR
Dec 12 – Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, California
Dec 14 – The Mayan, Los Angeles, CA

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 at 7:32 pm and is filed under Folk, Songs, Video. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.