Q&A: Edward
Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Happy-go-lucky hippies Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
have hit a high note in their career. Formed in 2007 by frontman Alex Ebert,
the band broke onto the indie music scene with their hit “Home.” The sprawling
Californian group has released two albums, 2009’s Up From Below and
2012’s Here, on Rough Trade records and has a third, self-titled LP set
to drop on July 23rd. The band’s twelve members, currently on yet
another epic tour, travel on a Craigslist-sourced bus driven by a rap artist
dubbed Corn Fed.
We spoke to guitarist/vocalist Christian Letts, who was with
the band from the very beginning.
Q: You’ve known Alex for most of your life. Tell me
about your relationship with him and how you two came to be playing music
together.
A: I moved from London
to L.A. when we
were 3 or 4 and we went to preschool together. We were always drawing together
or playing on the same soccer team. We’ve been mates forever; brothers, really.
Six-and-half years ago, Alex got an idea and started working
out a record with Jade [Castrinos]. I came over to lay out guitar on “Home” and
“40 Day Dream.” We booked a show without having a full band. We had a couple of
weeks and started calling all our friends until it became this bigger
orchestra.
It’s funny how it all works out. I’m really proud of what we
have. I’ve very grateful to have been friends with Alex for this long and to
have been creating together for this long. It’s a blessing.
Q: Tell me about the band’s relationship with your
fans. It seems like your shows are more of a shared experience for all rather
than a performance. There’s not a “We’re the celebrities and you shall adore
us” attitude.
A: Not at all. The biggest thing for us is breaking
down that wall. When we do a show, it’s 50-50. Everyone is responsible for
creating what the evening is going to be. It’s never been “We’re the band. You
guys shut up and watch us.”
Q: Most of your songs are upbeat and have positive
messages. Do you ever have days when you just don’t want to go onstage and sing
about love and happiness again? If so, how do you get back into an optimistic
mindset?
A: Some songs are dark. I think we’ve done well with
balancing. There are times when you feel like, “Fuck, man,” because you’re sick
or something else is going on in your life that makes you feel like you’re not
there. But then you get onstage and by hit one you’re enjoying yourself again.
The gratitude brings you back.
Q: For those of us who haven’t had the experience of
touring with a band, to what would you compare the dynamic? Summer camp? A
blended family?
A: Definitely a family. It’s not worth it if you
don’t love everyone, especially since we spend all our time on the fucking bus
together. Sometimes I feel like I’m missing out on things, like my mother’s
birthday, or being away from my fiancée, but my family is very understanding.
Being able to play shows and be part of something positive—I love that. It’s
everything all at once.
Q: Do you get much private time on the road with that
many people around? Are you ever allowed to have the bus to yourself?
A: No, you can’t have the bus to yourself! We all
have bikes, so we use those to take adventures if we need to get away.
Q: Do you feel like you are on a spiritual mission as
well as a musical one?
A: Personally, I’m always on that mission and trying
to define what spirituality means to me. This band has helped me with that.
Q: What can listeners anticipate for your third
album?
A: We are a tricky band to try to describe. We sound
like Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, which is fucking awesome. Sonically,
it’s our biggest album. It’s very rambunctious.
Q: Do you feel your shows are better suited to
outdoor venues and festivals as opposed to clubs? Do you have a preference?
A: I think we are good at adapting to either. It is
equally great to be playing outside at a festival or to be in a small club of
250 people and be really fucking sweaty.
