Not all hippies start jam bands, only the evil ones do.
Every day a new star is born. Charismatic, charming, talented—singer
Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros has the qualities
that make a star, and after seeing the band's performance at Bowery
Ballroom on Tuesday night, it shouldn't take long before that happens.
The former frontman of Ima Robot found his musical calling after some rough times, and embraced his inner hippie creating the fictional character of Edward Sharpe, a messianic figure that according to Ebert, Sharpe "was sent down to Earth to kinda heal and save mankind...but he kept getting distracted by girls and falling in love."
Shortly after the large ensemble band was formed under the name Edwarde Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. With that name, Ebert will have to get used to being referred to as Edward Sharpe, but like Bowie's Ziggy Stardust before him, it should be a character he can embrace as alter-ego.
On stage, with long hair, a beard and wearing white pants and an open white sports jacket (revealing his bare chest), Ebert had the presence of the messianic figure that he created for himself. Energetic and uplifting, the songs shed an overwhelming joy over the sold out Bowery Ballroom. The normally motionless New York City crowd fell into a frenzy of dancing. Even my normally arms-crossed-and-head-bopping-self got sucked into the whirlwind of fun for the entirety of the set, arriving with very little previous knowledge of the band.
I had discovered the band a couple months ago via their Daytrotter session, and although the happy, southern gospel-influenced tunes (think of a more folksy Polyphonic Spree without the choir) were pleasant, I wasn't totally won over upon first listen, but with my interest perked I decided to catch them live.
It's safe to say that the recordings are good, but they do no justice for the band. Their whistling-heavy set finale "Home"—a song now popping up everywhere—was the highlight of the night, with Ebert and Jade Castrinos sharing a perfect vocal exchange, while Ebert spent much of the song from within the worshiping crowd. My other highlight from the night came midway through the set was the darker, mood-changing "Black Water" which revealed a different side of the band and really emphasized the vocal strength of Ebert.
At times reminding me of Joe Cocker, Ebert is an incredible front man gifted in the art of commanding a crowd. It's a power the best front men have and a gift that makes for a star.
Fellow LA bands Local Natives and Fools Gold both played exceptional sets in their roles as openers. Local Natives sounded a bit like a more rock-infused Fleet Foxes, while Fools Gold felt like a Latin-heavy !!! (Chk-Chk-Chk). Expect to hear a lot more about them soon.
The three bands will continue their tour tonight at Brooklyn's Music Hall of Williamsburg.
