Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros formed in Los Angeles in 2007. Lead vocalist Alex Ebert leads the band, with a revolving lineup of up to 12 people. The musical collective began as a collaboration between Ebert and singer Jade Castrinos. The band's name and Ebert's live persona are based on a messianic figure named Edward Sharpe, from a story he wrote. The band's sound has elements of folk, gospel, roots rock and psychedelic music. Their third release is self-titled, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.