Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are coming to Austin, Texas on Wednesday for a sold-out show at Stubb’s BBQ. The Horn, a University of Texas-oriented news blog, recently caught up with ESMZ vocalist Christopher “Crash” Richard.

In the article, titled, “Behind the curtain with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros,” Crash discusses the band’s connection with their fans, the band’s new album and the transformation of the audience at an ESMZ concert.

“The involvement and interaction of the audience is so crucial to all of us because even on an individual level, we all feel that if we are not connecting in that way, then why the hell are we doing this?” he says. “It’s a really great life that we lead, but at the same time, there are days you’re reminded where it’s just not for everyone, so I think that there certainly needs to be a balance for all the effort put in. The involvement of fans and listeners in anything that we have going on is complete fulfillment for us in our endeavors, and it’s that type of interaction that makes the music much bigger than ourselves, you know?”

Read the full interview from The Horn’s Caitlin Wittlif.