Hometown: Fort Collins, CO
Age: George is 30 (Brecken is 6)
Occupation: Sales
Hobbies/Interests: “We love playing guitar, soccer and chess together.”
When and how did you discover Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros?
“My wife introduced me to them after she fell in love with Home.”
George and Brecken Gaede
How has ESMZ influenced your life?
“Our wedding parties walked down the aisle at our wedding to Home. They are a staple in our musical diet. My wife also has a tattoo of three split tailed swallows, representing the three of us, and the words ‘Home is Wherever I’m With You.'”
How many times have you seen ESMZ live?
“My wife and I have seen them four times. The Ogden, Red Rocks, Chive Fest and Arise Festival. Arise was Brecken’s first ESMZ show.
Describe your experience at Arise Festival this summer and what it was like to have your son sing a verse in I Don’t Wanna Pray. How long were you two planning on doing this?
“As a family, we sing along to ESMZ all the time. We particularly love the studio session of I Don’t Wanna Pray, when Alex has the band sings their verses. Then we heard the song live for the first time at Red Rocks. Alex invited someone from the audience to sing a verse, and that night I wrote a verse for my wife. One year later, we went to Chive Fest and I insisted we get close to the front. When they played I Don’t Wanna Pray, I was praying I’d get a chance to sing to my wife. When Alex asked the crowed if anyone had a verse, I shot my head up and he passed the mic back to me. I dedicated the verse to the love of my life, and then sang: ‘I don’t wanna pray to anybodies, anybodies goddess but my own, because mine’s got a tattoo, that says home is wherever I’m with you, and now in this world I’ll never be alone.’ The crowed erupted in cheers. It was one of the best moments of my life — to express a grand gesture of love to the woman who has my heart.
So another year passes and we get tickets to Arise, for Brecken’s first show. When we arrived early at the main stage, we were able to get front row. At this point, I told Brecken that he might get to sing a verse if he raises his hand. I asked which verse he wanted to sing, and we decided on one of the verses from the studio session. When the time came, and Alex asked who had a verse, I pointed to my son and Alex held the mic for him. He sang, ‘Well I’ve seen her in the ocean, and I felt her in the breeze, but I don’t feel the need, to get down on my knees, and pray for everything that I believe.’
Like father like son — 1 year apart, we both got to have a wonderful experience. Thanks to the willingness for audience collaboration by the band.”
What are your favorite ESMZ song(s)?
Home, Man on Fire, That’s What’s Up, I Don’t Wanna Pray and 40 Day Dream
We would love to hear your story and what Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros means to you. Visit janglinsouls.com/storytime to tell us your story.