Jade Castrinos, the accomplished American singer-songwriter and guitarist, is most widely recognised as a founding member of the popular folk-rock collective, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, Castrinos played an instrumental role in co-writing and lending her distinctive vocals to the band's multi-platinum selling hit, 'Home'. Her departure from the group in 2014, amidst public disagreement over the circumstances, marked a pivotal moment in her career.
Early Beginnings And Rise To Prominence
Castrinos' early life was steeped in music; her father, a rock musician, provided her with a formative introduction to live performance, as she spent her teenage years performing in his rock band. This foundational experience honed her skills and passion for music before she relocated to Los Angeles, a city renowned for its vibrant indie and arts communities.
Her ascent to fame began in 2007, when she encountered fellow singer-songwriter Alex Ebert at a downtown Los Angeles bar. This serendipitous meeting led directly to the formation of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, a collective that would soon achieve international acclaim. The band launched their debut album, 'Up from Below', in 2009, featuring 'Home' – a captivating duet co-written and performed by Castrinos and Ebert, which swiftly became their signature and breakthrough track.
Success With Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
'Home' was officially released as a single in January 2010. It achieved considerable commercial success, peaking at number 7 in France, number 25 on the US Billboard Alternative Songs chart, and an impressive number 5 on the UK Indie chart. The song was subsequently certified Platinum in the United States and Australia, and notably achieved 2x Platinum status in the United Kingdom. During their most successful period, Castrinos was a central and unmistakable voice within Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, contributing to subsequent albums such as 'Here' (2012) and their self-titled record (2013).
The Controversial Departure From The Band
In June 2014, fans observed Castrinos' absence from the band's performance at the Shaky Knees Music Festival in Atlanta. Shortly thereafter, she posted on Instagram, "They voted me off of tour a week before they left, via email." She highlighted her seven years of dedication to writing and singing with the band, concluding her post with a poignant "Lol."
The band, however, disputed her account. Alex Ebert, in a now-deleted Facebook post, stated, "We did not feel right doing this tour with Jade." In 2015, the band publicly affirmed on X (formerly Twitter): "You should know Jade quit. We didn't kick her out. We asked her to take off one tour. So she quit and told you she was booted." The specific reasons behind her departure were never unequivocally confirmed by either party. Ultimately, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros disbanded entirely in 2016.
Jade Castrinos And Alex Ebert: A Musical And Romantic Connection
Alex Ebert and Jade Castrinos shared a romantic relationship during the formative years of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Many of the group's songs are widely believed to have drawn inspiration from their personal connection, most notably their collaborative composition, 'Home'. The two are no longer romantically involved.
Post-Band Career And Current Status
Following her departure from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Castrinos continued to pursue her passion for music. In 2015, she collaborated with Treehouse on the track 'When I Saw You'.
Her most notable return to the public eye occurred in 2019. She featured as herself in Andrew Slater's documentary, 'Echo in the Canyon', a film exploring the influential 1960s Laurel Canyon music scene. She also provided the lead vocal on the documentary's soundtrack opening track – a cover of The Mamas and the Papas' 'Go Where You Wanna Go', recorded in collaboration with Jakob Dylan. In May 2019, Castrinos and Dylan performed this song, alongside 'Dedicated to the One I Love', on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. The 'Echo in the Canyon' soundtrack was officially released on 24th May 2019 via BMG.
As of late 2026, Jade Castrinos remains alive. She has maintained a notably low public profile since her appearances related to 'Echo in the Canyon' in 2019. There have been no new album releases, major interviews, or widely reported public activities from her. Castrinos is also currently inactive on Instagram.
Financial Standing
Jade Castrinos' precise net worth has not been publicly verified. Her income streams have historically included:
- Tour revenue and merchandise sales from her time with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.
- Songwriting royalties from 'Home', a track certified multi-platinum in several regions.
- Credits for soundtrack contributions and performance work, including her involvement in 'Echo in the Canyon' (2019).
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions regarding Jade Castrinos:
- What were the circumstances of Jade Castrinos' departure from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros? In June 2014, Castrinos posted on Instagram claiming the band had 'voted her off' the tour via email a week before it began. The band, however, disputed this, stating she quit after they requested she sit out one tour.
- Did Jade Castrinos and Alex Ebert have a romantic relationship? Yes, they were romantically involved when the band was formed and co-wrote 'Home' together.
- What were the specific reasons for Jade Castrinos' departure from Edward Sharpe? The exact reasons were never publicly confirmed by either party. Alex Ebert only stated that the band "did not feel right doing this tour with Jade."
- Are Jade Castrinos and Alex Ebert still together? No, they are no longer romantically involved. Castrinos' current relationship status remains unconfirmed.
- Is Jade Castrinos currently alive? Yes, as of 2026, Jade Castrinos is alive and has made sporadic music appearances since leaving Edward Sharpe.
- Does Jade Castrinos have children? No reliable sources have confirmed whether Jade Castrinos has children.
- Has Jade Castrinos ever been confirmed to have a disability? No reliable sources have confirmed claims of a disability, despite online circulation of such rumours.
- What is Jade Castrinos' Instagram handle? Castrinos has not publicly confirmed an active, verified Instagram account since deactivating her previous one.