I worked at a hotel the band were staying at for a week or so during the early Painted Ruins promotion. Ed was always alone hanging out near the lobby, kind of just chilling casually, wearing cargo shorts and flip flops, sitting at the bar (not excessively drinking alcohol mind you) looking through his phone. And I mean this in the nicest way, but he is by far the only one of my heroes that didn't intimidate me at all to talk to. He was super awkward, polite, just the absolute nicest, most genuine person I've ever met in my entire life. The first thing he said to me when I told him I love his band was a giddy "Aww man awesome! Do you want to come to the show??" and immediately got my info, put me on the list +1 for the sold out show. We continued to talk the rest of the week, and he was always in the moment, just chilling, as if he literally had nothing else to do–in the midst of the Painted Ruins tour kick off week. No one observing this person–moping around in cargo shorts and flip flops–would think in a million years that he is pretty much a legendary indie rock star. He also gave me his phone number on a napkin and then apologized because he realized that I'm not gay, but also seemed embarrassed as if I were about to have some kind of homophobic reaction. But I assured him I've never been more flattered in my life, and we laughed it off. So goofy. lol I really shouldn't be telling this story, but I feel like it really illustrates how down to earth the man is. I've praised a ton of my favorite artists in person, but I'll never forget how genuinely excited and surprised Ed Droste seemed when I told him Shields was one of my most cherished albums, as if I made his entire week or something. From my experience, I don't think it's fair to paint him as a typical jaded frontman withdrawn from the band. I don't get the sense that he's 'over' Grizzly Bear, as he's eager and gracious to talk about their work, he just seems shy and socially anxious in general. For someone that sweet and down to earth, it's not hard to see how years of touring and promoting could wear him down a bit.