The Zolas

The Zolas are breaking through from their cult status as one of Canada’s premier underrated bands to mainstream acceptance with several new developments taking place for them. A booking at the famed Horseshoe Tavern, an upcoming appearance at SXSW 2013, a dynamite current album, and an explosive new video for one of the hottest tracks on the album. Here are the details:
Considering how often music videos attempt to make their vision come alive in the most obscenely over the top ways, it is a rare occurrence for a director to challenge culture, race, and sexuality with any amount of subtleness. Enter production team of Kevan Funk and Benjamin Loeb for The Zolas’ new video for “Escape Artist” which premiered yesterday on CBC Music à http://bit.ly/YXraoN (http://bit.ly/YXraoN)
From The Zolas, Zach Gray: “I was writing about the feeling of having a more vivid version of yourself supressed inside you. There’s a version of us that says yes to everything and seeks out little adventures and has a healthy disregard for dumb rules and every time that person gets close to the skin the other part of us goes woah woah can’t we just chill out tonight? Wouldn’t it be more comfortable to just stay in and download a movie? Kevan and Ben took that vague feeling and told a real story with it that means a lot to me. What I like about this video is that it’s so seamless it tricks me into thinking it was my idea.”


From the Director, Kevan Funk: “The starting point for me when developing a idea for a video is trying to find what conceptually feels like the most honest and engaging articulation of the song’s core thematic elements without just being a literal interpretation of the lyrics. In the case of “Escape Artist”, that process was incredibly enjoyable because Zach really placed his faith in us and essentially gave as total creative control over the video, something which as a filmmaker is very liberating and, I think, allows you to do much more interesting work.”

The Zolas’ album, Ancient Mars (Light Organ Records) is available in vinyl, digital, and CD. The Zolas will be performing at SXSW 2013. - Vivoscene

You know that feeling when you get out of a movie theatre after a great movie and for a split second you think you’ve been somewhere else?

Well, for the indie-pop band The Zolas, from Vancouver, that’s the feeling they hope the audience leaves with after seeing one of their shows. And with their catchy, toe-tapping tracks, that has probably happened.

Their unique sound captures the listener’s attention with songs that have great melodies and a fun and upbeat feel; you can’t help but be drawn in. Zachary Gray, lead singer and guitarist of the band, describes how they aim to incorporate different characteristics to create music that anyone can enjoy.

“We wanted everything to be sort of throbbing and lush and then also minimal at times and icy. We wanted textures and aesthetics,” says Zachary. “We wanted music that filled your ears when you listened to it in your headphones when walking somewhere.”
Bringing their west coast vibe to Toronto, The Zolas stopped by The Great Hall as part of their tour with fellow BC band Hey Ocean! and they’ve been having a great time so far. “It just feels like hanging out with your friends all over Canada,” says Zachary, “which is a dream come true in a way.”

The Zolas are promoting their second album, Ancient Mars, which was just released at the beginning of October. “This album is by far the weirdest and catchiest album we’ve ever done and that’s usually hard to do,” says Zachary. “I’ve never done it before, so we’re pretty happy with it.”

It’s been two years since their debut album Tic Toc Tic, but they used that time to work hard on the new release and came up with a stellar track list full of hits, such as “Knot in my Heart” and “Escape Artist.”

They’ll be touring this album a lot following their Canadian stops and are planning to make their way to the United States and to Europe in the New Year. And, with the idea of another album in the works, we can’t wait to hear what they come up with next! - Faze Magazine

90’s rock music will forever remain in the arms of Kurt Cobain and his band, Nirvana. But there were many other great rock bands in the 90’s: R.E.M., U2, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Oasis. And for those who grew up in the 90’s, there is always a sound, a feeling, whenever one of their old favorite songs from that period of time comes on the air. Nostalgia mixed with sadness, a sense of what was, and what is no longer. There was a raw honesty to many of those songs that still remain their favorites: the haunting questions in ‘How’s It Gonna Be’ by Third Eye Blind, the ache from uncertainty in ’Wonderwall’ by Oasis, the anger and angst in ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ by Nirvana.

And yet, every once in a while, you hear something that almost takes you back there. Something that’s similar, but different . The Zolas new release, Ancient Mars is such an album. Some of their music feels like the soundtrack of childhood, but with different words.

There are shades of Rooney and Oasis in Ancient Mars, especially on the title track of the album. ‘Ancient Mars’ sounds like a dreamy pop song set in the past. The Zolas combination of pop hooks and solid guitar licks, mixed slightly with electronic, sweetness, and despair almost sounds like nostalgia personified–but for what? It is firmly rooted in the present, but somehow calls to the past. Maybe it’s the band’s sincerity. Their raw emotion is in every song, just the way music used to be. Since it’s so difficult to find real emotion or sincerity in rock or pop music these days, anything that hints at this soul-baring truth automatically sounds like the something from yesteryear.

But enough about the past. The Zolas are a rock band from Canada. Ancient Mars is their second album, following 2010′s Tic Toc Tic. This new release is full of slower, thoughtful songs, but that doesn’t take away from their more energetic attempts. ‘Ancient Mars’ is excellent, and ‘Knot in my Heart’ is a fun, faster song as well. It manages to combine guitar, piano, and a reverbed vocal to sound both contemporary, and historically grounded. ‘Escape Artist’ deserves a mention as well, a piano-driven half fast/ half slow song that remains with you long after it has finished.

But The Zolas feel most comfortable in slower jams. ‘Cold Moon’ sounds like it was recorded in an empty bar, way past closing, the singer alone and drunk, missing the one he’s lost. “We’ll meet again beneath the cold, cold moon,” he sings plaintively, even as other instruments intrude into the song, detracting from the singularity of the message, yet adding to the aloneness the song embodies.

In the end, the Zolas’s new album is a sincere attempt at sincerity. It is straightforward and heartfelt, if not a bit indulgent. But the sweetness is there, the heart is there. They dress it up with different instruments, reverb and take-you-by-surprise instrumentals–is that a organ? An harmonica? But beneath everything, the lyrics take you in, and the vocals keep you there. Welcome back sincere rock. We’ve certainly missed you.

Purchase the album on iTunes - Quip

Vancouver duo The Zolas began their musical journey as part of Lotus Child before relaunching themselves in their current guise in 2009. They released their debut album under this formation in 2010 and managed to tickle the lower reaches of the Canadian chart with a single last year, so it's likely they'll already be on many people's musical radar, but with second album 'Ancient Mars' due for a UK release on December 3rd (it'll be out a few weeks earlier in their homeland) they could well snare a few more fans. The steady snowball effect of word-of-mouth and internet publicity has already seen new single 'Knot In My Heart' take blogland by storm and ensured they reached the summit of the Hypem chart. So word is spreading fast and the branches of the Zolas tree are beginning to reach out a little further than their native country.

With an album called 'Ancient Mars' on the way you wouldn't be dumbstruck to know that there's an element of prog to what this pair do (they describe themselves as "piano prog-pop") but this single carries more of the hallmarks of quirky alt-pop than sprawling progressive showmanship. Although the beginning lures you into thinking they're about to embark on a space-rock voyage, by the time the verse sets in you realise they're in much more familiar territory. 'Knot In My Heart' does well in the catchy chorus stakes, and this will be what's behind the love currently being strewn in their direction. It'll be interesting to hear the album and find out if these likeable experimental pop songs are where they're at or whether this is just one cog in a much bigger machine. Still, there's plenty of appeal here and if you like Ben Folds then this could be right up your street. - The Sound Of Confusion

Oh, Canada.

We're almost tired of saying: Clash 4 Canada - IDST. The sheer volume of fantastic music coming our of the Northern nation of late is just so damn impressive, so intoxicating that it becomes impossible to keep Canadian acts away from Track of the Day.

So it should come as no surprise to learn that The Zolas are from Canada. In fact, the band are somewhat of a ready made home favourite in their homeland due to 50% of the group having previously operated in Lotus Child. New album 'Ancient Mars' gets shipped over on December 3rd.

Ahead of this, The Zolas have unveiled new track 'Knot In My Heart' as an attempt to show fans, critics and intrigued passers by where their head is at. Matching bubblegum melodies to sharp-as-a-tack lyrics, the sweet / sour dichotomy sits in a well worn lineage.

Yet The Zolas still feel fresh. Perhaps it's the method of delivery, or maybe it's the arrangement - the oblique nods towards psychedelia recall the Elephant 6 collective, even the more straight ahead work from of Montreal songwriter Kevin Barnes. Hell, those piano chords sit halfway between Paul McCartney and Ben Folds with 'Knot In my Heart' having a bookish, poindexter charm which you'll either love or hate. - Clash