“This song is inspired by Disney’s Mulan, which I just saw on a plane. I was pretty impressed by Mulan,” said Zachary Gray without a hint of sarcasm. “She’s like the best Disney princess, since she’s not actually a princess,” he reasoned. New York, meet The Zolas.
Celebrating their first show in the big juicy apple, the witty Vancouver rockers found themselves amidst a cozy little cult that knew every one of their songs. This made Rockwood’s you’ll-probably-get-hit-with-a-cymbal level of intimacy quite the treat. Armed with velvety vocals and their better-than-studio sound, the Zolas had the whole room swooning for songs like “Ancient Mars,” “Fell in Love With New York,” and “Strange Girl.”
The Zolas
The Zolas
The Zolas
“That’s really good,” exclaimed Gray, as fans clapped out a specific rhythm by heart. “Normally I have to distribute some kind of brochure,” he laughed.
The Zolas
Hit after hit, the Zolas multitasked their way to a flawless mix. At one point, Gray was even using the head of his guitar – which he was still playing – to fire off syncopated vocal effects on his sampler. Damn.
The Zolas
The Zolas
“Seeing me dazzle is a way of life,” they sang, capturing exactly how good it feels to be a Zolas fan. When they snuck into the first chords of “Escape Artist,” it was like we were all in on a terrific secret. And the thrill didn’t fade.
The Zolas
Article: Olivia Isenhart
