No More Strangers Friday night youth group worship service @ Goody. Ritual performances by Christian Marx, Gross Xmas and Glass Armonica.

Zack and Tom are The Zolas, one of Vancouver’s newest upstart bands. Their new debut record is called Tic Toc Tic.

The Zolas make piano-driven pop. Some have compared them to currently-crazy 90s superstars like Ben Folds and Fiona Apple. (Damn! Remember them?)

Yes, they all use pianos, but, other than that, I don’t really agree with the comparison–but it is a nice place to start a conversation.

I chatted with Zack and Tom as they wandered around the mean city streets of Toronto. And I still have no idea what the band’s name is about.

The Zolas on the interview show

The Zolas “You’re So Cool” (This track namechecks the Biltmore! One of the best tracks on the album.)

Ben Folds “Bitches Ain’t Shit” (NOTE: This song is a slow starter. Further proof that I am just as crazy as Ben and Fiona, here is Ben Folds covering Dr. DRE.  Enjoy.)

The Zolas will be at The Vogue, December 18th. See you there.

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Vancouver is a city full of contrasts. Some of the most stunning natural beauty sits right beside a burgeoning metropolis with one of the most notorious slums in North America. Metal band Jakartah are a product of a city known just as much for its salmon as its heroine. They named the band after another city equally known for its crime.

Jakartah’s video for their song “1000 Miles Connects You and Me” wasn’t afraid to depict the realities of rampant drug use in the downtown east side, so it has been banned by MuchMusic . Apparently Vancouver doesn’t want the rest of the world to see the ugly side of this beautiful city so close to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Ah, local bands… I haven’t done a lot of interviews with local bands. There is a reason for this. Funnier than anything said in the actual interview with the guys from Jakartah is the story behind trying to get the guys to sit down for a chat. In short, I became good phone-friends with Richie’s ex-girlfriend because I would call her every week trying to reach Richie. It was a particularly sad exchange when his ex tearfully told me that Richie and she had broken up and now there would be no reason for me and her to chat anymore.

Contrary to popular belief, Jakartah are not split up. After a brief hiatus, they are back together.

Come back next week, for our chat with anti-folk singer and comic book artist Jeffrey Lewis.

Jakartah on the interview show

Jakartah – Hawaii Burns at Sunrise

Jakartah – A Thousand Miles Connects You to Me