Zachary Gray

Zachary Grey is a fictional character in the young adult novels of Madeleine L'Engle. He appears in four novels, and is mentioned in at least one more.

Character

Zachary, often called Zach, is a wealthy young man from Los Angeles, California, with parents who show little love for their son or each other, and who seem unable to exert any influence on their son's behavior. Zach is described as having "velvety black" hair, very pale skin, and "steel-grey" eyes. He is considered "gorgeous" by Vicky Austin and is taller than Polly O'Keefe, who considers herself "too tall." Intelligent but erratic in behavior, Zach is "kicked out" of numerous prestigious schools (namely for smoking in the bathroom, cheating as an art form and for poor grades), but demonstrates that he will learn a great deal on a subject that interests him, particularly anthropology. Zach suffers from a heart condition, and is often reckless and self-destructive, but at other times seeks desperately to live. Similarly, he is torn between cynical self-interest and more altruistic desires. Zach pursues relationships with L'Engle protagonists Vicky Austin and later Polly O'Keefe, apparently seeking emotional rescue. In his introductory appearance, he frequently sings "The Merry Minuet" by Sheldon Harnick, a song of black humor and global annihilation. Donald R. Hettinga says of Zachary at this stage that he "looks at human suffering and sees no hope." When his mother dies, he and his father have her body preserved through cryonics in lieu of a "pie in the sky" hope of resurrection. According to Carole F. Chase's study of L'Engle's work, L'Engle considered Zachary to be "a work in progress who will ultimately be redeemed."

The Zolas

The Zolas are a Canadian indie rock band based in Vancouver, British Columbia. They are signed to Light Organ Records. The core of the band is duo Zachary Gray (vocals/guitar) and Tom Dobrzanski (piano), with other musicians supporting them live and on record.

History

2009-2011: Formation and Tic Toc Tic

Zachary Gray and Tom Dobrzanski were previously part of the band Lotus Child, from 2003 to 2008. Gray is the son of writer and composer John MacLachlan Gray.

The Zolas' debut album, Tic Toc Tic, was released in November 2009. The album was produced by Howard Redekopp, who has worked with The New Pornographers and Tegan and Sara. The album was recorded for most part in a studio Dobrzanski constructed in his parents' basement while he was studying at the University of British Columbia. Other Vancouver bands such as Said the Whale and Hey Ocean! have also recorded there. The song "The Great Collapse" has been in rotation on CBC Radio 3.

Five tracks from 'Tic Toc Tic' have been heavily rotated on XM satellite radio station The Verge ("The Great Collapse", "You're Too Cool", "Body Ash", "No Talking", and "Marlaina Kamikaze"). Despite being a relative newcomer, The Zolas were the 4th-most heavily tracked band on the Verge for the first half of 2010. The Zolas were also nominated for Album of the Year at The Verge XM Awards in 2011.