Nick Zammuto is a Vermont-based composer, vocalist, and musician known for his work as half of the collage-pop duo
the Books, as well as his own eponymous indie electronic group. Prior to
the Books' formation,
Zammuto began releasing computer- and guitar-based experimental music under his surname, later expanding the project into a full-fledged electronic art-pop band. A far cry from the abstract electronics of early solo efforts like 2000's Willscher, recordings like 2012's
Zammuto were filled with complex, hooky arrangements and trippy vocals. Apart from his group,
Zammuto ventured into film soundtracks with 2018's We the Animals.
Zammuto began releasing experimental music starting with 1998 triple CD-R Solutiore of Stareau, followed by the 2000 full-length Willscher. Both were atmospheric, hypnotic, and glitchy. He formed
the Books with
Paul de Jong, as the two shared the same New York City apartment building, and they released their debut,
Thought for Food, to wide acclaim in 2002. Combining acoustic instrumentation with sophisticated electronic arrangements and quirky samples, the duo were one of the most distinctive indie electronic groups of the 2000s, and all four of their albums were showered with praise. Over time, playing with
the Books encouraged
Zammuto to branch out and incorporate live instrumentation into his own material. After a stopgap to concentrate on
the Books' final album, 2010's
The Way Out,
Zammuto returned with a self-titled album for Temporary Residence. For 2012's
Zammuto, he incorporated a four-piece rock setup:
Zammuto played guitar supported by his bassist brother, Mikey, drummer
Sean Dixon, and multi-instrumentalist
Gene Back. The album received much critical acclaim, and the band spent much of the year touring with acts like
Gotye,
Explosions in the Sky, and
Lymbyc Systym. The group followed in 2014 with
Anchor, a more spacious effort that included guest vocals from
Snowblink singer
Daniela Gesundheit. An EP titled Veryone followed in 2016. In 2018,
Nick composed the score to the American drama film We the Animals, directed by Jeremiah Zager. ~ Jason Lymangrover