The Books - Biography
The Books, comprised of multi-instrumentalists Nick Zammuto and Paul de Jong, were living in the same New York apartment building when they were introduced to one another by a mutual friend. Although their backgrounds were fairly different (de Jong is a Dutch cellist whereas Zammuto studied chemistry and visual art before working as an art-conservator) the two bonded over their shared love of found sound and avant-garde music. The Books’ signature sound is built around collages of found sounds, spoken dialogue, sung vocals, Zammuto’s guitar and de Jong’s violin. The group loops, samples, and chops up their self-made sounds and arranges them into a unique, beautiful cacophony. After completing some initial demos, the duo was encouraged by Tomlab label head Tom Steinle to record a proper album. Zammuto and de Jong spent the next two years recording sporadically. De Jong spent his time between the States and the Netherlands while Zammuto relocated first to Los Angeles and then Boston. After experiencing an existential crisis, he walked all 2,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
Despite the distance between them, the two sent each other CD-Rs of recorded material which the other would then expand upon. After Zammuto finally settled down as an inn keeper in Hot Springs, North Carolina, the duo put the finishing touches on their debut full length Thought for Food (2002 Tomlab). The album garnered considerable critical praise and established The Books as highly-regarded artists within the folktronica scene before they had played a single show. The Books then relocated to Adams, Massachusetts where they compiled their own sound library of field, found sound, and instrumental recordings in preparation for their follow-up.
The Lemon of Pink (2003 Tomlab) followed just over a year later and mined a similar vein to that of its predecessor. Following the album’s release, The Books played their first live set at Chicago’s WBEZ Third Coast Audio Festival. Back in North Adams, the duo spent the next two years recording their third full-length, Lost and Safe (2005 Tomlab). It departed from the instrumental sound established by their previous releases by incorporating Zammuto and de Jong’s vocals in addition to utilizing sounds made with drain pipes, metal plates, and filing cabinets. The Books then embarked on their first national tour. Zammuto and de Jong still produce, mix, and record everything themselves without outside interference. The Books have remained relatively quiet for the past few years but don’t be surprised if a fourth full length is released sometime in soon.
