It’s sometimes easy when listening to electronic-infused musical pieces, to envision a laboratory-like setting where these tonal tunes are born. Yes, the sporadic bleeps on “Great Equator,” a track from Zammuto’s newly released Anchor are robotic in nature, but it is nature and all its organic surroundings that seem to inspire fantasy and gorgeous creativity in the mind of Nick Zummato, the brain and body behind the band.
It was two years ago in 2012 when I first discovered Zummato, as his band made its way into Boulder for the Communikey Festival, ready to intro audiences to his aural adventures ala his self-titled release.
Now on his second album, ‘Anchor’, also on Temporary Residence Ltd. as of September 3rd, his range has expanded even further. Deep in the woods of southern Vermont, a converted tractor garage serves as his headquarters where he plucks and pulls ideas in all keys, shapes and genres – from improvisational jazz and drum and bass, to indie and synth pop – forming moods for contemplation and escapism one moment, then the energy and enthusiasm to build your own catapult and toss old computer junk into the sky.
That mischievous characteristic found on Zammuto’s first self-titled album, including the track “Zebra Butt,” resonates on ‘Anchor’ as well. As seen in the video for “IO,” him, his family and friends are having as much fun with the Input as the Output, and all the cake in-between.
In addition to Nick’s heavenly vocals, he’s brought in Daniela Gesundheit of Snowblink to adds icing atop a winter’s mountain for the entry to the album, “Good Graces,” getting inside your mind and not letting go. Going back to “Great Equator,” the two form a weave of vocal DNA that feels to be a descendant of Laurie Anderson. “Electric Ant” sways between a sense of story-telling urgency and tranquility, from the airplane to a bullet train, and then it’s into a Run Lola Run sprint on the closing track, “Code Breaker.”
While I could see Zammuto touring with the likes of Junip and Jagwar Ma, for now they’re headlining their own tour and will perform Friday, September 12 with Decollage at the intimate Denver venue, Lost Lake, where you’ll really be able to see and appreciate the true breadth of musical skills Nick (Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards), his brother Mickey Zummato (bass), Sean Dixon (drums) and Nick Oddy (electric guitar, keyboards) encompass.
9/12 Denver, CO Lost Lake
9/13 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court
9/14 Boise, ID Boise Contemporary Theater
9/15 Seattle, WA Barboza
9/16 Vancouver, BC Media Club
9/17 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
9/19 Santa Cruz, CA Crepe Place
9/20 San Francisco, CA Brick & Mortar
9/21 Los Angeles, CA The Satellite
9/23 San Diego, CA Casbah
9/24 Phoenix, AZ Last Exit
9/25 Tucson, AZ Flycatcher
9/27 Austin, TX Holy Mountain
9/28 Dallas, TX Index Fest
10/26 New York NY LPR
10/27 Philadelphia PA Boot & Saddle
10/28 Washington DC DC9
10/29 Durham NC Pinhook
10/30 Atlanta GA Drunken Unicorn
11/01 Asheville NC The Mothlight
11/02 Nashville TN High Watt
11/03 Louisville KY Zanzabar
11/04 Cincinnati OH Southgate House (Revival)
11/05 Columbus OH The Basement
11/06 Buffalo NY Sugar City
11/07 Boston MA Great Scott
