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Art School Band's Indie Debut Broke New Wave Rules
26 Apr
Summary
- Book of Love emerged as art-school students in the mid-1980s.
- Their hit song 'Boy' explored gender nonconformity and queer identity.
- The band achieved fame with a minimalist sound and subtle approach.
Book of Love, a new wave band formed by art-school students, carved out a unique niche in the mid-1980s club scene. Their debut album showcased a slyly subversive touch, achieving fame with a naturally cool and understated attitude.
The band's journey was marked by unexpected elements, including two unrelated chief songwriters sharing the same last name, Ted and Susan Ottaviano. As queer art-school students, they formed the group long-distance before converging in NYC.
Despite the vibrant and eccentric club scene, Book of Love's queer identity and gender fluidity were understood rather than overtly marketed. This subtle approach paid off, particularly with their demo 'Boy,' which secured them a record deal and a tour with Depeche Mode.
'Boy,' a minimalist masterpiece, defied the maximalist trends of the '80s. Written by a queer man and performed by a queer woman, the song's open-ended narrative about nonconforming angst found a wide audience. Its spare arrangement, featuring drum machine, synth, and bells, created a dramatic yet intimate soundscape.
