Their Library: Kat Von D
Kat Von D has always been fascinated by the darker side of the imagination. An artist adept at world building, her neo-goth sound is draped in luxuriant 80s synths, resulting in a dungeon of alt-pop virtuosity.
New album ‘My Side Of The Mountain’ is out on September 20th, and it finds Kat Von D sifting through life’s darker aspects. Joined by some very special guests, it’s a fan-pleasing affair that allows the songwriter space to evolve.
The album features guest vocals from Alissa White-Gluz of Arch Enemy and LA songwriter Ferra, but the most vivid voice is Kat’s own. With the title of her album linked to her deep literary love affair, CLASH invited Kat Von D to take part in Their Library, exploring the contents of her bookshelves…
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What is your favourite book and why?
As cliche as it may sound, Bram Stoker’s Dracula is my all time favourite book. I remember reading it for the first time, amazed that an entire book could be narrated by the perspectives of all characters involved except Dracula himself.
What other authors do you like?
Nowadays, I find myself dedicating most of my reading time to theology books and scripture. But as a true romantic through and through I will always have a soft spot for the classic poets — Lord Byron, Poe, Neruda etc.
Have you ever discovered a real lost classic? What is it and why?
Yes! I don’t know why it took me so long to discover C.S. Lewis. Reading The Chronicles of Narnia as an adult made me wish I had read this as a kid.
Do your literary influences have a direct impact on your songwriting?
Sure! Not only did I name my upcoming album after one of the most influential books of my childhood, ‘My Side of the Mountain’, but there is a literal mention of Baudelaire in one of my songs lyrics, as well as nods to other romantics.
What are you reading at the moment?
I just recently finished reading The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul. A semi-short read about trying to better understand what it means to be holy. It left me hyper aware of how tarnished humanity is, but at the same time inspired to strive to be better.
What is the first book you remember reading as a child?
In elementary school, I used to religiously check out a book from the library called ‘Spiders and Their Kin’. It was an educational book on all things arachnids and I obsessed over this book so much that by the time I was in second grade, I could draw and label the entire anatomy of a spider. Obviously, I was a naturally creepy child.
Decades later, my sister was able to locate the exact book from that local library that still had my name in the little check out card on the inside of the book cover and gifted it to me. That was probably one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever received. But as far as my first REAL introduction into literature, it was Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles that changed my entire life at the age of 12. That was the first time a book made me feel.
Is there an author / poet you would like to collaborate with?
All the ones I absolutely adore are most like dead, and the ones that are alive I wouldn’t feel worthy.
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Kat Von D’s new album ‘My Side of the Mountain‘ is out on September 20th.
