In addition to her enduring presence in Vivian Girls, Katy Goodman also has a fine line in gorgeous indie pop under her La Sera moniker.
Returning with new album ‘Sees The Light’, Goodman is all heartbreaking lyrics and chugging, lilting riffs that will have you skipping through the commute. Recorded by Rob Barbato (Darker My Love, the Fall) out in California, the album finds La Sera carrying an infectious, blissful, hazy sunshine within them.
Out now, ClashMusic decided to celebrate the release of ‘Sees The Light’ by exploring Katy Goodman’s literary tastes in another instalment of Their Library.
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What is your favourite book and why?
Hmm, that’s a hard one. There’s so many! In Defense of Food?
What other authors do you like?
I like Michael Pollan, Malcolm Gladwell, a lot of different science writers…
What draws you to certain books?
I tend to read a lot of nonfiction, history and science, mostly the history of science…
Have you ever discovered a real lost classic? What is it and why?
I’m not sure what counts as a lost classic, but I read Norwegian Wood recently and really liked it. It was a popular Japanese novel from the 80s.
Do your literary influences have a direct impact on your songwriting?
Hmm, I don’t think so.
What are you reading at the moment?
The last book of Hunger Games!
What is the first book you remember reading as a child?
Where the Red Fern Grows.
Did you make good use of your library card as a child / teenager?
Yes, totally. I went to the library all the time.
Have you ever found a book that you simply couldn’t finish?
Lord of the Rings! I have attempted it many times and always gotten distracted.
Do you read book reviews?
No, not really.
Would you ever re-read the same book?
Yes, I’ve read Richard Feynman’s biographies several times each.
Have you ever identified with a character in a book? Which one and why?
Richard Feyneman! I like that he’s a renaissance man who had lots of odd interests and hobbies outside his main work. I like to consider myself a person with incredibly varied interests. We are both really into coded language.
Do you read one book at a time or more than one?
I’m usually half done a lot of books…
Is there an author / poet you would like to collaborate with?
Not that I can think of…but always open to suggestion…
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‘Sees The Light’ is out now.
