Biblio File, Interviews

Rock 'n' Read: Screaming Females

Screaming Females band
Photo credit: Christopher Patrick Ernst

"In the past, my partner and I would read the same book as one another while I was out on tour. It was a way of staying connected, even though we were physically far apart."

Screaming Females are a three-piece indie rock band hailing from the storied New Brunswick, New Jersey music scene. The past decade has watched them go from  playing in cramped New Jersey basements to touring with indie rock icons such as Dinosaur Jr., Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, and Throwing Muses. The trio just released their sixth studio album, Rose Mountain, in February and embark on a national tour this summer. Do they find time to read during their musical ascent? Check out our brief interview with Marissa Paternoster, Jarrett Dougherty, and Michael Abbate to find out, and rock 'n' read forever!

Blood and Guts in High School

Have any specific authors, books, and/or poems influenced your songwriting in any way?
Marissa: After reading Girls to the Front by Sara Marcus, I decided to pick up some Kathy Acker books because all of the formative riot girl bands were really into her writing. I bought Blood and Guts in High School and it was, hands down, one of the strangest and most terrifying things I had ever read. It was easy to see how early Bikini Kill songs and zines were highly effected by her writing style. It got me thinking about my own writing, but I really can't say.    

While on tour, are you able to get much reading done?
Mike: I have a tough time reading on tour, because I am easily distracted. If a song comes on the radio and I know the lyrics, I have to sing along. It's a curse. Also, we aren't the type of band to immediately put in our earbuds and not speak to each other in the van. Often, we will be too busy chatting to pull out a book; however, sometimes, nothing can break the spell of a good read.
Bicycle Diaries by David Byrne
 
Do you have any favorite memoirs by musicians?
Marissa: My favorite memoir by a musician is definitely Just Kids by Patti Smith. I couldn't put it down. I grew up looking at Robert Mapplethorpe's artwork and the insight Patti offered into their lives was like a wonderful gift.  
 
Mike: Although it isn't so much a memoir as it is an observational non-fiction piece, I really enjoyed Bicycle Diaries by David Byrne (of Talking Heads). I have always enjoyed traveling, and I liked reading David Byrne's insights about his travels all over the world. Whether it be about politics, landscapes, visual arts, music, or just the people he meets, I think that David Byrne paints a vivid picture of urban cultures, as he experiences them.
 
Do you have any tour memories involving books or libraries?
Jarrett: In 2011, we did a whole lot of touring. I spent a good portion of that time digging into radical political literature.
No Gods, No Masters
The Egyptian revolution in Tahrir was happening, Occupy Wall Street was happening, there were massive protests in Spain. It seemed like the whole world was in upheaval. I remember being in a European airport reading the anarchist collection No Gods, No Masters [An Anthology of Anarchism] edited by Daniel Gurein and looking up to see a security guard staring at me. Perhaps it was just a random moment but, regardless, I quickly put the book away. It was a strange moment but I clearly remember thinking, "Books can be dangerous."
 
Mike: In the past, my partner and I would read the same book as one another while I was out on tour. It was a way of staying connected, even though we were physically far apart. We would write our thoughts and notes to each other in the margins, and then, when I returned home, we would trade copies, review all of the notes, and talk about the book. It was a really fun way to remain close. Unfortunately, we won't be doing that for the next few years, as she pursues a Master's degree in Library Science. I am not trying to read reference textbooks on tour just yet.
 
Now you know what Screaming Females read, but do you know what they sound like? NYPL currently carries two albums by the band, including their newest release:
 
Rose Mountain