Sparked by the wrong-doings of a man and fueled by a new-found love of song writing, Katy Goodman’s solo project, La Sera, was born. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Goodman is also a favorite of Brooklyn band Vivian Girls.
Two years and two full-length LPs later, La Sera has grown to become more than just Goodman’s side project. She describes her sound as “morbid dream pop.” It’s sweet with a warm retro 50s feel, but with stinging lyrics and an edgy undertone. It’s an atmosphere reminiscent a pleasant dream with a dark shadow lurking quietly in the background.
La Sera is back in the studio this year and is hopeful of releasing a new album in late 2013. For now, the band is busy touring and performing locally. La Sera performs next at Bootleg Theater on January 29th with Bikini Shapiro and Adam Green.
How did La Sera come to be?
I had been playing in Vivian Girls for a few years, but had never really written songs by myself before. I didn’t really have the urge until one summer when I was really wronged by a guy, and I was so mad I actually picked up a guitar and wrote a song about it. That song is now called “Never Come Around.” From there, I was totally hooked on writing songs and the whole first album was written in two weeks.
How does the music you create solo differ from what you do with Vivian Girls?
Vivian Girls lyrics are all written by Cassie, so La Sera lyrics are different simply because I write them all. Sonically, both bands started out writing shorter, poppier songs, but have both evolved a lot over the years.
Do you prefer being a solo artist or being part of a band?
I really like doing both, so it’s been nice doing La Sera while Vivian Girls was also a band. Now that Vivian Girls isn’t doing much, it’s been awesome expanding La Sera into a band instead of just being a solo project. The writing we are doing now for the third album is way more collaborative than ever before.
If you could choose any three other musical artists to play with you on your dream bill, who would they be?
I would chose Morrissey first, because he is amazing and no further explanation is required. Let’s go with Jenny Lewis next, because she is an amazing singer and a lovely human being. I would make them sing a duet because it’s my dream bill and I can do that. The third musical artist would be Pissed Jeans because they are just a really good live band.
What inspires you to make music?
On the first album, I was inspired by simply the process of writing my own songs. The second album was inspired by a breakup that I went through, where I was using song writing as a form of therapy. This third album is definitely different. I feel like a lot of the songs are inspired by the idea of being “together”—Becoming friends with new people and banding together against the world. The first two albums were very solitary endeavors, and this next album will not have that same vibe.
If you were not a musician, what could you see yourself doing?
I would probably be a high school physics teacher, because that’s what I went to school for. I was applying at different high school teaching jobs in New Jersey right when Vivian Girls started doing well. It was one of the very few times in my life that I have faced a clear split in the road and had to make a choice that would affect my life forever. I feel like pursuing music full time was the best decision I could have made and I’m so thankful I did. But I still do love physics and could see myself teaching again at some point.
What do you do on your down time?
Lately I’ve been exercising a lot (Pop Physique!), hiking, hang out with my cat Walter, writing tons of songs and watching TV. I just got cable for the first time in my adult life and it’s pretty awesome, but I try not to watch too much.
Who is currently on your iPod?
I tend to become obsessed with certain albums and stick with them for a while. Right now, they are Father John Misty, Magic Trick, Tame Impala, the Beatles, the Marked Men, and Widowspeak.
If present-day you could give the you from five years ago advice, what would it be?
Wearing mascara isn’t crazy! Don’t be intimidated!
What can we expect from La Sera in 2013?
We are recording soon, so hopefully that’ll come out late in 2013.
