“...As my collection grows, I’m realizing it’s impractical to have so many books when you’re moving around all the time. Luckily I can usually count on the library to have whatever I want.”

Chastity Belt was formed by four friends attending Whitman College in Washington state, and later relocated to the DIY-minded Seattle. The band's music reflects this melancholy climate, with moody lyrics and understated guitars. On their March 2015 release Time To Go Home, lead singer Julia Shapiro pleadingly asks "Why do I try?" and a few songs later repeatedly declares "I don't care" on the succinctly titled tracks "Why Try" and "IDC," respectively. Chastity Belt may seem down, but they're not out—the ennui is often juxtaposed with an upbeat melody, and there's a playfulness behind the sad veneer. On the opening track "Drone," the line "He was just another man trying to teach me something" was a sentiment I related to all too well, and that relatability carried on throughout the duration of the album. How excited I was to learn that this line was taken from a popular book! Read on to learn the source, as well as guitarist Lydia Lund's bookish habits, and rock 'n' read forever!

What role did libraries play in your youth?

My dad was a librarian and took me to libraries all the time as a kid. He would read to me almost every night before I could read on my own, so we went through a lot of books.

What was your favorite book growing up and why?

I loved the BFG. I just felt like Roald Dahl had the best sense of humor. He totally got what I wanted as a kid: something goofy, slightly crude, and a little dark.

Has any one book in particular had a lasting effect on you?

I really love The Lord of the Rings. Now when I recollect scenes from the books, I almost feel like I can re-access the feeling I had when I first read it. My best friend and I would imagine mythical worlds when I was in middle school, so I was in total awe when I discovered The Lord of the Rings. The world was so thought out and extensively described, that I felt a sense of magic simply in the fact that Tolkien could even fathom such a thing.

What is a classic that you've never gotten around to reading but would like to one day?

I've picked up East of Eden several times but have never gotten past the first few pages. Hopefully one day I will.

What genre do you prefer? Are there any you can't get into?

I don't really know much about genres but I generally like books that are pretty introspective. I loved The Catcher in the Rye when I was young and I like reading autobiographies. I also tend to like works that have a strong connection to place, occasionally with an environmental bent, like Barbara Kingsolver's Animal Dreams and Gary Snyder's essays.

What are you currently reading? If nothing at the moment, what was the last book you read?

I'm reading Refuge by Terry Tempest Williams. She's an amazing author and speaker, such a passionate and thoughtful woman. I really admire her.

While on tour are you able to get much reading done?

Luckily I don't get carsick when I read in the car, so I am able to read. Mostly though we listen to podcasts so we're all on the same page.

Do you do any other writing aside from songwriting?

A fair amount of journaling. There's lots of time in the van for that on tour.

Have any specific authors, books, and/or poems influenced your songwriting in any way?

I think all of us read How Should a Person Be? by Sheila Heti and found it pretty profound and enjoyable. Chastity Belt's song "Drone" adapts a line from the book: "He was just another man trying to teach me something."

Do you have any favorite memoirs by musicians?

I loved Patti Smith's Just Kids.

Do you prefer physical books, e-books, or no strong opinion either way?

I prefer reading physical books. But as my collection grows I'm realizing it's impractical to have so many books when you're moving around all the time. Luckily I can usually count on the library to have whatever I want.

Do you have a library card? If so, which library system are you a member of?

The Seattle Public Library.

Check out Chastity's Belt excellent sophomore album Time to Go Home:

Check out past Rock 'n' Read interviews with Hutch Harris of The Thermals, No Joy, Crocodiles, Screaming Females, and Thee Oh Sees!