Cat Power

Cat Power, a.k.a. Chan Marshall (born Charlyn Marie Marshall; January 21, 1972), is an American singer/songwriter known for her minimalist (yet often pastoral) music, for her sparse guitar and piano playing, and for her ethereal, Southern-styled vocals. She is often, but not always, accompanied by backing musicians on record and in concert.

Biography

The daughter of divorced parents, Chan (pronounced "Shawn") Marshall was born in Atlanta, but moved to New York City after dropping out of high school, where she began playing shows under the name Cat Power. While opening for Liz Phair in 1994, she met Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth and Tim Foljahn of Two Dollar Guitar, who encouraged her to record, and played on her first two albums, 1995's Dear Sir and 1996's Myra Lee. In 1996 she was signed to Matador Records, and released her third album, What Would the Community Think, which spawned a rare single and music video, "Nude As The News".

Related Topics:
Atlanta - New York City - Liz Phair - 1994 - Steve Shelley - Sonic Youth - 1995 - Dear Sir - 1996 - Myra Lee - Matador Records - What Would the Community Think - Single - Music video - Nude As The News

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In 1998 came Moon Pix, which was recorded in Australia and featured backing musicians Mick Turner and Jim White of the Dirty Three. The album was well-received by critics, and along with the video for the song "Cross Bones Style," helped increase Marshall's profile in the indie rock scene. During the subsequent tours, however, she grew tired of her own material, and two years later released The Covers Record, a collection of cover songs recorded at various sessions in 1998 and 1999. In 2003 she resumed releasing original material with You Are Free, a diverse and critically applauded album which featured guest musicians such as Eddie Vedder, Dave Grohl, and the Dirty Three's Warren Ellis.

Related Topics:
1998 - Moon Pix - Australia - Dirty Three - Cross Bones Style - Indie rock - The Covers Record - 1999 - 2003 - You Are Free - Eddie Vedder - Dave Grohl - Warren Ellis

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The year 2004 saw the release of the critically polarizing DVD Speaking for Trees, which featured a single, nearly 2-hour static shot of Marshall performing in a woodland, and was accompanied by an audio CD containing the 18-minute song "Willie Deadwilder," featuring M. Ward on guitar. On June 22, 2005, Marshall performed in London as part of the annual Meltdown Festival, curated by punk pioneer, Patti Smith. On September 17 as a part of London's Don't Look Back Festival, Marshall performed The Covers Record in its entirety as well as other assorted covers including the traditional folk song "House of the Rising Sun."

Related Topics:
2004 - Speaking for Trees - M. Ward - 2005 - London - Meltdown Festival - Punk - Patti Smith

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A new record, called The Greatest, is scheduled for early 2006.

Related Topics:
The Greatest - 2006

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