Für Fans von: Folk & Blues, Indie & Alternative, und Pop.
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Cat Power could be said to have music in her veins, her father Charlie Marshall was a blues musician and pianist. However due to her parents divorcing and her stepfather having a job that demanded a lot of travel, Charlyn attended ten schools throughout the Southern United States. She was not allowed to purchase records as a child, yet she was permitted to listen to her step father's collection which including Otis Redding and The Rolling Stones.
At the age of 20, Marshall escaped the unpredictability of her family to start a new life in New York and pursue her love of music. Introduced to the free-jazz and experimental scene by Glen Thrasher, Charlyn channeled her inspirations into simultaneously recording her first two albums under the name Cat Power. The singer has however later stated that she classes 1996 release 'Myra Lee' as her official debut, its predecessor 'Dear Sir' is more of an EP due to its short length. Her lack of commercial success never phased Charlyn during the early years, in an early interview she stated: "I never saw recording as an objective because I never sold any records when I started touring and playing shows, I thought, ‘I can play this show and make the same amount of money I would by working two or three jobs'".
Despite then signing to Matador Records and releasing her third album, a year later Cat Power decided to retire from the industry and retire to Portland, Oregon. However after suffering a hypnogogic nightmare in 1998 whilst living alone, she found this to be the main inspiration for her fourth release 'Moon Pix'. In the early 2000's, Marshall developed a heavy drinking problem which affected her live performance, the New Yorker scathingly stating "It is foolhardy to describe a Cat Power event as a concert". Her relationship with model Dan Curry broke down at the height of her addiction, and she claims he is 'the ex-love of her life'.
After taking some time away from the industry, Marshall re-emerged in 2003 and toured the world with her fifth album and this became the grounds for her most successful release 'The Greatest' which made Charlyn Marshall the first woman ever to win the Shortlist Music Prize. Her next original release came in 2012 in the form of 'Sun', which is her most commercially successful album to date yet is also hailed for it's passionate combination of power pop and electro. Now a hugely respected and celebrated artist, Cat Power has put her troubled past behind and amazes crowds worldwide.
Chan Marshall, AKA Cat Power, is one of my favorite artists. I have seen her live multiple times and have never left feeling disappointed. She has a tremendous stage presence, alternating between a quiet, melodic whisper, and a fireball of energy.
I first saw her after the release of "You Are Free" in 2003. I loved the album but I was not sure what kind of concert she would give. Little did I know that I would love her live show more than I loved the album. She sang her heart out on stage for over two hours at a small venue in Lexington, KY, and made me fall in love with her.
Her performance was simple, with no major props on stage, but all eyes were glued to her and she belted out almost every song on the new album, plus several that I assumed were from her previous releases.
I have made it a point to go to every show of hers that is within driving distance since that first show. Her shows after the release of "The Greatest" were calmer and more subdued, which focused more on her beautiful voice and musical skills.
Cat Power is, easily, one of the best female rock acts performing at the moment. If you’re a fan of indie rock, you have to do yourself a favor and catch at least one of her shows. You will not leave dissatisfied.