Every pseudo-wannabe-thoughtful-indie-intellectual girl worth their salt loves Cat Power. And hey, who am I to argue? Sometimes you just want to wallow in a sad, sad song- and that's what Chan Marshall does best.
Is it the crack addiction? The way she used to down a forty-ounce a day? Perhaps it's the chainsmoking or the devastating dalliances with boys from Vincent Gallo to Bill Callahan of Smog. Perfect fodder for songs of heartbreak, for odes to chaos and despair.
Perhaps it's her curtain like fringe, her pared-back style (army anoraks, teeshirts and jeans, sneakers or motorcycle boots) - all of which inspired Lagerfeld to make her the face of Chanel Jewellery.
Molly of Musette recently wrote a lovely post about Cat Power's album's here.
I've loved Cat for years- from her Covers Album, with it's eerie rendition of the Stones 'Satisfaction', to her killer tunes on The Greatest, I'm a fan. I saw her play for the first time about four years ago with a boyfriend on Valentine's Day. She hid under the piano and asked the audience for drugs. It was excruciating, but kind of great.
Some of my favourite songs are her bootlegs and guest vocal appearances, namely, on 'I've Been Thinking' by Handsome Boy Modelling School. Listen- it's pretty good- I don't know anyone else that could say steez without making me gag.
John Peel, the best radio DJ ever, hosted Cat Power - the Peel Sessions just before he died. Chan does a cover of Hangin' on the Telephone by Blondie - it's genius - along with some Lynyrd Skynyrd- Free Bird and a little Mary J. Blige.
Also- check out Speaking for Trees, a film made by the excellent Mark Borthwick. Beautiful.
