Marnie Stern | |
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 Stern performing in Philadelphia, May 9, 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1976-03-18)March 18, 1976 (age 49) |
| Origin | New York City, U.S. |
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| Years active | 2007–present |
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| Formerly of | The 8G Band |
Marnie Stern (born March 18, 1976) is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and guitarist. She has garnered acclaim for her technical skill andtapping style of guitar play.[1][2] Stern was a member ofThe 8G Band from the showLate Night with Seth Meyers.
In early 2007,Kill Rock Stars released Stern's debut CD,In Advance of the Broken Arm. It was well received by critics, and most favorably byThe New York Times, citing it as "The year's most exciting rock 'n' roll album."[3] In mid 2007, Stern toured the U.S. and UK withHella'sZach Hill and The Advantage's Robby Moncrieff, in support of her debut album.[4] In 2008, Stern was named one ofVenus Zine's "Greatest Female Guitarists of All Time", Spring 2008 issue[5] and was nominated "Female Artist of the Year" and "Punk Album of the Year" for the 2008Plug Music Awards.[6]
Stern's second album,This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and So Is That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That, was released October 7, 2008.[7] Upon release, it garnered the title of "Best New Music" as well as No. 44 on "The 50 Best Albums of 2008" fromPitchfork Media.[8] Stern toured Europe and the U.S. in support ofThis Is It with formerU.S. Maple guitarist Mark Shippy, bassist recruit Malia James, and a varying line-up of drummers.
Backed by bass player Nithin Kalvakota and formerTera Melos drummer Vincent Rogers, Stern spent most of 2010 and 2011 touring North America, Europe, and Australia in support of her self-titled third album. Highlights include several winter festivals in Europe as well as support dates with the Flaming Lips. She was chosen byLes Savy Fav to perform at theATP Nightmare Before Christmas festival that they co-curated in December 2011 in Minehead, England.[9] In 2011, Stern was named one ofElle Magazines "12 Greatest Female Electric Guitarists",[10] and was chosen as a voter on a panel of top guitarists and other experts for theRolling Stone Magazine "100 Greatest Guitarists List".[11] In 2012, she was named No. 87 on theSpin Magazine list of "100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time".[12]
In December 2012, it was announced that her next albumThe Chronicles of Marnia would be released onKill Rock Stars.[13] The title track of the album was debuted that same week on the website ofSpin Magazine in an article about Stern.[14] On March 4, 2013,The Chronicles of Marnia was made available exclusively onNPR's First Listen.[15] During 2013'sSXSW she was featured inABC News' 7 Emerging Artists on the Rise article.[16] Stern started off as a fill-in guitar player forLate Night with Seth Meyers' 8G Band when bandleaderFred Armisen was absent, and then became a full time member of theLate Night house band until 2022.[17]
In August 2023, Stern announced her return with a song titled "Plain Speak". It features on her fifth studio album,The Comeback Kid, which was released on November 3 viaJoyful Noise Recordings.[18]Rolling Stone named Marnie Stern as one of "The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".[19]
Stern has cited many musical influences that contribute to her sound, includingHella,King Crimson,[20]Lightning Bolt,Deerhoof,Erase Errata,Yoko Ono,Don Caballero,U.S. Maple,Royal Trux,Television,Bruce Springsteen,The Who, andTalking Heads.
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