She consistently pleases rock critics, and has been featured on Pitchfork.com, nymag.com, CMJ — and Spin said of her, “Marnie Stern has the voice of a little girl grafted to the grizzled hands of Yngwie Malmsteen.” She has long collaborated with percussionist Zach Hill of Hella to create albums that are frenetic, passionate, and rhythmic. I started listening to her because she was the hot new artist on the Kill Rock Stars label, and krs consistently chooses interesting and talented artists. Now, every time I hear the song The Crippled Jazzer, I get that rush of adrenaline that only comes from listening to a perfectly executed rock song.
Marnie was nice enough to answer a few questions over email. So without further ado, the interview…
When did you begin playing and why?
I learned a few chords when I was 15 because my mother thought it would be neat if I learned to play the guitar.
What was your first guitar, and why did you get it?
I saved up at work to buy a Dan Electro because I saw that Sleater Kinney used them
What equipment do you prefer now? Which guitar? What amps, cables, pedals? Why? Has this changed over time?
It’s stayed the same because I’m too lazy and broke to go explore. I mainly use a Scott French custom made guitar and a Fender Jazzmaster. For amps I use a combo Ampeg or a Fender reverb deluxe. Cables it makes no difference. Pedals I use a SansAmp preamp pedal as my distortion pedal and sometimes a delay Boss pedal. I’ve got a really simple set up.
What are you working on right now?
Trying to come up with new songs. The usual!
Name one or two (or more!) artists (musicians, writers, visual artists) you find inspiring.
Yoko Ono
Bella Foster- Painter
Malia James- Photographer/Music Video director
Patti Smith
