Marnie Stern

Marnie Stern

Marnie Stern is a musician, songwriter and guitarist from New York, United States. Her work is associated with experimental, indie rock, math rock and noise rock, and she is known for a technical guitar style built around tapping. She cites Hella, Lightning Bolt and Yoko Ono among the influences on her sound.

Early releases and critical response

Her debut album, In Advance of the Broken Arm, is released by Kill Rock Stars in 2007. It receives strong critical attention, including praise from The New York Times, which describes it as the year’s most exciting rock and roll album. In support of the record, she tours the US and UK with Zach Hill of Hella and Robby Moncrieff of The Advantage.

Second and third albums

Her second album, This Is 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, is released in 2008. It receives Pitchfork Media’s “Best New Music” designation and appears at number 44 on its list of the 50 best albums of 2008. She tours Europe and the US behind the album with former U.S. Maple guitarist Mark Shippy, bassist Malia James and different drummers.

Her self-titled third album follows, with backing from bass player Nithin Kalvakota and former Tera Melos drummer Vincent Rogers. She spends much of 2010 and 2011 touring North America, Europe and Australia in support of the record.

Recognition

In 2008, Stern is named one of Venus Zine’s greatest female guitarists of all time and is nominated for Female Artist of the Year and Punk Album of the Year at the Plug Music Awards.