American singer-songwriter Charlyn ‘Chan’ Marshall is certainly an artist of the moment. She does however hold a place in rock history that started off back in the early nineties. She originally performed under the name of ‘Cat Power’ while in Atlanta, backed by musicians Glen Thrasher, Mark Moore and others.

In 1992 she moved to New York City with Thrasher, and it was he who introduced her to New York’s free jazz and experimental music scenes. Her early shows were often described as ‘improvisational’, and it was during this time she impressed Steve Shelly of Sonic Youth, while opening for Liz Phair in 1994. Shelly played on and encouraged her to record her first two albums, ‘Dear Sir’ and ‘Myra Lee’.

In 1996 Marshall signed with Matador Records, and released her third album, ‘What Would the Community Think’, which spawned a single and music video, "Nude as the News". Following a three-month tour co-headlining with the band Guv'ner in support of the release of ‘What Would the Community Think’, Marshall seemingly disappeared from the music scene, turning her hand to baby-sitting in Portland Oregan, and then moving into a farm-house in South Carolina. Her plan was to fully retire, however Marshall became inspired from a nightmare, and wrote a few new songs that would make up the majority of album, ‘Moon Pix’.

‘Moon Pix’ was well received by fans and critics alike, however, during the subsequent tours she grew tired of her own material. This resulted in a series of shows during 1999 involving Marshall providing musical accompaniment to a series of screenings of the silent movie The Passion of Joan of Arc. The show involved covers which would later come to light on the ‘The Covers Record’.

In 2003 she resumed releasing original material with You Are Free, a diverse and critically applauded album, which featured high profile guest musicians such as Eddie Vedder, Dave Grohl, and the Dirty Three's Warren Ellis.

2004 saw the unique release of DVD ‘Speaking for Tree’s’ that featured a two hour static shot of Marshall performing in the woods, accompanied by an audio CD containing 18 minute song ‘Wille Deadwilder’ that features M.Ward on guitar. Following this, in 2005 Marshall set off on the road again, playing all over the world, even supporting Nick Cave in Australia.

Marshall’s next album, ‘The Greatest’ was not a greatest hits as such, but a record that Matador Records had arranged which saw her collaborate with many well known musicians such as Teenie Hodges. Health related issues resulted in shows off her tour being cancelled, including dates in London and Paris. Marshall resumed touring in April of 2006, playing some of her most well received shows.

Follwing her success once again, in 2007 Marshall was asked to perform for the spring/ summer Chanel Haute Couture collection in Paris, and appeared in Wong Kar Wai's 'My blueberry nights' as Katya. Later in 2007, Mashall Earned a Brit nomination, as well as becoming the first female ever to win the Shortlist Music Prize, when ‘The Greatest’ was voted album of the year in June.