Defined as a shredding guitar goddess, Marnie Stern certainly lives up to the hype. Born and raised as a city girl, Stern developed an early love for the unconventional and gritty. At 23, she heard Sleater-Kinney and felt the captivating essence of punk-inspired experimental rock. From there, she never looked back.
Stern began obsessively learning finger-tapping techniques on the electric guitar, developing what would eventually become her iconic and richly layered sound. Equipped with passion and an impressively frenetic style of playing, Stern sent a demo tape to the independent record label Kill Rock Stars and was quickly signed. In early 2007, her debut album, In Advance of the Broken Arm, was released and well received by critics. The New York Times cited it as “the year’s most exciting rock ‘n’ roll album.” In 2008, Stern’s 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 was released and deemed No. 44 of Pitchfork Media’s “The 50 Best Albums of 2008.” These continued accolades solidified Stern’s place amongst the most innovative artists of her time. After touring heavily throughout 2010 and 2011, Stern released her third studio album, The Chronicles of Marnia, in 2013. In present day, she can now be heard as a guitarist in the 8G Band, Late Night with Seth Meyer’s house band.
As one of Elle Magazines featured “12 Greatest Female Electric Guitarists” and No. 87 on Spin Magazine’s list of “100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time,” it’s safe to say Stern has transcended skilled guitarist and made way to innovative legend. From releasing acclaimed records to crafting her own iconic sound, Marnie Stern is the epitome of a guitar girl.
Authored by Victoria Shaffer