Cat Power is the stage name of Charlyn Marie Marshall, born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1972. She began performing in the late 1980s with a band of the same name, formed after Marshall spotted a Caterpillar trucker cap reading "Cat Diesel Power." The group relocated to New York City in 1992, where Marshall transitioned to a solo career, signing with Matador Records in 1996. Her early work blended punk, folk, and blues, while later albums incorporated soul and R&B influences, notably The Greatest (2006), recorded with Al Green's guitarist Teenie Hodges and Memphis musicians. Marshall is known for emotionally restrained vocal performances and interpretive approaches to songwriting, including covers of Bob Dylan material. Over a 30-year career spanning 11 studio albums, her sound has continuously evolved across multiple genres.