Pitchfork

First, we were skeptical, then pleasantly surprised. But now it's evident that Chan Marshall is doing victory laps. In an interview published today in The New York Times, Marshall (aka Cat Power) talked about her battle with alcoholism and her past struggles with performing live, as well as her future plans.

"I never noticed they really liked me before. Man, these people stuck with me," Marshall said of her audiences, explaining that her erratic behavior at past shows had more to do with being uncomfortable with herself rather than the audience or the instruments onstage.

She also talked about the events leading up to her stay at the Mount Sinai Medical Center earlier this year, where she was hospitalized right before the release of her latest album, The Greatest. "I was looking at death. I wanted to die," she said, adding, "I lost my mind... I asked God, I said, 'I'm tired, I can't do this.' I was asking him to just take me."

For the full article and a video of Marshall answering some of the interview questions, click here.

Marshall said that Mary J. Blige has been an inspiration to her on the path to sobriety, though-- in the interest of full disclosure-- she admitted to having seven drinks in the past seven months.

She is busier than ever, however, with Matador planning to re-release The Greatest with "new album cover art and a new promotional push," according to the Times, which also reports that she intends to call her next album Sun and that it is already written. Additionally, there is talk of recording "a second covers album; top of the list are James Brown and Billie Holiday songs."

Finally, Marshall seems to be interested in movies and TV. Apparently, director Wong Kar-Wai-- who is "in the habit of playing The Greatest for his actors before each scene"-- "invited her to play Jude Law's ex-lover in the movie he is now shooting." She also "spoke of auditioning to join the cast of 'Saturday Night Live' next summer." Maybe it's my lack of imagination, but I can't really see Chan Marshall as the next Molly Shannon. And that is a good thing.

Cat Power has even more triumphant tour dates before the year is out. All dates are with the Memphis Rhythm Band, except where otherwise noted.

Dates:

09-20 Mexico City, Mexico - Venustiano Carranza 25 (solo)
10-28 Las Vegas, NV - Vegoose Festival
11-01 London, England - Roundhouse
11-03 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso
11-04 Brussels, Belgium - Ancienne Belgique
11-05 Paris, France - Grand Rex
11-06 Berlin, Germany - Volksbühne
11-07 Zurich, Switzerland - Kaufleuten
11-09 New York, NY - Avery Fisher Hall (solo, Bob Dylan tribute) *

* with Patti Smith, Philip Glass, more