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Marnie Stern vs. Best Coast: Leading Ladies of Indie-Rock Beef

Here we go! Marnie Stern, the indie-guitar wiz behind 2008’s critically acclaimed This Is It & I Am It & You Are It & So Is That & He Is It & She Is It & It Is It & That Is That, is now doing the press rounds for her upcoming self-titled follow-up, and she’s really making the most of the opportunity. In a new interview with Impose Magazine, Stern, more or less unprovoked, takes a few amusing shots at Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast. The choice passage:

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Ok, Best Coast, I see everywhere. What’s with her?



She is Wavves’ girlfriend.

So that’s why she got famous? Is she famous? Like what, because buzz is different.

She went on the New York Times, and they reviewed her, did a podcast. How many records is she selling, I’m not sure. But she’s getting good reviews all over the place.
Of course I heard a song and was like “Are you joking me?”

She sings, un-ironically about loving boys. Her lyrics are “I wish my cat could talk.” No joke.

That’s unacceptable, that’s unacceptable. That’s not showing any part, that’s unacceptable. You might as well then be an 80s hair metal band saying “I want pussy.”

No part of Stern’s put-down touches on gender, but one would have to assume that she turned her attention to Best Coast — as opposed to any number of arguably unworthy-of-buzz buzz acts — because while Stern has successfully made inroads into the male-dominated world of technical guitar playing, Cosentino fulfills a few female stereotypes (Specifically: oodles of lyrics about pining after boys, a rudimentary display of guitar-playing ability) some may take offense to … all while getting more love and attention. So is Stern being just a touch bitter, or is she speaking truth? Anyway, fun!

Marnie Stern confessional [Impose via Exclaim!]

Marnie Stern vs. Best Coast: Leading Ladies of Indie-Rock Beef