In this indie rock hot chick smackdown, we compare and contrast the two women who make the hipsters swoon.

 

Origins

 

Cat Power got her start opening for Liz "Hot White Cum" Phair, but Feist cut her teeth with an opening gig for The Ramones. That's right, The Ramones.

 

Winner: Feist

 

 

Nickname

 

Chan Marshall is Cat Power's real name while Leslie Feist just shortens her name for the stage. All the power to Cat Power on this one.

 

Winner: Cat Power

 

 

Entourage

 

Feist is in Broken Social Scene and used to live with Peaches. Cat Power had Eddie Vedder and Dave Grohl guest on 2003's You Are Free, but they aren't part of her solid crew. The Dirty Delta Blues band might be considered a part of her new deal, but who really knows with her...

 

Winner: Feist

 

 

Stage Presence

 

I've seen them both (Feist last night, actually). Feist was in total control, cracked jokes, got the audience involved, and, basically, handled her shit in a major way. Cat Power, of course, freaked out and ran offstage when I saw her and, as cute that be, it can be sort of a bummer when you don't actually get to see the concert you came for.

 

Winner: Feist

 

 

Voice

 

"Secret Heart" by Feist

 

 

"Maybe Not" by Cat Power

 



It's no secret that their voices are a major reason for their success -- both very unique, both very powerful. But, Cat Power's pipes are just that much more sultry, just that much more raspy. She can really knock your socks off.

 

Winner: Cat Power

 

 

Latest Effort

 

 

2006 was Cat Power's year (with TV on the Radio and Bob Dylan, I suppose) and her album, The Greatest, garnered stellar reviews across the map. It culminated with a Shortlist win just this week.

 

"Lived in Bars"

 

 


The Reminder is a real critical darling and will certainly make many Top Tens for 2007. Feist has been the talk of many towns and is currently selling out dates across the globe.

 

"My Moon My Man"

 

Winner: Cat Power (Hindsight is 20/20)

 

 

Hotness

 

Perhaps our most important category. Observe:

 

Feist

 

Cat Power




Both have bangs. Both have bangin' faces and bodies. I want to bang both of them. But, hey, Cat Power did just pick up a Chanel contract. I mean, come on...

 

Winner: Cat Power

 

 

Scores

 

Cat Power: 4

 

Feist: 3

 

 

Overall Winner: Cat Power