What does music come to represent in the novel, Marlena?

Throughout the narrative, music represents the best part of Marlena. Several times, she is described as having a very engaging voice and performance style, while her connection to the work of other artists such as Joni Mitchell and Stevie Nicks is one of the initial, and healthiest, ways in which she and Cat connect. As Marlena becomes increasingly addicted to drugs, her love of music dissipates.