Who is Marie LeSalle from High Fidelity and what is their importance?

Marie is the American singer Rob falls in love with. There is the suggestion the feeling is mutual and that the relationship could develop into something bigger. The fact that it does not is partly due to Marie's self-confidence and independence. She has no problem approaching Barry, Dick, and Rob at her own gig and striking up a conversation, and takes little offense at Rob's obsession with Laura. In fact, she happily talks about it without ever presenting herself as just a shoulder to cry on. This highlights Marie as a people's person who gets on with just about anybody.