Joan As Policewoman

With a moniker inspired by Angie Dickinson’s tough-talking sex bomb character in the 1970s TV show, Police Woman, Wasser channels a similar presence mixing a bold and enduring stoicism with charm and grace – particularly in how she jovially ignores the unwritten rules of popular music. Wasser herself has described her music as “American Soul Music”, which for her combines a love of two vital genres: traditional soul music and punk.

Following the release of her sophomore album, To Survive, Joan Wasser aka Joan As Police Woman is returning to Sydney this October.

Until the 2006 release of her debut solo album, Real Life, she was best known as a member of the indie rock bands, The Dambuilders, Black Beetle and Those Bastard Souls. As a violinist and vocalist, she has contributed to album by everyone from The Scissor Sisters, Lou Reed, Nick Cave and toured with Rufus Wainwright and Antony & the Johnsons.

Now an artist in her own right, the Brooklyn based chanteuse holds an astonishing stage presence loaded with guitar, violin and keyboard infused torch songs reminiscent of the more doleful sides of Feist with a trace of Cat Power. The owner of a husky powerful voice she delves deep into her catalogue of life experience delivering a melodic and soulful introspection filled with deeply personal imagery - both stark and unusual.

In Joan’s own words ‘I am always trying to dig deeper into the emotional experience. I want to access the most honest place I can, distill it and present it in a way that makes sense musically.’

Wasser’s latest release, To Survive, features appearances by famed avant-garde artist David Sylvian. She is also once again united with long-time friend and occasional collaborator Rufus Wainwright on the track To America – two great voices coming together in abhorrence at the state of their nation.

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