Joan as Police Woman Joan as Police Woman artist page: interviews, features and/or performances archived at NPR Music

Joan as Police Woman

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When finishing an album means talking with ghosts

Joan Wasser turned a prolific session-player career into her own band, Joan as Police Woman. Her latest album, The Solution Is Restless, began as a marathon jam with Afrobeat innovator Tony Allen. Giles Clement/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Giles Clement/Courtesy of the artist

Music Features

When finishing an album means talking with ghosts

November 22, 2021 • The new album by Joan as Police Woman began as a thrilling, one-night-only collaboration with Afrobeat legend Tony Allen. Then disaster struck.

Studio Sessions

Joan as Police Woman: 'To Survive' Alone

WNYC

June 13, 2008 • Joan Wasser spent the 1990s as an alt-rocker and backup violinist in various bands. But when she started performing as Joan as Police Woman, she developed a knack for punk-informed soul. Hear an interview and stripped-down in-studio performance.

Listen Now

All Songs Considered

Dan Deacon, Queens of the Stone Age, St. Vincent

August 16, 2007 • Sufjan Stevens singer goes solo: St. Vincent; Soulful rock from Joan as Policewoman; Australian jazz bassist Tal Wilkenfeld.

Dan Deacon, Queens of the Stone Age, St. Vincent

Listen

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Second Stage

Joan as Police Woman: 'Eternal Flame'

August 14, 2007 • Joan as Police Woman is the solo project of Joan Wasser, who was previously (un)known as a talented violinist with Antony and the Johnsons and Rufus Wainwright. Now "as Police Woman," she adds piano and guitar to her arsenal, creating an enormously memorable album.

Concerts

Crowded House, Joan as Police Woman in Concert

WXPN

August 10, 2007 • The Australian band Crowded House recorded some of the most appealing pop-rock singles of the late '80s and early '90s, before breaking up in 1996. Now reunited, the band headlines a concert from WXPN and World Café Live in Philadelphia, with opener Joan as Police Woman.

Crowded House, Joan as Police Woman in Concert

Review

Song Of The Day

From the Sidelines to the Spotlight

June 29, 2007 • After stints as a member of The Dambuilders and Those Bastard Souls, Joan Wasser is finally attracting attention with her own spellbinding voice front and center.

'Real Life' by Joan as Police Woman

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