Songstress Joan Wasser struck gold with her debut album Real Life and looks set to stun the world again with her upcoming second release, To Survive. She’s better known as Joan as Police Woman, a moniker that once got her act mistaken for a strip show in England, but the international acclaim she received for her debut release has left the artist astounded.
“I did not expect it to really gain so much positive feedback, but it was wonderful!” she says, admitting her relief at its acceptance in the musical community. “I mean, it made me feel less… lonely. And it really helped me make this next record, knowing that people liked what I did naturally.”
The new album pushes further into Joan’s realm of raw emotion, unswervingly aiming at the most truthful representation of herself and her life. “I’m always trying to find a way to express myself more directly, more clearly, more emotionally connected, so, you know, I try to do that on this record,” she says. “I made this record all at one time rather than the way that I did Real Life, which was in pieces, so that was really nice – to do it all at once and have that continuum.”
So what were the influences behind To Survive? “Um…touring,” she answers. “Living life on the road, being in a different place every day… I think it was really a lot of the music is a search for peace and calm and solitude.”
But during the recording, another process was taking place – the sad passing of Joan’s mother after a battle with cancer, which Joan is comfortable enough to discuss. “It was an extremely profound experience for me to live through with her, and you know, it really makes you think about what life really is, and how to make the most of it on a daily basis. But the fact is that I know that I’m not special with the way I feel, I mean if I’m feeling something I know that pretty much everybody else has felt similar, if not exactly the same way, so I just think it’s nice to talk about it. That’s me, I’d rather talk about it and feel less lonely than hide in a cave.”
The album, as a result of these emotions, is stripped back musically to an often elemental trio of piano, bass and drums, joined by various friends and associates. “When writing the songs for this recording, I really tried to let them come out the way they did naturally, rather than trying to force them into a set musical style or form,” Joan explains. “Therefore some of them were a little more complicated and take a little more time to hear what’s going on. I guess I wanted to make sure the songs came first, rather than all the embellishments, and I just like stripped down music. I think that if you can do a lot with less, do it!
“The bass player, Rainy Orteca, I’ve played with for a while, she played on Real Life and I’ve been touring with her the last couple of years. I’m playing with a new drummer for the project, I actually played with him in a previous band, his name’s Parker Kindred and he’s fabulous. Absolutely fabulous! I’m really thankful every day that I get to play with him again. All the other people on the album are friends of mine, and people that I love in New York City that I’ve played with in some situation, who I just got to come in and put stuff on the record. I’ve got some good friends, I’ve got to say! Talented friends!” she laughs.
Joan certainly does have a long list of talented friends in the musical word. She’s played with Elliott Smith, dated and performed with the late Jeff Buckley and recorded with contemporary folk figureheads Antony (of …and the Johnsons). She’s in the thick of it all, and it’s a great place to be. “Working with both Antony and with Rufus has been a really incredibly profound experience for me. They’re both such incredible artists and they’re following their own amazing paths and…What can I say? Their music speaks for itself. I’m so happy that people know Antony and Rufus’ music. I feel like it’s music that can enhance your life.””
And is there anyone she hasn’t worked with yet? “Well I’d like to work with Dolly Parton and Neil Young!” she laughs. “I’m sure there are a million others that I’m not thinking of right now but they’re the ones that come to mind…”
Joan’s mesmerising voice and lyrics have captured much of the world and are certain to continue to do so as To Survive is released later this month on June 21.
Joan As Police Woman plays The Great Escape festival at Sydney’s Newington Armory on the October long weekend. National dates are sure to follow – keep an eye on FL for updates.
