After rocking Australian stages back in May with her full band, New York artist Joan As Police Woman (Joan Wasser) returns in October for a run of intimate solo performances.
The upcoming tour is in support of her recently released retrospective collection 'Joanthology', which spans Joan's extraordinary JAPW career across three discs.
The 'Joanthology' tour will be a rare showing of Joan in solo mode, stripping back her songbook to its true essence by performing on just piano and guitar. Talented, charming and oh-so-cool, here Joan reflects on her time as JAPW.
Your favourite part of being Joan As Police Woman?
1. I get to write, record, produce and play my music all over the world. 2. Sometimes people actually think I’m a cop.
How did you enjoy your recent Australian shows?
I thoroughly enjoyed it; touring Oz is never a bummer. You may or may not know this, but you live in a kind of paradise.
What has Australia been like as a touring destination for you over the years?
It has always been an area of the calendar I look forward to. Aussies love music in a way that’s inspiring to me.
If you relocated to Australia, where would you live and why?
Oh man. . . that’s a terrible question. I have the most friends in Melbourne, but I love a more tropical habitat as well. . . can’t I move around? I swam on the Gold Coast in May. I want to be everywhere.
Looking back over your albums for 'Joanthology', is there a record of which you're more proud than the others?
I really can’t say. I am somewhat shocked I made any. They all have their own flavours and colours that reflect the time I was writing and recording, and each one flows to the next. I’m proud I made anything.
Are there any songs of yours that have become more meaningful or important to you over the years?
In retrospect, certain songs I thought I was writing about other people I now believe to be about myself. Compositions are in essence always about the writer, but I feel I was often searching for a way to be tender with myself that I would reserve only for lovers. 'Real Life' is one example of this.
What was the story you wanted to tell with the tracklisting for 'Joanthology'?
Most folks gravitate to one JAPW record – usually the one they found first. I wanted to provide an overview of my work that allowed fans who were devoted to one sound of mine to potentially branch out.
On the upcoming 'Joanthology' tour you'll be performing solo – how do your solo shows compare to the full band shows?
I feel like the solo show and the band show are entirely different animals. For the solo show I play grand piano, electric guitar and a drum machine from 1973 that I use sparingly. I have composed completely new arrangements for many of my old songs. Depending on the night, the crowd, my mood, I can do just about anything when I’m playing solo.
You're a keen lover of music – who are you listening to at the moment, and who are some artists you recommend we listen to?
I’m listening to Little Simz’ “GREY Area” album. She’s brilliant with words, with ideas, with flow and the production is killer.
After 'Joanthology' wraps up, what comes next for Joan As Police Woman?
I’m currently finishing a second covers record that will be released next year. I am always writing for the next Joan As Police Woman record. I am continuing work on a second collab record with Benjamin Lazar Davis. And then there’s all the musical collaborations to be made that I don’t yet know about.
Joan As Police Woman Australia Tour 2019
6-7 Oct - Caloundra Music Festival (Sunshine Coast)Tues 8 Oct - The Triffid (Brisbane)
Wed 9 Oct - The Factory Theatre (Sydney)
Thu 10 Oct - Melbourne Recital Centre (Melbourne Festival)
Sun 13 Oct - Theatre Royal (Castlemaine)
Tue 15 Oct - The Gov (Adelaide)
Thu 17 Oct - Sewing Room (Perth)
Sat 19 Oct - Tanks Arts Centre (Cairns)
