NEM#261: Joan as Policewoman’s Living Growth

Joan Wasser started as violinist/support member in the 90s for The Dambuilders and then for Mind Science of the Mind and Antony and the Johnsons. In the mid-90s, she co-led a band called Black Beetle that released nothing, but taught her songwriting. She’s had 13 solo releases (7 original albums, 2 of covers, 2 collaborations, 1 live, 1 EP), as she has continued to guest and tour with major artists including Iggy Pop, Gorillaz, Rufus and Martha Wainwright, John Cale, Sheryl Crow, Elton John, and Lou Reed.

We discuss “Eternal Flame” from Real Life Evolution (2026), “I Defy” from Real Life (2006) (a duet with ANOHNI), and “Full-Time Heist” from Lemons, Limes and Orchids (2024). Intro: “The Magic” from The Deep Field (2011). End song: “Valid Jagger” from Damned Devotion (2018). More at joanaspolicewoman.com.

Experience all of “The Magic.” Hear one of Joan’s songs with Black Beetle before her first solo EP (“Vanish”). The single off that initial EP was “My Gurl.”

Watch a live, recent performance of “I Defy” and “Eternal Flame” from the same session. Hear the full new version of “I Defy” and the full old version of “Eternal Flame.”

Watch “Full Time Heist” played live solo. Here’s the official video. Watch a video for her collaborative project The Solution is Restless.

Hear one of Joan’s songs with Black Beetle before her first solo EP (“Vanish”). Watch Joan in 1995 playing violin live with Mary Timony (her bandmate in Mind Science of the Mind). Here she is very liberally covering The Beatles.

Watch more video on Joan’s YouTube channel.

Hear more Nakedly Examined Music at nakedlyexaminedmusic.com. Support us at patreon.com/nakedlyexaminedmusic.