Joan Wasser
Encyclopedia
Joan Wasser is a violinist and singer/songwriter in the indie rock
world. She began her career playing violin with the Dambuilders
. She has released three albums as a singer songwriter, the 2006 Real Life
the 2008 To Survive
and the 2011 The Deep Field
. Her resume includes live performances and studio work with Lou Reed
, Tanya Donelly
, Sheryl Crow
, Sparklehorse
, Dave Gahan, Elton John
, the Scissor Sisters
, Antony and the Johnsons
, Guillemots
, Joseph Arthur
, Rufus Wainwright
, Fan Modine
and Lloyd Cole
.
, with a younger brother, Dan. She began piano lessons at age six, before starting her first violin lessons at age eight. Wasser played violin in school and community orchestras before leaving Norwalk for her college studies.
Wasser began her career during her studies at Boston University
where she was an early admittance student studying with the renowned Yuri Mazurkevich, who himself had studied under Russian violin virtuoso David Oistrakh
. She played with the Boston University Symphony Orchestra before joining local bands the Lotus Eaters, Hot Trix with Mary Timony
, and the Dambuilders
.
During her time in the Dambuilders, Wasser first began to make a name for herself in the indie rock world as she developed her aggressive style of playing, which led to work outside of the group. This work included a spot in Nathan Larson's side project, Mind Science of the Mind and ex-Fishbone
member Chris Dowd's Seedy Arkhestra. In the liner notes to an album by the latter, Dowd praised her as a "soulful mothafucka." In the late 1990s, Wasser began to explore more musical paths than those limited only to violin playing, adding guitar and keyboard parts to the Dambuilders recordings, singing vocals, as well as co-writing several songs. Some of these new explorations can be heard on the Dambuilders' Against the Stars; on both Luster and Itch It, Wasser wrote the lyrics and handled the lead vocals. Due to disillusionment, creative malaise, and a need to expand their respective musical horizons, the Dambuilders disbanded in October 1997.
In 1996, Wasser also made a record with her friend Nathan Larson called Mind Science of the Mind.
In May 1997, her boyfriend, musician Jeff Buckley
, drowned accidentally, in Memphis, Tennessee
. She continued to play with the Those Bastard Souls
, a solo project started in 1995 by a close friend of the couple, Dave Shouse of The Grifters. They made a record entitled "Debt and Departure" attempting to respond to Buckley's death. In late 1997 she created a band with the remaining members of Buckley's band called Black Beetle and finished an eponymous album which was never released. This was the first project where she was writing as well as fronting a band.
In 1999, Joan joined Antony and the Johnsons
. She contributed to their Mercury Prize
-winning album, I Am A Bird Now
. Joan has stated in interviews that being part of this band saved her life because of the nurturing effect of Antony and his "singularly beautiful voice".
The end of Black Beetle in June 2002 brought the beginning of Wasser's work as a solo artist and the creation of a new band, Joan as Police Woman. Wasser formed this new trio in New York City, with Ben Perowsky
on drums, percussion and backing vocals; Rainy Orteca on bass and backing vocals; and songwriter/vocalist Wasser on violin, keyboard, and guitar. Other musicians working with the group have included Maxim Moston and Charlie Burnham. The group self-released an eponymous EP in 2004.
In February 2004, Rufus Wainwright
asked her to join his band, tour extensively and open the shows with her new project. Her intimate songs and relaxed stage presence gained her notoriety and new fans.
In December 2005, Wasser signed a distribution deal with Reveal Records
, a British indie label, and subsequently released a 7" single as well as re-released Wasser's debut EP. Joan As Police Woman's full-length debut, Real Life
, was released in the UK on June 12, 2006 and released in EU, AU and Japan through PIAS
based out of Brussels. It was released in the USA on June 12, 2007 on Cheap Lullaby Records based in Los Angeles. In early 2008, Real Life
won in The 7th Annual Independent Music Awards
for Best Pop/Rock Album. The music video for the single Eternal Flame
, directed by Leah Meyerhoff
, was in rotation airing on MTV Europe.
In 2006, Wasser supported the Guillemots
on their spring tour, as well as contributing backing vocals and violin to the track "Redwings" on their debut album Through the Windowpane
.
Joan Wasser provides vocals and plays the violin on the song' Ballad of a Deadman' alongside David Sylvian
on Steve Jansen's album 'Slope' which was released in 2007.
Her second album, To Survive, was released in June 2008. It was recorded with Rainy Orteca and Parker Kindred
, old friend and drummer of her previous band, Black Beetle. The album reached #43 in Uncut's review of the year 2008, same as in Q Magazine's top 50.
Joan appeared as an advocate for Shostakovich on BBC World News classical music programme Visionaries http://www.visionariesdebate.com in August 2008.
With Rainy Orteca departing to pursue her own projects, Wasser and Kindred were joined by Timo Ellis
on bass guitar for touring in 2008.
At the end of her 2009 European tour, Wasser returned to New York to play a show and release a new album of cover songs, entitled Cover.
Joan is credited for playing piano, violin, and guitar, as well as contributing vocals on Lloyd Cole's
2010 release Broken Record.
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
world. She began her career playing violin with the Dambuilders
Dambuilders
-History:The Dambuilders was a band in the early 1990s Boston rock scene. The founding members - Dave Derby, Tryan George and Eric Masunaga - hail from Hawaii and had played in a number of bands before moving to Boston in 1990. The band began as the Dambuilders in Hawaii in a three-piece and...
. She has released three albums as a singer songwriter, the 2006 Real Life
Real Life (Joan As Police Woman album)
Real Life is the debut album by Joan as Police Woman, released on Reveal Records in the UK on June 12 2006, and a year later in the United States....
the 2008 To Survive
To Survive
To Survive is the second album by Joan as Police Woman. It was released on June 9, 2008, and made available on CD, LP and digital download....
and the 2011 The Deep Field
The Deep Field
The Deep Field is the fourth album by Joan As Police Woman and was released Jan 24, 2011.- Critical reception:The album has received positive reviews from critics...
. Her resume includes live performances and studio work with Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
, Tanya Donelly
Tanya Donelly
Tanya Donelly is an American Grammy-nominated singer songwriter and guitarist based in New England who co-founded Throwing Muses with her stepsister Kristin Hersh. She then went on to work in The Breeders and Belly in the 1990s...
, Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Suzanne Crow is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and actress. Her music incorporates elements of rock, folk, hip hop, country and pop...
, Sparklehorse
Sparklehorse
Sparklehorse was an American indie rock band led by the singer and multi-instrumentalist Mark Linkous.-History:Sparklehorse's first album, Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot featuring Bob Rupe of the Silos and Cracker, was a modest college radio success...
, Dave Gahan, Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, the Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters are an American band "spawned by the scuzzy, gay nightlife scene of New York" who took their name from a sexual position between two women also known as tribadism...
, Antony and the Johnsons
Antony and the Johnsons
Antony and the Johnsons is a music group presenting the work of Antony Hegarty and his collaborators.-Career:British experimental musician David Tibet of Current 93 heard a demo and offered to release Antony's music through his Durtro label. The debut album, Antony and the Johnsons, was released...
, Guillemots
Guillemots (band)
Guillemots are a BRIT Award nominated indie rock band formed in November 2004 by Fyfe Dangerfield. The band consists of 4 members: Fyfe Dangerfield, MC Lord Magrão, Aristazabal Hawkes & Greig Stewart. Although formed in Birmingham and now based in London, the band's members have been compiled from...
, Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur is an American singer-songwriter and artist from Akron, Ohio. Combining poetic lyrics with a layered sonic palette, Arthur has built his reputation over the years through critically acclaimed releases and constant touring; his unique solo live performances incorporate the use of a...
, Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright
Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright is an American-Canadian singer-songwriter. He has recorded six albums of original music, EPs, and tracks on compilations and film soundtracks.-Early years:...
, Fan Modine
Fan Modine
Fan Modine is an American indie pop band, whose core member is singer and songwriter Gordon Zacharias. Originally based in Boston, Zacharias has lived in Carrboro, North Carolina since 2001....
and Lloyd Cole
Lloyd Cole
Lloyd Cole is an English singer and songwriter, known for his role as lead singer of Lloyd Cole and the Commotions from 1984 to 1989, and for his subsequent solo work.-Early life:...
.
Biography
Wasser was raised in Norwalk, ConnecticutNorwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the city is 85,603, making Norwalk sixth in population in Connecticut, and third in Fairfield County...
, with a younger brother, Dan. She began piano lessons at age six, before starting her first violin lessons at age eight. Wasser played violin in school and community orchestras before leaving Norwalk for her college studies.
Wasser began her career during her studies at Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
where she was an early admittance student studying with the renowned Yuri Mazurkevich, who himself had studied under Russian violin virtuoso David Oistrakh
David Oistrakh
David Fyodorovich Oistrakh , , David Fiodorović Ojstrakh, ; – October 24, 1974, was a Soviet violinist....
. She played with the Boston University Symphony Orchestra before joining local bands the Lotus Eaters, Hot Trix with Mary Timony
Mary Timony
Mary B. Timony is an American independent singer-songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist, and violist. She was a member of the bands Helium and Autoclave, and currently plays in Wild Flag.-Biography:...
, and the Dambuilders
Dambuilders
-History:The Dambuilders was a band in the early 1990s Boston rock scene. The founding members - Dave Derby, Tryan George and Eric Masunaga - hail from Hawaii and had played in a number of bands before moving to Boston in 1990. The band began as the Dambuilders in Hawaii in a three-piece and...
.
During her time in the Dambuilders, Wasser first began to make a name for herself in the indie rock world as she developed her aggressive style of playing, which led to work outside of the group. This work included a spot in Nathan Larson's side project, Mind Science of the Mind and ex-Fishbone
Fishbone
Fishbone is a U.S. alternative rock band formed in 1979 in Los Angeles, California, which plays a fusion of ska, punk rock, funk, hard rock and soul. Critics have noted of the band: "Fishbone was one of the most distinctive and eclectic alternative rock bands of the late '80s...
member Chris Dowd's Seedy Arkhestra. In the liner notes to an album by the latter, Dowd praised her as a "soulful mothafucka." In the late 1990s, Wasser began to explore more musical paths than those limited only to violin playing, adding guitar and keyboard parts to the Dambuilders recordings, singing vocals, as well as co-writing several songs. Some of these new explorations can be heard on the Dambuilders' Against the Stars; on both Luster and Itch It, Wasser wrote the lyrics and handled the lead vocals. Due to disillusionment, creative malaise, and a need to expand their respective musical horizons, the Dambuilders disbanded in October 1997.
In 1996, Wasser also made a record with her friend Nathan Larson called Mind Science of the Mind.
In May 1997, her boyfriend, musician Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeffrey Scott "Jeff" Buckley , raised as Scotty Moorhead, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He was the son of Tim Buckley, also a musician...
, drowned accidentally, in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
. She continued to play with the Those Bastard Souls
Those Bastard Souls
-Side band:An independent rock band formed in 1995 as a solo side project by David Shouse of The Grifters. The name, somewhat of a nod to These Immortal Souls, was one that David Shouse coined as a replacement for A Band Called Bud, the original name of the Grifters...
, a solo project started in 1995 by a close friend of the couple, Dave Shouse of The Grifters. They made a record entitled "Debt and Departure" attempting to respond to Buckley's death. In late 1997 she created a band with the remaining members of Buckley's band called Black Beetle and finished an eponymous album which was never released. This was the first project where she was writing as well as fronting a band.
In 1999, Joan joined Antony and the Johnsons
Antony and the Johnsons
Antony and the Johnsons is a music group presenting the work of Antony Hegarty and his collaborators.-Career:British experimental musician David Tibet of Current 93 heard a demo and offered to release Antony's music through his Durtro label. The debut album, Antony and the Johnsons, was released...
. She contributed to their Mercury Prize
Mercury Prize
The Mercury Prize, formerly called the Mercury Music Prize and currently known as the Barclaycard Mercury Prize for sponsorship reasons, is an annual music prize awarded for the best album from the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was established by the British Phonographic Industry and British...
-winning album, I Am A Bird Now
I Am a Bird Now
I Am a Bird Now is the second album by New York City band Antony and the Johnsons. It won the Mercury Music Prize on September 6, 2005. After winning the prize, the album shot up the UK albums chart from #135 to #16 in one week, the biggest jump in the history of the Mercury Music Prize...
. Joan has stated in interviews that being part of this band saved her life because of the nurturing effect of Antony and his "singularly beautiful voice".
The end of Black Beetle in June 2002 brought the beginning of Wasser's work as a solo artist and the creation of a new band, Joan as Police Woman. Wasser formed this new trio in New York City, with Ben Perowsky
Ben Perowsky
Ben Perowsky is a New York City based drummer, percussionist, composer, arranger and record producer.-Biography:Exposed early on to jazz from his parents, Frank and Ginger Perowsky, and teacher Bobby Thomas, as well as rock and roll from his older brother Ricky, Ben watched the great musicians...
on drums, percussion and backing vocals; Rainy Orteca on bass and backing vocals; and songwriter/vocalist Wasser on violin, keyboard, and guitar. Other musicians working with the group have included Maxim Moston and Charlie Burnham. The group self-released an eponymous EP in 2004.
In February 2004, Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright
Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright is an American-Canadian singer-songwriter. He has recorded six albums of original music, EPs, and tracks on compilations and film soundtracks.-Early years:...
asked her to join his band, tour extensively and open the shows with her new project. Her intimate songs and relaxed stage presence gained her notoriety and new fans.
In December 2005, Wasser signed a distribution deal with Reveal Records
Reveal Records
Reveal Records started life as an independent music retailer in Derby, England. It won Music Week's "Best Independent Music Retailer 2005"and was nominated for best indie in 2006 and 2007 while they also set up a record label called Reveal Records Label with artists such as Joan as Policewoman,...
, a British indie label, and subsequently released a 7" single as well as re-released Wasser's debut EP. Joan As Police Woman's full-length debut, Real Life
Real Life (Joan As Police Woman album)
Real Life is the debut album by Joan as Police Woman, released on Reveal Records in the UK on June 12 2006, and a year later in the United States....
, was released in the UK on June 12, 2006 and released in EU, AU and Japan through PIAS
PIAS
-Abbreviations:* PIAS Entertainment Group** Pln, Sam, an independent record label based in London and owned by the PIAS Entertainment Group** PIAS Recordings, an international recoro known as Play it Again, Sam Records...
based out of Brussels. It was released in the USA on June 12, 2007 on Cheap Lullaby Records based in Los Angeles. In early 2008, Real Life
Real Life (Joan As Police Woman album)
Real Life is the debut album by Joan as Police Woman, released on Reveal Records in the UK on June 12 2006, and a year later in the United States....
won in The 7th Annual Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories....
for Best Pop/Rock Album. The music video for the single Eternal Flame
Eternal Flame (video)
Eternal Flame is a music video for Joan As Police Woman directed by Leah Meyerhoff and currently airing on MTV Europe.-Synopsis:Welcome to a world where mermaids dance with octopi, fire breathers rule the night, and the Statue of Liberty knows how to sing. Girls are buried up to their necks in sand...
, directed by Leah Meyerhoff
Leah Meyerhoff
Leah Meyerhoff is a Student Academy Award nominated director, producer and screenwriter. Her films have screened in over 200 film festivals worldwide and won over a dozen international awards.-Biography:...
, was in rotation airing on MTV Europe.
In 2006, Wasser supported the Guillemots
Guillemots (band)
Guillemots are a BRIT Award nominated indie rock band formed in November 2004 by Fyfe Dangerfield. The band consists of 4 members: Fyfe Dangerfield, MC Lord Magrão, Aristazabal Hawkes & Greig Stewart. Although formed in Birmingham and now based in London, the band's members have been compiled from...
on their spring tour, as well as contributing backing vocals and violin to the track "Redwings" on their debut album Through the Windowpane
Through the Windowpane
Through the Windowpane is the debut full-length album from the British indie rock band Guillemots. It was released on July 10, 2006 in the United Kingdom and reached number 17 in the UK Album Chart. The album was highly anticipated following the strength of the singles "Trains to Brazil" and...
.
Joan Wasser provides vocals and plays the violin on the song' Ballad of a Deadman' alongside David Sylvian
David Sylvian
David Sylvian is an English singer-songwriter and musician who came to prominence in the late 1970s as the lead vocalist and main songwriter in the group Japan...
on Steve Jansen's album 'Slope' which was released in 2007.
Her second album, To Survive, was released in June 2008. It was recorded with Rainy Orteca and Parker Kindred
Parker Kindred
Parker Kindred is an American drummer who played in the band of Jeff Buckley, appearing on his unfinished second album, Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk in 1997, as well as playing live with Buckley and the rest of his band at Arlene's Grocery on February 9, 1997...
, old friend and drummer of her previous band, Black Beetle. The album reached #43 in Uncut's review of the year 2008, same as in Q Magazine's top 50.
Joan appeared as an advocate for Shostakovich on BBC World News classical music programme Visionaries http://www.visionariesdebate.com in August 2008.
With Rainy Orteca departing to pursue her own projects, Wasser and Kindred were joined by Timo Ellis
Timo Ellis
Timothy K. "Timo" Ellis is a multi-instrumentalist and record producer from New York City, currently in the bands The Netherlands and Joan as Police Woman. He also runs a commercial music company called 70% Water Music as well as his personal label Records and Tapes Records.Ellis attended Evergreen...
on bass guitar for touring in 2008.
At the end of her 2009 European tour, Wasser returned to New York to play a show and release a new album of cover songs, entitled Cover.
Joan is credited for playing piano, violin, and guitar, as well as contributing vocals on Lloyd Cole's
Lloyd Cole
Lloyd Cole is an English singer and songwriter, known for his role as lead singer of Lloyd Cole and the Commotions from 1984 to 1989, and for his subsequent solo work.-Early life:...
2010 release Broken Record.
Albums
- Real LifeReal Life (Joan As Police Woman album)Real Life is the debut album by Joan as Police Woman, released on Reveal Records in the UK on June 12 2006, and a year later in the United States....
- (June 12, 2006 - CD, Ltd. CD & LP) UK #169 - To SurviveTo SurviveTo Survive is the second album by Joan as Police Woman. It was released on June 9, 2008, and made available on CD, LP and digital download....
- (June 9, 2008 - CD, LP, Digital Download) UK #56 - Cover - (available at live shows and exclusively from Reveal Records - 2009 )
- The Deep FieldThe Deep FieldThe Deep Field is the fourth album by Joan As Police Woman and was released Jan 24, 2011.- Critical reception:The album has received positive reviews from critics...
- (January 25, 2011) UK #40
EPs
- Joan as Police Woman - (2004 - CD)
- Joan as Police Woman - (February 27, 2006 - Expanded CD & LP)
Singles
- My Gurl - (January 23, 2006 - 7")
- The Ride - (May 29, 2006 - CD & 7")
- Eternal Flame - (August 7, 2006 - CD & 7")
- Christobel - (October 23, 2006 - Limited Edition CD (1000 copies) & 7")
- Flushed Chest - (April 16, 2007 - Limited Edition 7" Vinyl, Digital Download)
- Real Life - (July 16, 2007 - Limited Edition CD (1000 copies)
- To Be Loved - (June 2, 2008 - Limited Edition 7" Vinyl, Digital Download)
- Holiday - September 22, 2008 - Limited Edition 7" Vinyl, Digital Download
- To America (with Rufus WainwrightRufus WainwrightRufus McGarrigle Wainwright is an American-Canadian singer-songwriter. He has recorded six albums of original music, EPs, and tracks on compilations and film soundtracks.-Early years:...
) - (December 1, 2008) - Digital Download - Start Of My Heart - February 14, 2009 - Video Single, Digital Download
- The Magic - January 18, 2011
- Nervous - April 10, 2011
Compilation appearances
- 2003: Jane Magazine compilation
- 2007: Back to MineBack to MineBack to Mine is a series of mix albums, usually mixed by renowned DJs or composers of electronic music. The compilations usually feature artists other than the artist compiling the album, and are based on what the artist would play at home after a night out, rather than as part of a nightclub...
: GuillemotsGuillemots (band)Guillemots are a BRIT Award nominated indie rock band formed in November 2004 by Fyfe Dangerfield. The band consists of 4 members: Fyfe Dangerfield, MC Lord Magrão, Aristazabal Hawkes & Greig Stewart. Although formed in Birmingham and now based in London, the band's members have been compiled from...
("The Ride") - 2008: MojoMojo (magazine)MOJO is a popular music magazine published initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer, monthly in the United Kingdom. Following the success of the magazine Q, publishers Emap were looking for a title which would cater for the burgeoning interest in classic rock music...
Presents The White AlbumThe Beatles (album)The Beatles is the ninth official album by the English rock group The Beatles, a double album released in 1968. It is also commonly known as "The White Album" as it has no graphics or text other than the band's name embossed on its plain white sleeve.The album was written and recorded during a...
Recovered Vol. 1 ("I Will")