Continuing the celebration of her new album ‘Real Life Evolution’, released via UK label Reveal Records, NYC singer-songwriter Joan As Police Woman has teamed up with the illustrious Iggy Pop on ‘Save Me’. The track is one of ten fresh interpretations of songs from Joan’s 2006 debut ‘Real Life’ album, reimagined two decades after its original release with a new cast of collaborators and released exactly 20 years from her debut.
Joan Wasser, known as Joan As Police Woman since 2004, is a critically acclaimed musician and producer, and a sought-after collaborator, dubbed “the coolest woman in pop” (The Times) and “one of the 21st century’s best musicians” (The Economist). As a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, her music defies easy categorization, crafting her own sound that blends various genres.
“Some transformations are subtle. Others are seismic. All of them were made with an entirely new cast of collaborators. Among them are two extraordinary vocalists. The inimitable Iggy Pop — whose band I’ve had the privilege of touring with, playing keys and singing — recorded a stunning version of ‘Save Me’ while we were on the road in New Zealand. We had to work around the birds outside, who apparently had strong opinions about the session. Then there’s Krystle Warren, a true original and one of my favorite singers alive. Her voice is so deeply soulful that ‘I Defy’ feels like it thoroughly enjoyed easily slipping into its brand new groove,” says Joan.
Music has a way of taking on a life of its own, evolving and revealing new meaning as the years pass. Through countless performances, the new renditions on this extraordinary album are brought to life by the brilliance of the players who helped define their sound. This remarkable opportunity to hear Joan return to the music that helped define her artistic journey brings new perspective, texture, and energy to songs that have already stood the test of time.
“My friend’s reaction when I told them who sang this? “Iggy Fucking Pop”?? And yes, I am lucky enough to have been able to record him in a professional studio in New Zealand (a hotel room next to the pool on a day off). Thank goodness for portable recording rigs,” explains Joan Wasser.
“To me, Iggy is one of the great romantics. A few years ago, when I joined his band on Wurlitzer organ and vocals, I began to weep while in rehearsal for The Passenger. His voice is simply one of the greatest of all time. It holds a commanding masculinity alongside a profound connection to the fully range of human experience. This song carries that same quality I’ve always heard in him: a raw, aching desperation that few singers can touch. I am forever grateful to the “Godfather of Punk”.
The Real Life Anniversary Sessions video for ‘Save’ Me’ was filmed at The Owl Music Parlor in Brooklyn by Ehud Lazin, and recorded by Adam Sachs as Joan is accompanied by Jeremy Gustin on drums and Will Graefe on guitar and vocals, the ‘Real Life Anniversary Sessions)’ video. Earlier, Joan shared similar intimate versions of ‘Feed The Light’, ‘Eternal Flame’, ‘Flushed Chest‘, ‘The Ride’, ‘Anyone’, the title track ‘Real Life’, ‘I Defy’, and the most recent offering in this series – ‘Christobel’.
“Will Graefe brings his emotionally masterful guitar work and Jeremy Gustin his remarkable rhythmic sensibility to several tracks. Parker Kindred’s inventive drum creations were the spark behind others. Thomas Bartlett unlocked a new dimension of the title track — honoring its original feeling while casting it in a warmer, amber light — and added Rhodes bass throughout,” says Joan.
“This album gave me the chance to reunite, decades on, with upright bassist Tony Scherr, guitarist Oren Bloedow, and funk bassist Danny Blume — musicians whose artistry has only deepened with time.”
Joan As Police Woman has released ten albums of original material, two cover albums, and an anthology. She has recorded and performed with hundreds of artists, including Afrobeat legend Tony Allen, Lou Reed, Anohni & The Johnsons, Meshell Ndegeocello, Rufus Wainwright, John Cale, David Byrne, Dave Okumu, Chris Dowd, Lau, Scissor Sisters, Sparklehorse, Beck, Laurie Anderson, Lloyd Cole, Afel Bocoum, Dave Gahan, Tanya Donelly, Damon Albarn and Gorillaz.
‘Real Life Evolution’ is out everywhere digitally and on CD and Limited Edition exclusive red marble vinyl on Bandcamp. Tickets for Joan’s ‘Real Life 20th Anniversary Tour’ — in November 2026 and February 2027 — can be ordered at www.joanaspolicewoman.com/tour.
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