Joan Wasser is a law unto herself

Joan Wasser, who records as Joan As Policewoman, is going her own way with a new, groovy, soulful sound, says Ed Power.

Joan Wasser loves the open road. “We’ve been touring five weeks now and are ready to see our homes. But we’ve been having an amazing time,” says the New York songwriter, who records as Joan As Policewoman. “My new material is pretty upbeat, so that’s good. Not that it truly matters. It’s fun playing, regardless.”

Wasser is promoting her fourth studio album, a soulful collection called, with justifiable confidence, The Classic. It showcases a different side to Wasser: influences include Memphis funk and storied labels such as Stax and Motown. She’s getting her groove on. Many fans believe it is her finest work to date. “People have called it a soul record,” she says. “I wasn’t really going for any sound, in particular. I just write the songs I feel like writing. That is the long and the short of it.”