You’ve collaborated with some amazing people over the years. What’s been your most fulfilling working partnership? 

It's hard to say because it's, like, what's your favourite love affair? They're all so special and super different. For me, I'm always so happy to be in a room with someone I've never played with, because music is reflective of one's entire life. It feels so intimate. I want to completely open myself and have as little expectation as possible.

One of the most satisfying things about your work is your restless experimentation. Are you consciously changing your style from album to album?

If there's one thing I’m trying not to do is think, because I feel like it limits me. The potential of this moment is getting crushed by thoughts, you know, so I try to really stop thinking and allow the music to take me where it does. I can trust the music to take me to the place. 

You don’t own a television. Have you ever been tempted to buy one?

I had to have an operation last year (I'm totally fine). I spent a couple of weeks in bed, and my friend gave me her old TV and it was so novel. And then immediately after I recovered, I got rid of it because it's just taking up space. I will never watch it again. I live alone and I only see films in the movie theatre, so when I do see a film, I'm fucking blown away.

You’ve dropped quite a few cover albums throughout your career. What makes a good cover version?

I won't cover a song unless I feel like I can bring some something new to it. I have no interest in making a wedding band version of the song. It doesn’t have to be a song I love, but one I can flip over in some way.

Joan As Police Woman will play Summerhall, Edinburgh, on Wednesday 22 June; The Solution Is Restless is out now via PIAS.