Petra Haden (born New York City, October 11, 1971) is an American violinist and singer. She is or has been a member of several bands, including that dog., The Rentals and The Decemberists; has contributed to recordings by Beck, Mike Watt, Luscious Jackson, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Victoria Williams and Yuka Honda. She is the daughter of the jazz bassist Charlie Haden; the triplet sister of bassist Rachel Haden (her bandmate in that dog.) and cellist Tanya Haden (married to comedian Jack Black) with whom she has performed as The Haden Triplets; and the sister of bassist-singer Josh Haden, formerly leader of the group Spain. In 2000, Petra was struck by a car while crossing a street in Los Angeles; the resulting injuries forced her out of performance for several months.
In 1999 she released her first album, Imaginaryland, consisting mostly of a capella covers. In 2005 she released the home-recorded album Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out (Bar/None), a complete a cappella rendition of The Who Sell Out. The project was suggested to Haden by longtime friend Mike Watt, who also gave her the eight-channel multi-track cassette recorder she used to make it.
She has also released a self-titled collaboration with contemporary jazz musician Bill Frisell, and a collaboration with accordionist Miss Murgatroid (otherwise known as photographer Alicia J. Rose) entitled Bella Neurox.
