Serbian-born and L.A.-based blues star Ana Popovic has always had a reputation as a top guitar ace. She was the only female guitarist on the Experience Hendrix tour for five recent years, trading licks with the likes of Buddy Guy, Eric Johnson, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and more. Bruce Springsteen called her in typical Brucian-fashion “one helluva guitar player”. But Popovic has always been more than that and has always strived to evolve and follow her muse.
From her first album Hush in 2001, there were signs that the singer-songwriter had broad taste and could dive into a slow blues or jazz ballad. Her last album Power made it to #1 on the Billboard blues album chart and also garnered her Blues Music Award nominations for Album and Artist of the Year. Now on her 12th studio album, Dance To The Rhythm, she continues challenges the audience to have big ears, as her styles range from blues and pop to latin jazz, gospel, and Steely Dan-type fusion. “We have a few good dance songs on here with guitar, which is very new, I don’t think many people do that,” Popovic said. She also noted that the percussive music of bands like War was an inspiration on this one. The album will be released on streaming services September 26 and physical formats shortly after. On the recent single “Worked Up”, Popovic utilizes a horn section and backup singers to get concert goers on the dance floor. The first single off the new album “Hurts So Good” is a mid-tempo revenge song that features some latin-tinged acoustic guitar.
Popovic has altered her band size and composition throughout this year, performing with four and six-piece configurations and with an enjoyable eleven-piece outfit she calls Fantastafunk, which includes horns, singers from the Detroit gospel scene, and organ. “It’s inspirational…I love it all, the constant change. The songs can take all of it. They can take as little and as much as I can bring on the road with me. Our core is six-piece and then I add to it,” Popovic said.
Popovic recently blitzed through Europe and the U.S. blues festival scene. She is launching a national tour to support the new album that will run through December, including locals stops at Sony Hall in New York on October 1 and the Newton Theater in New Jersey on Oct. 4.
Ana Popovic “Hurts So Good”:
Ana Popovic live with Fantastafunk at W.C. Handy Blues Festival 2025:
Ana Popovic “Worked Up”:
Ana Popovic “Can’t You See What You’re Doing To Me”:
You can SEE Dave Popkin's entire interview with Ana Popovic below.
