Ana Popovic in interview : “Dance to the rhythm of life!”

On October 31, Ana Popovic will release Dance To The Rhythm, her thirteenth album. Following in the footsteps of her album Power, released two years ago, the Serbian guitarist and singer reaffirms her desire to “make people move and touch them.” That goal is achieved with 10 tracks showcasing remarkable production!

Crafted over two years between studio sessions and touring, the album features a large ensemble with horns, backing vocals and keyboards to recreate on record the vibrant energy of the stage.

A seven-time Blues Music Award winner and praised by Bruce Springsteen, who called her “one hell of a guitar player,” Ana Popovic also carries a message of empowerment and balance, inviting everyone to “dance to the rhythm of life.” After a brief appearance in France this summer opening for Robert Plant’s concert in Vienne (read our live report), she will present this new repertoire on tour starting in November, including several dates in France.

🎤 Ana Popovic in an exclusive interview

Hello Ana. The last time I saw you in concert was this summer, opening for Robert Plant in Vienne. What memories do you keep from that show?

That was a fantastic show. I am a huge fan of Robert, and have continuous admiration for him, primarily because he didn’t stop where Led Zeppelin stopped. He isn’t stuck in that era. He kept evolving as a musician, and bringing the new sound to his fans.

Is Led Zeppelin an influence for you?

I was a fan of them back in my teens. Who wasn’t?

Maybe one day we’ll have the pleasure of hearing you cover a Led Zeppelin song, just like you did with the Paul Simon classic “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” on your new album. That cover is brilliant! Could you say a word about this track?

That’s an incredible song. And the first Paul Simon song that I covered. I am a huge fan of all of his music. He’s one of the music treasures of this century. Lyric-wise – going through a divorce myself – those lyrics definitely resonated with me, and kept me going when it was hard, as they speak truth. I do believe that it’s very human and it’s the right thing to do, to peacefully (!!) give each other freedom, if that’s what’s on the menu. If there’s no energy left for change (on both sides) in order to make the relationship work, then you shouldn’t be ashamed to take that step, and re-shape your life, and welcome the change as something positive. And do it gracefully and without the drama. Just like Paul Simon says: “Just slip out the back, Jack.”

Musically, when deciding how to approach this song, we discussed: how do you alter that, but keep the essence of the song? We decided to change the chorus and go into something away from the 70s hippy chorus, more in the soul/gospel direction. I think the result is marvelous, and I can’t wait to play it live with my big band.

“It’s a great listening record, very suitable for making a great live set”

As we’ve just mentioned, Dance To The Rhythm is your 13th studio album. What sets it apart from your previous records?

It just kept evolving where our previous record Power ended. It’s an evolution of the sound that started with Power. It goes into uncharted territory, dance songs (title track, Sho’Nuf), some Santana-like / War-like / soul-meets-world music kind of thing (Solution / Sisters And Brothers). All drenched in big choruses, tight arrangements. It’s a great listening record, but at the same time, very suitable for making a great live set out of it.

Personally, I was blown away by the production work, the sound is fabulous, and the arrangements are so refined! The record was produced and arranged by you and Buthel, your longtime bassist. Would you say this collaboration was key to the album?

Absolutely. We are a good team and we’re on a mission. We want to deliver the sound that we have in our minds, in our hearts. Although we grew up in completely different places, me in Serbia and him in Michigan, we have a strong feel for the same music: soul music, funk, stage sound that we want to achieve and the record production that we want. It’s an easy trajectory, as we pretty much know what we want.

The album blends modern blues, funk, soul, rock, and R&B. What’s your recipe for this musical cocktail?

We want to move people. To touch people. People have so many options, to buy so many records. It’s an overload of music out there. But if they buy THIS record, they’re gonna get state-of-the-art production, songs that are gonna open their musical horizons, inspire them, and take them places. Our recipe is: it’s all music. Never let go of that “blue note” that connects it all, and is a fine lining underneath our sound.

Most of the songs were co-written with Corey LaDell Burns, and some with J. Sabin. How did the writing process unfold? Did you work together in the studio, remotely, or through jam sessions?

Buthel (Corey) and I, in this case, laid the basic tracks with the session drummer, back when there were no songs, no lyrics present, apart from a few lines. We created all the grooves for all the songs, while mumbling the alternate lyrics. Then our work began. We made the verses, wrote lyrics, sang the choruses, while we had our morning walks on tour, or in LA, or in Dallas, Detroit… This is a two-year process.

We go in the studio, we lay some verses, we lay some guitars, we keep going. Recording/re-recording. Then when the songs are almost ready, we pick the keyboardists – based on their style of playing (either my longtime keyboard player Michele Papadia, who’s been with me for 20 years, or Jeremy Thomas, our US keyboardist/drummer). Then we pick the horns (either our US or our EU horn sections). All the extras – background vocalists, percussionists, etc. – come in, and then we mix the record.

Musically, we hear a horn section, several drummers, background vocals… After your Fantastafunk project, it’s clear that you love being surrounded and well surrounded!

That’s right. This record, as well as our previous record, both Power and Dance To The Rhythm, were made because we wanted some great music for our big band. We wanted these people to heavily enjoy the music we will be playing live, with 11 of us!

The background vocals, in particular, play a very important role…

We make big songs, with big hook lines. I love writing for background vocalists, as I believe my hook lines are the most important parts of the song, and should be treated that way.

“Dance to the rhythm of life”

The album title, Dance To The Rhythm, evokes something very positive and uplifting. What message does it carry for you?

Dance with me, as I love to dance, and also, most importantly: dance to the rhythm of life. Whatever life throws at you, get on the positive track. Make the best of it. Ride that wave.

On the album there’s a beautiful breath of fresh air with “Hurt So Good”, featuring acoustic guitar. We don’t usually hear you in this register, and yet it’s a total success!

Yes, a whole new sound from me, that has always been inside of me. It’s all in me. I just like to make the effort to awaken it. To make it accessible for people, for my audience and fans. They should hear it and experience it. I love “Hurt So Good.” It went through some changes, as we recorded a full-on funk version, and a rock version, and finally stripped it down to this mainstream, cool, vibe-y, acoustic nighttime song. I love the subject, it’s a revenge song, a woman that knows what she wants and, most importantly, knows what she doesn’t want and takes her life in a new direction, cutting herself loose from her lover.

You often say that empowerment is at the heart of your art. How does this album reflect that idea? Do you feel there is always a feminist dimension in your music?

I am in line with many women in my family, down from my great-great-grandmothers, through my grandmothers, my mom, who were feminists, not in a harsh way, but just, they were fighting for their space in time and in Serbian society, where it used to be a 100% male macho culture. So I simply can’t turn around and not be in favor of these ideas. I think equal is good where men and women get to live to their full potential. But yes, my records always carry support for the women who have difficulties fighting their way to independence because of the current social setup and requirements.

The current state of the world shows us that this message is more relevant than ever. Is that something that worries you?

Yes, the current state of the world worries me very much. But I believe in youth, and I have faith that the next generation that comes after us – once they are old enough to make rules and vote – will be able to fix our mistakes.

Does music have a role to play for you? Is it the “soulution,” as you put it on the album? What is the message behind that song?

Music is the absolute SOULUTION. That song is about running checks – check if you’re still humble, check if you’ve got your two feet on the ground, if you’re not just running around trying to satisfy the greed, trying to satisfy the vanity, the so-called “importance” of the moment. Find that soul’ution inside your own soul, and do a check: are you still where you would have wanted to be back when you were innocent and young? What were your ideals? And where are you now?

The album will be released in September/October 2025. What are your touring plans to support it?

We’ll tour with pleasure and excitement as we love the songs. We’ll feature all the key musicians and have fun while doing it.

Thank you Ana! Any final words you’d like to add?

Come and be a part of this new stage in my music life and dance with me to the rhythm.

🎧 Listen to “Dance to the Rhythm” on Spotify