Ana Popovic Talks Guitars, Motherhood, and How Music Saved Her

The video to blues rock musician Ana Popovic’s latest single “Hurts So Good” is sexy, with Popovic slinking along in a skintight body suit between the song’s acoustic-guitar intro lick and the moment her smoky, rich vocals kick in. As I listen and watch, I can’t help but imagine myself swaying to the beat in a dark nightclub, drinking Cabernet with the players.

The Stratocaster-wielding Popovic is nothing less than a badass mother, who seems to be savoring life in the midst of releasing her 12^th studio album, Dance To The Rhythm.

Yet while Popovic seems to have it all — the guitar prowess, and vocal chops, the confidence — it wasn’t too long ago that the life fans see felt unattainable. In 2020, the artist was diagnosed with breast cancer and endured 14 rounds of chemotherapy. The experience, in the midst of Covid, clearly tested her courage. But she walked away more grateful than ever for her career as a musician.

“Music is my ‘soulution’ as one of my song’s titles calls it,’” Popovic tells Rockmommy. “When your mind can find a focus and a drive, you can survive the most difficult situations.”

We recently caught up with Popovic between tour stops to learn more about the inspiration for the record, parenting, and life on tour.

Rockmommy: Hi Ana! Congrats on the new single (“Hurts So Good”)! As fellow a guitarist (and mom) who grew up in the 1980s, I’m particularly impressed with your career journey! Can you tell Rockmommy readers what it was like growing up in Serbia?

Ana Popovic: Our home was filled with great music, art books, music and guitar magazines and books, and gear. My mom and dad hosted parties and jam sessions and I remember just music and jamming during the 80’s and 90’s – very creative times. We took time to listen and analyze the recordings, music in movies, and right about that time I had my first tryouts in writing songs as well, that’s where it all started. 

Rockmommy:  Were there a lot of female guitarists (internationally or in the U.S.) in particular, who inspired your journey?

Ana Popovic: Well I listened to a lot of male guitar players at that time, BB king and Albert King, and Albert Collins, and Robert Cray, and Hendrix, Clapton, bands like Bad Company and Free, Elmore James. But, Bonnie Raitt was just looking and sounding marvelous, and I really admired her for being in that male dominated world and leaving her mark. 

Rockmommy: What was the moment when you realized that only music would work as your main gig?

Ana Popovic: I moved to Holland to study music, I couldn’t work – had no work permit, and life was expensive and I had to survive. But studying music allowed me to work — in music —legally for 10 hours a week. While it was a gray area what’s 10 hours a week in music, I liked to see it as at least 6 gigs of 90 min, that gave me the drive and the confidence to knock on the doors of local booking agents and to leave my cd with a note — “I want to play” [and] “I need a gig.” After sitting in with some local Dutch blues bands, I started getting gigs and there was a need to form my own band. That’s how it all started: The Ana Popovic Band.

Rockmommy: Your journey has been filled with a lot of ups and downs, and 2020 seemed like a particularly challenging year for you. Can you talk about how you managed to find creative inspiration during that time? What does it mean to you to have survived cancer?

Ana Popovic: I like to see my journey as definitely more ups than downs, but 2020 was a challenge. Music was my guide. And it still is through any difficult times. Music is my ‘soulution’ as one of my song’s titles calls it. When your mind can find a focus and a drive, you can survive the most difficult situations.

I made the making of music my mission. And every dark thought — if it would happen — I would transfer it , with ease, to the thoughts of making music. How the next record is gonna sound? What studio? Who on drums? Horn section? Lyrics… all of that. It would ease my mind, my anxiety, and make me a happy person in-spite the challenges.

And of course, my children are my biggest drive. They are by far my biggest inspiration in life. 

Rockmommy: Your latest single, “Hurts So Good” is sexy, but from my perspective, it’s also really empowering! What inspired this song, and your latest album Dance To The Rhythm? 

Ana Popovic: I didn’t write the song but when I got the demo I immediately connected with it. I just like the playfulness and the strong statement of a woman that knows what she wants , and more importantly- knows what she doesn’t want. It’s a revenge song. Done in a sexy and cute way. It went through some metamorphosis — we recorded it as a full-on funk track, rock track, to finally strip it down to acoustic guitar, and laid back, basement vibe, few friends gather together and just a chill, night-time song. Something I haven’t had in my catalog before. I took my Martin D-28 for this occasion and just laid out a cool acoustic guitar part.

Rockmommy: You are a mom, too! How do you balance family time with touring and recording? Do you think it’s harder for mom musicians (say, than dad musicians)?

Ana Popovic: I don’t think it’s harder for moms than dads. There are some very, very devoted dad’ out there. But it was particularly hard for me to tour and leave them when they were little. Now, and for some years, I managed to find the right amount of mix between being on the road (10-day tours, max) and being with them at home. That time, at home, is very important, as I like to be 100% present when I’m there. That means full attention — not jam sessions and going out, catching every happening in town. I’m a mom — as you guys say it, a rock mommy — and if I wanna see a concert, I take them with me.

They are the perfect age to do all kinds of fun stuff with them. My daughter just danced in one of my music videos, we play beach volleyball, go to yoga classes. My son loves music and we go and see concerts, everything from Stevie Wonder to John Mayer. I just love my free time at home and wouldn’t change it for any gig! I think being able to have both things in my life is a true blessing. 

Rockmommy: The Stratocaster is your main guitar! What was it about the Strat that made you say “yes, yes, that’s the one!” (I am a Strat owner too and have deep feelings for why I prefer it over my Telecaster!). ;)

Ana Popovic: Haha that’s funny. It always been my guitar and I too prefer it over the tele: it’s just the flexibility of the sound and way you can make it sound modern when you want to or super roots and bluesy in other times. It reacts certain way to my strumming of the strings and I feel in control of the instrument. It’s a true extension of my body in a most accurate way. I love the neck shape and body shape. I was always fascinated by it, ever since I was a little girl back in Serbia and wanted to play it. 

[SEE RELATED: Samantha Fish, Armed with Gibson ES-335 Dream Guitar, Releases New Album]

Rockmommy: What are your tips for other musician moms (who either play and tour full time or as a second job)?

Ana Popovic: It’s not gonna be easy to juggle it all, but it’s very possible. You need a person in your life that’s gonna support you and understand you. It’s doable to the extend where you don’t need to give up the wish for a family in order to have a career. 

I would say, embrace all that life brings, and enjoy it. Sitting at home on the couch with the kids and thinking, ‘oh what am I missing out in the city?’ Nope. Be present: and then when mom needs to go and work — that’s because mom needs to make money and because this work is making her happy. So no guilty feelings. Kids understand more than you think.