Ana Popović: The Electrifying Voice of Modern Blues Rock

Ana Popović is a Serbian-born guitarist and singer-songwriter who has carved a formidable international career in contemporary blues and blues rock. Hailing from Belgrade and now based in the United States, her main achievement lies in a prolific and acclaimed discography, having released over a dozen studio and live albums that showcase her fiery guitar work and soulful vocals to a global audience.

Early career

Born in 1976 in Belgrade, then part of Yugoslavia, Ana Popović was immersed in music from an early age through her father's extensive blues and soul record collection. She formed her first band, Hush, in 1995 while attending university in the Netherlands, where she had moved to study, balancing her education with growing musical ambitions and early performances across the European club circuit.

Breakthrough

Popović's international breakthrough arrived with her 2002 album Hush!, which was released on the German label Ruf Records. The album garnered significant attention in the blues world, earning a nomination for Best New Artist Debut at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis and establishing her as a formidable new force on the scene with her blend of traditional blues and rock energy.

Key tracks

Navajo Moon - This title track from her 2005 album became an instant fan favorite and a staple of her live sets, perfectly encapsulating her melodic songwriting and dynamic guitar style.

Slow Dance - A track from the 2007 album Still Making History that highlights her versatility, blending soulful grooves with sophisticated guitar playing.

Object of Obsession - The powerful opener from her 2013 album Can You Stand the Heat showcases a harder, funk-infused rock edge and confident vocals.

Lasting Kind of Love - From her 2016 album Trilogy, this song demonstrates her evolution into a more nuanced artist, incorporating elements of funk and soul.

Like It on Top - The title track from her 2018 album, a collaborative and empowering blues-rock anthem featuring several notable guest artists.

Her career continued to ascend with a relentless touring schedule across Europe and North America, and albums like Unconditional (2011) and the ambitious triple album Trilogy (2016) on her own label, ArtisteXclusive records. She has collaborated with artists like Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bernard Allison, and Robert Randolph, further cementing her reputation within the blues rock community.

Fans of Ana Popović's brand of high-energy, guitar-driven blues rock might also enjoy the work of Samantha Fish, another modern guitarist known for blending blues with rock and Americana. The powerful vocals and blues-rock fusion of Joanne Shaw Taylor also share a similar spirit. For a different European perspective on the genre, explore the music of Thorbjørn Risager and his band, who deliver a robust, soul-inflected take on blues rock.

Ana Popović's music, with its potent mix of traditional blues feeling and modern rock intensity, continues to be featured on blues rock and specialty music radio stations worldwide, reaching dedicated listeners who seek authentic guitar-driven sound.

Listeners can discover the powerful music of Ana Popović through dedicated radio stations available on onairium.com, where her songs are regularly featured in playlists celebrating contemporary blues and rock artistry.