God bless Serbian princess of blues!!

Intervju vodila JJ Beba

Still making history

Zvezdu svetske bluz scene beograđanku Anu Popovic ugrabila sam u studiju “Laid back” u pauzi snimanja super projekta "Rock misija", koji je na jednom mestu okupio legendarne gitariste i vodeće muzičare sa ex yu prostora. Delovala je sveže, orno i veselo dok je u miniću,u poznom osmom mesecu trudnoće, sa džitrom u rukama pevala duet sa Dadom Topićem.
JJ B: kako je A' damu?
Ana: Super. U februaru sam bila u LA na remixu svog poslednjeg albuma "Still making history". Pošto evidentno moram da se porodim pravim pauzu od koncrata tako da sam skoknula da Beograda da posetim roditelje i da se odazovem na poziv za ovo snimanje.
JJ B: Kako je Ani među muškarcima?
Ana: Navikla sam muškarce na sebe. (smeh) Godinama sviram sa muškarcima; u ovoj vrsti muzike dominiraju muškarci, gitara je muški instrument. Prosto ne razmišljam o tome, uzmem i sviram. Svoje poslove sama vodim što znači da sam naučila.
JJ B: koji su bili presudni momneti koji su odlučili da će muzika biti tvoja profesija a ne hobi?
Ana: Kod mene to nikada nije bila odluka, ni do dan danas. Ja nisam svesno napravila tu odluku, jer smatram da je muzika, kao i svaka druga umetnost , veoma nesigurn posao i promenjljiva. Prosto želim da uživam u svom poslu dok traje. Čak sam zavrsila grafički dizajn sa 22 godine da bih imala back-up plan u slučaju da moja karijera ne bude tekla onako kako bih ja to želela, ali do danas nisam imala nikakav drugi posao osim muzičkog. Biti muzičar moze biti najlepši i najgori posao. Ne želim da budem muzičar po svaku cenu. Ako sebe jednog dana zateknem bez inspiracije, odradjujuci svirke po nekakvim barovima, znam sigurno da ću tada prestati da se bavim muzikom. Mislim da je jedna od najvećih vrlina muzičara, i uopšte, znati kada treba stati.
JJ B: Ja bih volela da si ti uzor nekim novim klinkama, a ne zvezde Granda. Možda ima takvih koji bi pošle tvojim stopama, šta znaš? (obostrani smeh) Šta je važno za njih u tom smislu?
Ana: Bitno je da se u bilo čemu što se radi, u bilo kom poslu, pronadje strast. To je nešto što se oseća vrlo rano. Narprimer, moj prvi koncert je bio koncert Tine Turner u Beogradu, imala sam 13 godina, i nikada neću zaboraviti osećaj dok sam posmatrala binu , muzičre, reflektore..Već tada sam strašno želela da dozivim “stage”'. Oduvek su postojale stvari koje su mi se svidjale, kao što je slikanje ili design, ali muzika je noslila ono nešto posebno, to je prevazilazilo pojam svidjanja, to sam jednostavno morala da doživim. Kada sam gledala Claptonov video - jedan od prvih video traka koji je Milutin ( Anin otac) doneo pošto smo nabavili prvi video rekorder- takodje u mojoj 12-13 godini, pomislila sam kako mora da je sjajan osećaj ostaviti tako nešto iza sebe, na primer sjajnu pesmu ili slicno. Važno je ostaviti trag.
JJ B: A škola?
Ana: Ne treba da se bude u školi zbog škole; treba da se uzme od nje ono što ti se čini da je potrebno za lični razvoj i inspiraciju. Muzička škola je jedina škola gde ti diploma neće naći ni jedan jedini gig. (tezga)
Ja sam uvek gig stavljala na prvo mesto pa tek onda školu. Ako želis da ideš u pravcu jazza pogodno je studirati to par godina ( ne zbog diplome!) Ako želis da se u tvom stilu prepoznaju elementi klasike , treba studirati klasiku. Veoma sam protiv caver bendova i mislim da šanse koje ti se pružaju da napraviš ime kroz svirku nikako ne smeju biti propuštene.
JJ B: koja bi bila tvoja poruka nekim budućim Anama?
Ana: U svemu što radiš nadji svoj izraz i stil. Ne kopiraj nikoga čak i ako većina kaže da je to što želiš ne moguće. Baš tada treba biti uporan. Moj najveći pokretač svih ovih godina je bio izazov. Tamo gde je većina
negodovala i neverovala, ja sam dobijala energiju da nastavim.
JJ B: a pdrška?
Ana: Podrška je veoma bitna i ako je gro umetnika nema. Ja sam imala najvecu podrsku u porodici, i definitivno bez nje ne bih bila ovde gde sam danas."

U međuvremenu Ana se porodila i dobila sina , zove se Luk.
Ana i Luk su trenutno u Americi na turnij

kratka biografija:

13 May 1976 - Ana Popovic is born in the old town of Belgrade, formerly Yugoslavia, the first daughter of Milutin and Vesna Popovic. Five years later their second daughter, Maja, is born. Ana grows up in a warm and loving family where music is very important. Her father Milutin is a creditable guitar / bass player, always inviting friends for nightly jam sessions. In this atmosphere Ana grows up, often listening to her father’s impressive blues and soul record collection. Finally, at 15, Ana picks up her father’s guitar.

1981 - 1991

At school Ana is a good student. Not completely bitten by the guitar bug yet, she learns easily and likes to impress. Against the stormy political backdrop of Belgrade she receives good news: she is selected to attend one of the most prominent Schools in Belgrade. Despite her adolescent rebel years tempting her away from the classroom, and a volatile political situation under the Milosovic nationalist regime in Belgrade, she passes her exams without problems.

1991 - 1994

Inevitably, Ana falls for the charms of the guitar. Her father continues to help her but realizes that his daughter’s natural gift for playing the instrument goes beyond his own abilities. Although the family isn’t rich Milutin and Vesna make it possible for Ana to take private guitar lessons and Ana puts her soul into them – surprising her teacher with her progress and rapidly developing a style of her own. Finally, on finishing her Grammar School education in 1994, Ana makes the decision to follow in her father’s footsteps by studying Graphic Design at the University of Belgrade.

1995 - 1998

Music now begins to take up more time as Ana forms her very first band ‘Hush’ with friend and guitar player Rade Popovic. She rehearses frequently in a small garage in New Belgrade and live shows soon follow. Initially being a girl means Ana having to take second place, but that soon changes. Over the next three years Ana's band plays all the major club venues - by 1998 doing a hundred shows annually and making regular appearances on Yugoslavian television. The end of Communism means musicians are finally free to travel and Ana now plays blues festivals in Greece & Hungary. With her band Hush she records her first album "Hometown" as a limited pressing and, in 1998 successfully applies to study Graphic Design in Utrecht. Just a few weeks before her new Graphic Design course starts however, Ana decides to send in a tape to Utrecht’s Conservatory. Ana’s tape is selected right away, leaving her with a choice to make … feeling more a musician than a designer the decision is easily made.

1995 - 1998

Music now begins to take up more time as Ana forms her very first band ‘Hush’ with friend and guitar player Rade Popovic. She rehearses frequently in a small garage in New Belgrade and live shows soon follow. Initially being a girl means Ana having to take second place, but that soon changes. Over the next three years Ana's band plays all the major club venues - by 1998 doing a hundred shows annually and making regular appearances on Yugoslavian television. The end of Communism means musicians are finally free to travel and Ana now plays blues festivals in Greece & Hungary. With her band Hush she records her first album "Hometown" as a limited pressing and, in 1998 successfully applies to study Graphic Design in Utrecht. Just a few weeks before her new Graphic Design course starts however, Ana decides to send in a tape to Utrecht’s Conservatory. Ana’s tape is selected right away, leaving her with a choice to make … feeling more a musician than a designer the decision is easily made.

1999

Although now studying in the Netherlands; both a need to put the newly acquired music theory into practice, and a need to pay the tuition fees, leads to Ana forming a Dutch band. The band quickly becomes a popular fixture on the Dutch and German blues scenes. Inevitably, with increasing concert obligations, Ana decides to terminate her studies at The Conservatory and with a background of increasing unrest and bombing in her hometown of Belgrade Ana signs a record deal at Ruf records in Germany.

2000 - 2001

In October of 2000, Ana travels to Memphis to record her first release for Ruf Records. Titled ‘Hush’! after her first band, the release is produced by Jim Gaines (whose production credits include Santana and Stevie Ray Vaughan). ‘Hush!’ is released at the beginning of 2001. It is a period with many highlights as Ana’s younger sister, Maja, enrols at the higher Professional school of Art in Utrecht. Ana joins various artists including Bernard Allison, Eric Burdon, Walter Trout, Popa Chubby, Jimmy Thackery, Taj Mahal and Buddy Miles on a Jimi Hendrix tribute CD: ‘Blue Haze’. Her contribution is a version of Hendrix’ ‘Belly Button Window’. In 2001 Ana appears as ‘special guest’ on tour with Bernard Allison, who also joins her on one track of her CD ‘HUSH!’

2002

Ana is part of the European ‘Jimi Hendrix Tribute tour’ with Walter Trout. Ana also takes her European band on tour to the US for the first time. She receives three nominations for the 2002 blues Awards in France: ‘Best Singer’, ‘Best Guitarist’ and Best Album’.

2003

Ana returns to Memphis and records her second album for Ruf Records. Titled ‘Comfort to the Soul’; Half of the album was produced/mixed by Jim Gains in February, with the remainder produced and mixed by David Z (Prinz, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang) in April. Praised for its diverse package of blues, rock, soul and jazz the album leads to Ana receiving a nomination at the prestigious WC Handy Awards in Memphis for Best New Artist of 2003 (the only continental European artist ever nominated in this category). Ana also becomes the first European artist to perform at the Show. The year also sees Ana endorsing ‘Fender’ guitars and ‘DR handmade’ strings for the first time. During the ‘Rhythm & Blues Fest’ in Peer, Belgium, Ana is invited on stage by ‘The King of Soul’, Solomon Burke, who immediately invites her to join him as a special guest for the rest of his tour.

2004

With great live shows, Ana’s international demand continues to grow. She returns to the USA – this time touring three times – and plays concerts in Canada and throughout Europe. Together with her band she wins the prestigious jazz award ‘Jazz a Juan-Revelation 2004’ in Juan Le Pins, France. The award shows recognition of Ana’s abilities in the jazz genre - another strong influence on her music. Ana begins an endorsement contract for Mesa Boogie amplifiers. She is also particularly proud to join many of the world’s top guitarists as she begins endorsement for Ovation Guitars.

2005

Ana releases her third Ruf Album jointly as a live DVD. Recorded at the ‘Melkweg’ in Amsterdam and Titled ‘Ana! Live in Amsterdam' The DVD/CD is released in April in Europe and August in the USA. Ana tours throughout Europe and even plays in Dubai as part of Ruf’s ‘Blues Caravan - Ladies Night’ with Sue Foley and Candy Cane.

2006

Ana is invited for the legendary ‘Blues Cruise 2006’ - She’s the first European artist ever called upon to play this prestigious cruise with their original band. In February Ana is nominated as 'Blues Artist of the Year' by the readers of 'BluesWax Magazine'. Other nominees are Tab Beniot and Joe Bonamassa. In July Ana receives a 6-time nomination for the 'Living blues awards 2006'. She's selected in categories as; 'Best blues DVD of 2005', 'Best Live Performer', 'Best Female Blues Artist' and 'Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar)'. In November, after a 13-week summer-tour throughout the USA, Ana signs a record deal at ‘Delta Groove Productions record label’ and travels to Los Angeles to record her first Delta Groove release.

2007

Ana makes appearance at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Her performance -together with Mike Finnigan and Lenny Castro- is followed the screening of BigSky Motion Pictures release 'What Love Is' starring Cuba Gooding Jr. Ana's record 'Still Making History' has it's worldwide release on June 19, 2007. The Eclecto Groove / Delta Groove Music inc. recording is produced by David Z. and Grammy Award winning producer John Porter (Los Lonely Boys, Bonnie Raitt, Keb’ Mo’, etc.)
Ana does an impressive total of 152 concerts; seven intensive tours in the US, sharing the stage with many famous artists including blues legend Buddy Guy. Next to touring Europe and the US she even plays Russia and Mexico. In October Ana is invited for a Dutch combi-tour with Dutch 'guitar-hero' Jan Akkerman (Focus). Also in October Ana stars in Hollywood's production Springbreak '83 shot in New Orleans. That very same month her record makes its debut on the Billboard Blues Chart at #8 sharing the chart with the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan. In November SMH makes it to #7 and in the beginning of December even to #4.

2008

In February Ana travels to Los Angeles to remix her latest album 'Still Making History' with multi-platinum producer Rudy 'Mayru' Maya. The project include remixes of 8 tracks from the original 'Still Making History' record as well as two additional original tracks.
On May 5 Ana gives birth to a healthy baby-boy; Luuk. He weights 3.925 Kilo (0,62 stone) and is born with lots of dark hair and big blue eyes.

Ana Popovic - I play, and play, and play

source: http://www.anapopovic.com/