Compiled by the Swami
Swami@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Founded by Dave Zaharia and TJ DeVoe in August of 1999, VooDoo Productions has been guiding and promoting local talent with great accomplishment. Based on the philosophy of aptitude and hard work, which Zaharia and crew refer to as "Voo Doo," the tight group of dedicated team members pride themselves in striving for the best management and direction for each artist. With over 1200 shows and 5800 bands under their belt, it’s no wonder VooDoo Productions continues to be a huge resource for this community.
VooDoo Productions was initially formed to be the management for the Denver-based band, Brutal Infliction. As momentum picked up for the band, many promoters and venues within the scene took notice, such as Dave Xaviers of the renowned Sportsfield Roxx, and Russ Austin at Iliff Park Saloon and House of Rock, as well as Peter Ore from NIPP, and Bill Terrell, a well-known front man for Rogue, of what once was Denver's biggest and largest-drawing Metal band from 1997–2002.
Zaharia: It was suggested to me that I could use my promotional savvy and passion for the industry to promote and develop other bands. Promoting, developing and sponsoring
It was important to VooDoo to communicate with bands, how much work was involved in truly getting a band from point A to the next level, and most of that depended on the band's drive and passion. VooDoo tended to shy away from the bands who thought that talent alone would catapult them to the front lines of a record label and national touring with all the funds they'd ever need. Well, if it were only that easy. …
Zaharia: In 2003, Infexious Recordz was abandoned by me and all eight employees, who went on under the name VooDoo Productions exclusively, leaving Bill to continue Infexious on his own, R.I.P. It was very apparent to me that the scene was separated by promoters, genres, egos and the lack of industry comprehension, which in my opinion has held back the music community in a multitude of ways. It was time to unite, educate, and make a big push for
VooDoo went forward assisting other promoters including Warped Productions, (now under the name Whisper Fiercely), Big Q Productions, CUMA's, In your Face Entertainment, Ignite Entertainment, Devil's Deal Promotions, Booga Wooga, Hapi Skratch Records, 66 Crush and Quick Fix Promotions, as well as helping individuals/companies that were out to promote Denver's music scene, including Maris the Great, Throat Culture Magazine, Riff Music Magazine, Colorado Music Buzz, Thrash Radio and many, many bands such as Apathy, Dennis, Tyfoid Mary, Roman O., My Orange Crush, and Ransom, to name a few. VooDoo also was bringing national acts to town like L.A. Guns, Genitorturers, Silent Civilian, Testament, Mankind is Obsolete, Dragon Lord, and many more. It was another way to give back to the local deserving artist by allowing them to play in front of larger crowds.
Zaharia: It has been a long tiring uphill battle with many struggles and many rewards and many great memories, and after 11 years, we're still pushing for
VooDoo's credo has remained the same 'til this day: "Team Work" – pushing to keep Denver as a resource for record labels to seek new talent and put on and assist in putting on and promoting shows with other companies and working with ALL genres of music, from Hip-Hop to Punk and Metal to Pop, the list goes on. A small company that has kept above water for 11 years promoting, developing, and most of all, being a part of one of this nation's greatest cities of musical talent:
Zaharia: Over the last 11 years, I've observed how most promotion companies and venues have spent a lot of their time promoting within their ‘comfort zone,’ and I have wanted to persuade more companies to expand their horizons, by opening up to other genres and ideas and working together as a whole. Some were open-minded, some weren't, but to those of you who had put the industry in
What others have to say:
“VooDoo Productions is hands down
Christophe Clarke
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Raven
Eggs and Kegs radio show
“Over the last decade, promoters have come and gone along the Colorado Front Range ... but VooDoo Productions continues on as a dedicated and aggressive promotion force for the Rock and Metal scene throughout the greater
Morris Beegle
Hapi Skratch/Fist Music
"As far back as I remember, VooDoo's presence and impact on the local music scene has been undeniably felt by not only me, but everyone I know. Some of the best shows I've either hunted at, or was a part of, was put on by VooDoo Productions."
MARIS THE GREAT
“What can I say, great work ethics and some of the best local shows at the Gothic Theatre!”
Jessica Peistrup
Gothic Theatre
