DeVotchka

Devotchka

DeVotchKa is an eclectic indie rock band from Denver, Colorado, combining elements of cabaret, folk, punk, gypsy, eastern bloc, mariachi, and polka. Originally a backing band for burlesque shows in Colorado DeVotchKa also toured with Dita von Teese. At the beginning of the 2000s the band began touring around the US to promote their self released records, earning the band a dedicated underground following. The band’s biggest breakout success came when Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris approached the band to score their debut independent film Little Miss Sunshine. The film became an box office success and would garner four Academy Award nominations, the score was nominated for a Grammy.

DeVotchKa is a four piece multi-instrumental and vocal ensemble that fuses Romani, Greek, Slavic and Bolero music with American punk and folk roots. The quartet is made up of Nick Urata, who sings and plays theremin, guitar, bouzouki, piano, and trumpet; Tom Hagerman, who plays violin, accordion, and piano; Jeanie Schroder, who sings and plays sousaphone and double bass; and Shawn King, who plays percussion and trumpet.

Numerous nationwide tours in support of self released records earned the band an underground following. Their song “How It Ends” was featured on the trailer for the film “Everything Is Illuminated”, introducing the band to a widening audience. Their performance at the 2006 Bonnaroo music festival was considered a breakout event.

In between tours, the band was picked by first time film directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris to score “Little Miss Sunshine”, a 2006 film that would go on to garner four Academy Award nominations. DeVotchKa composed and performed the majority of the music for the film’s soundtrack and were nominated for a 2006 Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack. DeVotchKa’s latest studio album, “A Mad & Faithful Telling”, was released on March 18, 2008. DeVotchKa is currently doing a worldwide tour in support of the album’s release.

Nick Urata
Vocals, Guitars, Piano, Theremin, Trumpet

Tom Hagerman
Violin, Accordian, Piano

Jeanie Schroder
Sousaphone, Acoustic Bass, Vocals

Shawn King
Drums, Percussion, Trumpet

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This entry was posted on Sunday, July 19th, 2009 at 3:15 pm. It is filed under Live music reviews, Mile High Music Festival 2009 and tagged with DeVotchka, Mile High Music Festival 2009. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.