Interview: Obsidian Fog Promotions & Booking
August 13, 2011
Welcome to Obsidian Fog! The world were dark, muggy and unexplained things come to life to only show you that they can do the best job possible. After meeting Manda a couple months back, I knew from day one that she would be doing great things in the metal community but little did I know her company would be booking shows and working with bands at the volume she’s doing now. With a new partner on board and steamrolling through shows like cheesecake, these two ladies can bring the heat and deliver the goods, no matter what.
Official Facebook. Official E-mail. Official Website.
Manda, I’ve known you for quite sometime but how far has the booking/promotion company traveled in the last couple months? Also, are you guys going in a direction that you thought was possible from the beginning?
Manda: In the past few months, Obsidian Fog has grown to a point where I never thought it would in such a short amount of time. We aim to keep the same vision for OFP since its inception, but be on the lookout for new and exciting things in the coming months.
I’ve recently heard that Obsidian Fog Promotions got a somewhat new member. Lauren, how has everything been so far and were you expecting it to be this hectic? Also, why did you choose booking/promotion of all the things you could be doing?
Lauren: Everything is going amazing, and yes, I knew what I was getting myself into when Manda asked me to join on. I am learning so much and getting to do it with someone who I value and respect as a person makes it that much better. I got into promoting for the same reasons as Manda, the local scene here in Denver is so impressive but they had no one looking out for them. Music is my major passion in life and this is my way of contributing to that.
Outside of Obsidian Fog Promotions, what do you two ladies love doing the most? Any hobbies?
Manda: Outdoor activities and gaining knowledge through spiritual development.
Lauren: I spend a lot of time doing art, pretty much anything I can get my hands on. The rest of my time is spent with my family, chosen and given, they are why I am here.
What made you choose Lauren for a partner and were you expecting her to learn all the ropes as quick as she has?
Manda: I chose her because she is the most qualified, shares the same vision as I for the company, and she is someone I trust. I fully expected her to catch on as quick as she has...She is a bright one!
With Obsidian Fog being pretty much consumed by the black/trash and doom genres, are you guys pleased with the scene overall? Also, how do you feel it can improve?
Manda: Because we have one of the best scenes in the Western U.S. and the bands are so talented and motivated, it makes our job easier and very enjoyable.
Growing up, what kind of music did you guys really dig and do you still listen to some of those records/bands to this day?
Manda: 80's New Wave, Classic Rock, Darkwave, Alt and yes we both still do.
If you ladies could book one huge tour filled with all of your favorite bands, who would be on the bill and which band would you want to meet backstage? You can only choose one band to meet and the bands you book can be split-up, all dead or alive.
Bothn: Watain, Enslaved, Satyricon, Dissection. And if we could choose of those to meet it would be Dissection, especially since we have had the pleasure of hanging out/meeting the other bands.
Manda, you’ve been going to shows in the Denver area for a good while now so how has it changed up from the beginning to now?
Manda: Bands come and bands go, but the biggest change I have seen personally, is there is now unity within the scene, and it is more of a community, rather than bands/genres pitting against one another.
From what I’ve heard throw the whispers of the trees, Obsidian Fog is working on a pretty big thing for December. What could you tell us about that and who may we be seeing? If you can release the info, that is.
Manda: OFP has collaborated with Zach Salmans of Stoic Dissention for the Denver Doomfest slated for December 3rd in Denver. You can expect to see such acts as The Flight of Sleipnir, Royal Talons and more.
Since you two are business partners, do you ladies disagree on more things than not? Also, when you do disagree do the fights ever get pretty intense?
Lauren: Manda and I are lucky enough to be best friends outside of OFP, and there are rarely if ever disagreements between us. We are definitely made of the same stock and respect each others decisions and opinions even if we don't always see eye to eye.
Coming to the end of this interview, I would like to thank you two ladies for letting me interview you and we support everything you do so keep in touch. Lastly, are there any people you would like to shout out or any bands that have helped you along the way that you would like to say thank you to?
Both: We would like to thank Vision of Mara, Marty Caschette, Mt. Cairn, Suns of Sorath, Soda Jerk Presents, Kastigation, Brent Boutte at Mirrorlife Productions, Stonehaven, All the crazy fucks at Metal Throne, Gimli Octavius at VON for the web support, Cameron Cordova, Anna at Femme Fatale-Black Metal Women, Kimberlee at Metal Maidens, our respective families (given and chosen) and the entire Denver metal community that come out and support us as well as the bands.
[Retired] A cool kid with no talent but tons of heart! A passion for grindcore and writing in general pushes me onward to reach new heights within music journalism.
