Artists To Watch In 2026: Voodoo 5

In a genre where most bands are content to imitate old records, Voodoo 5 are making new ones – brave, bold, and unlike any exotica record you’ve ever heard.

Led by composer/guitarist Skip Heller – producer to/protege of Robert Drasnin, orchestrator for Elisabeth Waldo, bandleader for Yma Sumac – and vocalist Lena Marie Cardinale, an operatic Sumac acolyte and former El Vez Elvette, Voodoo 5 has established themselves as a blistering live act not only at exotica festivals like Tiki Oasis and Tiki Caliente, but also such jazz venues as the Century Room (Tucson), Carousel (Palm Springs), and at various clubs in Los Angeles, their home base.  Cardinale and Heller are rounded out by an all-star ensemble (Jay Work, flute, Mark Riddle, vibraphone, Connor Gallaher, steel guitar, Paul Eckman, upright bass, and Cesar Ventura, congas) who groove harder than do most exotica groups, all the while spotlessly executing some of the most interesting arrangements the genre has to offer.

After dropping an incredible 7" with us this last year featuring an incredible exotica cover of Dead Kennedys "Moon Over Marin", there are rumors of new music on the horizon and we can't wait! 

If you get a chance to bear witness to Voodoo 5 run, don't walk to enjoy their incredible performances! Until then trying picking up their latest 7" available everywhere!