by Lauren Rosier
The music industry has struggled over the years with the rough economy, but music is always everywhere in our everyday life. If you listen to radio these days, you may have found that there has been an increase in the use of technology to make music. Electronic bands have always been around, but it seems like the demand for the niche has increased due to the growing popularity and acceptance of using computers and software as a means to make music.
I spoke with Alex Botwin, a.k.a. Paper Diamond, recently to discuss his musical journey from his early project, Pnuma Trio, to his current work as a producer under the Paper Diamond name. Botwin has been a lifelong musician always doing music on his own.
In Pnuma Trio, he was the bassist for the dance music trio, but when “people stopped reacting and as interested anymore, decided to do a solo project,” Botwin explains. That is the where the Paper Diamond project began three years ago. “[I’ve] always been interested in electronic music and grew up as a musician my whole life.”
The electronic and dance community is such a culture in itself and has such a devout, loyal following; however, Botwin prefers not to be categorized under the electronic dance music (EDM) genre. Many groups and producers get lost in the shuffle of the EDM genre and other sub-genres, so like with any genre, it is important to set yourself apart from the rest of the crowd.
“The upbringing as a musician sets me apart,” he says. The melodic intentions, chords, etc and his lifelong craft of making music helps to set him apart.
The difference with Paper Diamond and other EDM groups and producers is that he can sit down and write any type of song whether it be an indie track or a hip hop track. He doesn’t feel tied down to any one genre and his experience as a musician helps to support that notion.
Within the community, stage presence and show as a whole is an experience. Botwin really strives to ensure a solid, captivating experience for anyone that comes to shows to support him. His live set is improvised every night as he continues to work on the details up through when it is time to go on stage. He implements not only the audio, but also incorporates a video technician and lighting technician as part of crafting an unforgettable live experience for his fans.
Paper Diamond has played many different festivals like Ultra Music Festival, South By Southwest (SXSW), and TomorrowWorld. This year he will be performing at the Wakarusa Festival in Arkansas in June. He’s also looking forward to finishing up the Rain Drops EP tour and hopes to release as much music as possible this year.
Botwin brings his extraordinary live set to Philadelphia’s District N9ne venue tomorrow, February 7th.
