Stats
Biography
Botwin’s roots are in dance, and not electronica per se, at least as far back as it’s possible to trace them; the Memphis, Tennessee dance music group Pnuma Trio were where he got his break in the musical world, as their bassist - he joined them in 2004. He would soon afterwards go on to take a less active role in the actual making of music, instead setting up a record label and design company in Boulder, Colorado, under the name of Elm & Oak. He played DJ sets locally, though, originally under the name Alex B - it wasn’t until 2011, though, when he instead adopted the Paper Diamond moniker - that he really began to ingratiate himself into the frontline of music making again.
He released a full-length album that same year, his one and only to date; ‘Levitate’ would go on to provide him a platform to tour nationally, with a support slot to The M Machine and performances at both the Coachella and Lollapalooza festivals coming off the back of its release. Since then, he’s released a further two EPs - ‘Wavesight’ and ‘Paragon’ - and helped to pioneer the use of the iPad in live electronic shows.
Live reviews
Although Paper Diamond (aka. Alexander Botwin), has only been signed and making music professionally since late 2014, he has taken the electronic music scene by storm in just a few short years. Originally a bassist, Paper Diamond broke away from the dance music trio he belonged to in order to pursue his successful production career.
His debut album Levitate saw him being offered multiple tour and support slots around the US, and his fan following and success sky rocketed. The venues he frequents are usually club settings, and the way that he encapsulates an entire room of clubbers is insane. As soon as he starts mixing and playing his synth-based tracks, you can immediately see his focus hone in and he doesn’t lose his control from his music for the entirety of the set.
He had a microphone set up at his desk, and he was hyping the crowd, shouting for us to join in with the catchy hooks, and everyone was dancing nonstop from the first track he played. He played through his albums and EPs in the 120 minute set and seemed to be loving every moment of it, which was contagious for an audience. I’d definitely recommend seeing him live.
Alexander Botwin better known by his stage name Paper Diamond has been working the dance music crowds and circuit since 2010 yet his reputation seems to be growing at a steady, respectable pace globally. The Colorado artist released his debut in 2011 and has been regularly heading out to promote this release.
He often creates tour mixes specifically for the venues and events he is playing which always go down well with the responsive audiences who are more than ready to party. Botwin spends a lot of time concentrating on his mixes yet still takes time to hype up the crowd and acknowledge their energy tonight which is really above and beyond. They go crazy for his remixes of some of Wiz Khalifa's well known tracks before he phases back into his original work including the trance heavy single 'Paragon' and the tingling 'Rain Drops'. Although Paper Diamond is not a huge name on the scene yet, with a strong discography and energetic live show he definitely seems to have his eyes set on the big time.