BOTANICA
WHO ARE YOU

A sparse and precise groove anchoring majestic guitar chords and the shimmer of a Wurlitzer electric piano; the expressive force of a voice somewhere in the realm of Elvis Costello, Matt Johnson and Tom Waits--and you're close to describing the Botanica sound. Poetry in short verses; Beauty, doubt, God & the world and a sky illuminated by the pull of a thousand cigarettes. Blue Rhythm described the 2007 album, "The Magnetic Waltz" as eleven songs for the discriminating consumer--an album that would find easy favor with Nick Cave or PJ Harvey. Founder and ringleader of this troupe is singer Paul Wallfisch, whose talents as keyboardist, producer, songwriter and engineer have led to collaboration with artists including Little Annie, Firewater, Love & Rockets, Congo Norvell, Stiv Bators, Syl Sylvain, Johnny Halliday & Angela McCluskey. The John to this Paul, for the last 8 years and 5 albums, is one Mr. Andrews, who, when he's not playing guitar and singing in Botanica, tours the world with the likes of Peter Murphy and Nena. Bassist Jason Binnick, (ex The Flesh), and New Orleans rhythm king Dave Berger, (ex Elysian Fields), round out the core quartet, which is often augmented by recording mistress of strings, Anne DeWolff, (Calexica, Neko Case). "Who You Are" is the new, (6th) studio album from Botanica. Paul's moving voice remains the band's signature but is complimented by two other lead singers this time around. John sings sings lead on his own tongue-in-cheek pop rant, "Cocktails on the Moon," as well as the neo psychadelic epic, Xmas, where Paul's distorted Wurli takes over the "guitar" duties. Dana Schechter, (American Music Club), contributes a classic duet with Paul on "You Might Be the One," worthy of a wink in the direction of Lee & Nancy. Love, insanity--and other extreme states of humanity pave the way for Botanica's eclectic catalogue of songs, continually aiming to one-up their fans' expectations.