Artist description A 21st century hybrid of the inebriated pop pathos of Ray Davies, the urban weight of Lou Reed, and the elegance of Leonard Cohen steppin' out for a Mardi Gras dance.

Music Style Uncabaret, dark groove-pop

Musical Influences Kinks, Lou Reed, Tom Waits, Willie Dixon, Bowie, Dylan, Nick cave

Similar Artists The The, Lou Reed, Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen

Artist History Formed in Los Angeles at the beginning of 1999 around the songwriting and singing of Paul Wallfisch, (ivory tinkler for Firewater, Congo Norvell and Love & Rockets among others), and his recording co-conspirators Abby Travis, (Beck, KMFDM, Elastica) & Ivan Knight, (Stan Ridgeway, Friends of Dean Martinez).The band soon signed with Checkered Past Records and recorded their first album, "Malediction", released to rave reviews in the Summer of '99. After touring extensively in the fall, including a sold-out showcase at NXNW, the band opened shows for 16 Horsepower and Rocket From the Crypt. Paul moved to New York at the beginning of 2000, but the band continues it's national and soon to be international life. Botanica's music appears in the Phaedra Films release "Men Cry Bullets", and their version of "Broken Bicycles" will be featured in the upcoming Tom Waits tribute album "Fresh Coat of Paint" on Manifesto Records.

Group Members IVAN KNIGHT drums, percussion, harmonicaABBY TRAVIS bass, vocalsPAUL WALLFISCH voice, keyboards, guitarwith semi-permanent guest membersKID CONGO POWERS guitar, vocals, percussionOREN KAPLAN guitar

Instruments Bass, drums, wurlitzer, guitar, samples, musical saw, toy piano, organ

Albums Malediction

Press Reviews "A sonic pornography of wit and lounge that prowls through the red-light district of rock..lush beauty you can sink your teeth into. Records this dark and wily just don't come along that often." L.A.WEEKLY""Grandeur, sweep, romance and edge" BOSTON GLOBE"...Malediction contains an unexplainable mysticism and a feel hitting the soul and lurking long after the CD ends." ROCKPILE"...should redifine what passes for lounge music."CDNOW"Macabre, intelligent lyrics and vocals set to some strange combination of jazzy piano blues and tribal rock, Botanica is tongue-in-cheek dark and angry fun." THE BIG TAKEOVER"Disturbing and intriguing...conspires to make your head spin." MAGNET

Additional Info Coming 5/00: "Fresh Coat of Paint" Manifesto Records

Location New York, New York - USA

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