Paper Diamond, aka Alex B. (formerly of Pnuma Trio), has been launching his solo career in the festival scene for the last two years and a half years. Touring with Pretty Lights early on, Alex set out to make a mark in the rapidly growing culture of electronic dance music (EDM). Affiliated with both Pretty Lights’ label, and Diplo’s label, Mad Decent, Alex has made his presence known with the best in the business upon releasing his first two EP’s,
Alex’s newest EP, Paragon, was self-released and offered free to download online. In an interview with Music Festival Central (MFC), Alex explained why he like to produce his own tracks instead of with the record labels at the moment. Alex stated “they just want to get to the meat and potatoes of it, but I wanted to create a more comprehensive piece that shows a wide range of music, but also musical ability and melodic intention, with chord structures and all that stuff.” Going his own way has allowed Alex to enjoy the fruits of having full creative control during the recording process. Recordings for some of his EP’s are a long-term commitment and can stretch over long periods of time. He chuckled while telling MFC, “I try to treat every EP like I’m getting married to it; like it’s going to be around forever, whether I love it or not.”
Alex pays careful attention to new players in the game, as well as new technologies. He is a firm supporter of exposing new music and learning new ways to take people to another level. Alex stated, “I’m looking to have my mind blown, and I’m looking to blow people’s minds, too.” He referenced Jimi Hendrix’s ability to change music in his time; Alex explained, “he [Jimi] used current technology and created another world with it.” Creating another world for his fans is exactly what Alex is trying to accomplish during every performance. His search to have his mind blown will continue as he travels across the globe learning new styles of music and submerging himself in them in hopes to put his own take on them to create change.
One asset that sets Alex apart from others is his creative independence. When it comes thinking of fresh ways to unleash his music on the crowd, Alex stands alone. During his shows, Alex is known for using an iPad to control not only the music, but the lighting as well. Spectacles of this nature are not only a sight to see, but they also inspire people to try new things and create change themselves. Mixing his talents with attributes like his drive and ambitions has helped mold Alex into a hard working successor in the music industry.
Despite Alex’s independence, he makes it very clear that he wants to share the spotlight with other artists, and, inspire people in the process. Alex told MFC, “all the people I’m surrounded by and the people I’m inspired by, I want to come up with them. Like I want them to come up, I want to come up with them, and I want to bring people up with me.” Alex’s efforts in the game and noble morals should be taken to heart as he continues his mission in the musical world.
While on tour, Alex will remain to be one of the only artists controlling his own lights and sounds every night. Manning his purely improvisational show in such ways almost seems like a necessity at this point in his career because he’ll being playing 2-3 times nearly every weekend for the rest of the summer. So far he has played at a multitude of phenomenal music festivals like Electric Forest, North Coast Music Festival, Counter.Point, along with other staples in the EDM festival scene. His upcoming tour consists of a laundry list of appearances at festivals throughout the summer; some of which include showcases at Governors Ball Music Festival, Bonnaroo, HARD Summer, Camp Bisco, and even at the world famous Austin City Limits for back to back weekends. To say the least, Alex will have his hands full this year on tour and it seems to be apparent that he will continue to crush it while on the road.
Right before Alex’s performance at Movement Electronic Music Festival, one of MFC’s writers got the chance to catch up with him for a chat: