Paula

Germany's Paula came together in Berlin during 1997, when Berend Intelmann and Elke Brauweiler first encountered each other at a Pet Shop Boys concert in London. Their debut album, Himmelfahrt (in English, "Ascension"), appeared in 2000 and was accompanied by two singles. The follow-up record, Liebe (or "Love," in English), arrived the next year and was quickly succeeded by Warum Berlin (or, "Why Berlin"). Intelmann and guitarist Benjamin Schlez departed in 2005, prompting Brauweiler to assume greater responsibility for playing instruments herself. Expanded personnel were tried for concerts, yet a stable configuration did not emerge until roughly 2008, when Daniel Baumann assumed instrumental duties and Barotti Marco joined on drums. The original lineup recorded 2005's Ruhig Blut ("Quiet Blood"), whereas the revised roster appeared on 2008's So Wie Jetzt ("Just as Now").