In the cold and dreary winter of 2009, alone in his bedroom and hidden from the darkness of the world outside Justin Paul Vallesteros had begun working on something that would change his life forever. What began as a couple notes played in experimentation soon transformed into vibrant melodies that soon shook Vallesteros’ musical foundation to the core. Guitar chords laced over pulse sating synth melodies and drum rhythms was a departure from Justin’s previous work; he began to create the dreamy nostalgic pop music that is Craft Spells. Justin is a California native who now finds residence in the mid-size town of Stockton, the heart of California. Craft Spells is the epitome of the recent uprising of the DIY music scene. Coming from a place not known for its musical history or impact on music culture it seemed destined for Craft Spells to stay as a bedroom pop project with no final destination in sight. But soon the shear amount of blog volume his work began to generate was unimaginable. Sites like Weekly Tape Deck, Pasta Primavera, No Modest Bear and Pitchfork’s Forkcast took notice and thus began the never ending worldwide posting and re-posting on blog after blog of Craft Spells. The sound is led by Justin’s blissful voice, backed behind beautiful guitar melodies over heavenly synths, pop basslines and looped rhythms. Captured Tracks has released 7” single for the song “Party Talk” and will release the debut LP due out in Spring 2011 called Idle Labor. 2011 is going to be a busy year now that Justin has set up a live band for future touring. Keep a look out for tour dates in Europe and US come the new year. In no time at all, Justin has been able to move out of Dave Brubeck and Pavement’s shadow to create something his own which he shares with the ever continuing admiration of the world.

After the Moment

Coconut Records - West Coast

She stood by the edge of the floor, unsure if she should let go or stay guarded. He saw her there, half hidden in the haze, half glowing in the strobe light,  and it felt like destiny queued up their song.
When he reached out his hand, it wasn’t just an invitation to dance. It was a call to live.
The crowd around them blurred into color and motion as their feet found the beat… twisting, stomping, swaying through decades of rhythm. Each move was a rebellion against regret, each spin a promise to feel something real before the night fades away.
“Let’s Dance (Like We’re Never Gonna Dance Again)” — Rhoniq | Sonic Dominion 
A night of rhythm, romance, and everything you wish could last forever. 
#LetsDance #Rhoniq #SonicDominion #PopSoul #DiscoLove #RetroRomance #FeelTheRhythm #NewMusic #DanceAgain

LET’S DANCE (LIKE WE’RE NEVER GONNA DANCE AGAIN)

The Shins - Australia (Peter Bjorn & John Remix)

I had a lot of fun with San Cisco making this track. Drop by www.stevenschram.com for updates.

San Cisco - Awkward

Track 5 off Starfucker's Self-Titled Debut released on Badman 2008.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/rawnald-gregory-erickson-second/id290359552?i=290359609


Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second

opening track off debut album "Starfucker" released on Badman.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/s-r/id290359552

Florida

Download Gossamer on iTunes: http://smarurl.it/gossamer


Carried Away

Passion Pit, Chunk of Change EP - "Cuddle Fuddle"

'Water' out May 10th on Fire Talk

Pre Order: firetalkrecs.com/shop/dehdwater

Spotify: spoti.fi/2Nh879I
Apple Music: apple.co/2TYjTs9

Love is everyday magic. That’s the impression you get listening to Water, the new album by Chicago trio Dehd. Veterans of Chicago’s increasingly fruitful DIY scene Jason Balla ( Ne-Hi and Earring) Emily Kempf (Vail and formerly with Lala Lala) and drummer Eric McGrady share a strange and inexplicable chemistry. Love rises up into the atmosphere like steam off a summer sidewalk and makes you wild. Love breaks your heart and you consider yourself lucky for it. Like water itself, it surrounds us, it supports us; it’s what we’re made of. It takes the shape of its container. The music is hazy and reverb-drenched, a scuzzy and hyped-up take on surf rock that could only come from the Third Coast. It’s all animated by the red-lining feel-good spirit of the Velvet Underground’s Loaded and the breezy melodicism of C86-era indie rock, with a dash of the Cramps’ spooky-hop bop courtesy of McGrady’s locomotive drumming.It’s a clear-eyed look at the wild nature of everyday life that’s been spun up in sugary sweet melodies and scratched-crystal sounds. More than anything, it’s the embodiment of Dehd’s m.o. from the start: As Kempf puts it, “Work with what you have and make it magical.”

Lucky

From the album, Curiosity, available 5/14/13 here: http://www.polyvinylrecords.com/curiosity 

Passion Pit, Chunk of Change EP - "Cuddle Fuddle"

foundations

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