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.

The Fog Rose High

<a href="http://i-donline.com/2012/02/i-d-online-february-2012-mixtape/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> i-D Online: February 2012 Mixtape</a>

Some people were cool when they were at school, others weren't. Joe Goddard, Eats Everything, Nicolas Jaar, Shlomo, Soul Clap, Claude VonStroke, Wiley Brenmar, Ifan Dafydd, Kindness and Zomby are the masters of class. We've done our homework for this months mixtape, so you don't have to.  Thank us after.

Head <a href="http://i-donline.com/category/monthly-mixtapes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> for our full monthly mixtape back catalogue.

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