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.

Beauty Above All

The Hearse

Memoryhouse on Sub Pop: http://www.subpop.com/artists/memoryhouse

The Slideshow Effect

The Kids Were Wrong

Memoryhouse - The Kids Were Wrong

Fall

"Shadow Expert" is the second single from Palm's forthcoming EP, "Shadow Expert", out June 16th on Carpark Records.

Pre-orders available here:
Carpark shop - http://smarturl.it/shadowexpert_carpark
iTunes - http://smarturl.it/shadowexpert_itunes

The band also announced a handful of North American summer tour dates to celebrate the release of their new record. Tickets will be available at 11am est on April 25th.

June 23rd - Brooklyn, NY - Baby's All Right
June 24th - Philadelphia, PA - PhilaMOCA
July 5th - Lakewood, OH - Mahall's
July 6th - Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen
July 7th - Madison, WI - The Frequency
July 8th - St. Paul, MN - Turf Club
July 11th - Seattle, WA - Timbre Room
July 12th - Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios
July 14th - San Francisco, CA - Brick & Mortar Music Hall
July 15th - Los Angeles, CA - Bootleg Theatre
July 16th - San Diego, CA - Soda Bar
July 17th - Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar
July 19th - Austin, TX - The Mohawk
July 20th - Dallas, TX - Double Wide
July 21st - New Orleans, LA - Gasa Gasa
July 22nd - Atlanta, GA - The Earl
July 23rd - Asheville, NC - The Mothlight
July 24th - Durham, NC - The Pinhook
July 25th - Richmond, VA - Strange Matter
July 26th - Washington, DC - DC9
July 27th - Kingston, NY - BSP Kingston
July 28th - Allston, MA - Great Scott
July 29th - Providence, RI - Aurora

Palm - Shadow Expert

https://gorgeousbully.bandcamp.com/album/great-blue

HOLSTEN

Autoimmune

Summer Owl (2016)

Craft Spells 'Gallery' CD/12" EP is now available on Captured Tracks. 

http://capturedtracks.com/artists/craftspells/

Craft Spells // Warmth

https://orchid-mantis.bandcamp.com/album/yellow-house

dying light

Soft Blue Shimmer's debut album Nothing Happens Here out June 28th, 2019 on Disposable America.

Pre-order the album on digital and cassette @ https://disposableamerica.bandcamp.com/album/nothing-happens-here

Soft Blue Shimmer "Chamoy"

first track from new EP 'long division' out 1/10
https://orchid-mantis.bandcamp.com/album/long-division

long division

straw dogs

We're not the best, but we're pretty good.