CRAFT SPELLS IN CONCERT:
For an artist who typically makes music in the solitude of his bedroom, Craft Spells, aka Justin Vallesteros, is a surprisingly charismatic performer. While he writes and records as a solo artist, on the road Craft Spells recruits a backing band comprised of guitarist Javier Suarez and drummer Andy Lum, who complement his hazy, dreamy tracks with lush guitars and crisp percussion. From the danceable dream pop tune "Party Talk" to the whispery, synth-washed single "Breaking the Angle Against the Tide", Vallesteros' wistful lyricism is layered atop blissful, meticulous arrangements to stunning effect. His songs translate beautifully to the stage -- Craft Spells concerts always charm ticket buyers with a mesmerizing blend of lush tunes, understated showmanship, and electric energy.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Craft Spells is the brainchild of Justin Vallesteros, who grew up recording guitar-driven indie rock music in his bedroom in Stockton, CA. Propelled by his breakthrough track "Party Talk" -- a hazy dream pop song that quickly saturated the blogosphere -- he released the EP Beauty Above All and subsequently landed a deal with Brooklyn-based label Captured Tracks. In 2011 he released his first album Idle Labor, a retro-inspired collection awash in '80s synths that earned him comparisons to New Order and Ian Curtis. The following year he released the EP Gallery and embarked on extensive touring across North America, Europe, and Asia, also making festival appearances at South by Southwest and Northside. Not long after that Craft Spells unplugged from social media and technology to devote his time to learning the piano and writing the warm, dreamy songs that would make up his sophomore album. The result was 2014's critically acclaimed Nausea, a stellar slice of catchy surf rock tunes fans can't wait to hear live.
