Why Not Share This New Craft Spells Track?

1005485_10152016345456055_1677839790_nThe name Craft Spells has essentially become synonymous with bedroom pop music that will set your feet to dancing and your head spinning with each dreamy soundscapes, so when I see that there’s a new track from this project of Justin Vallesteros, I have to share it with you. It looks like this new track comes from an upcoming 7″ that will be released October 30th via Captured Tracks, and it still features the swirling pop from before, but this time around it feels like that swirling pop has been dowsed in a healthy dose of funk. The beat is slowed, and bursts of strange synth sounds crop up regularly. It’s a chill tune, but one that manages to hold your attention all the way through. What do you think?

 

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Show Pics: Craft Spells @ Red7 (3/3)

Craft SpellsTuesday night had a couple of shows and this time around, we made the tough choice to go with the touring acts hitting Red7 over a sweet local show at Cheer Up. We know it is overwhelming right now, trying to think about waht bands to see with SxSW just around the corner.

Craft Spells brought along an ATH favorite The Bilinda Butchers; call it a Captured Tracks mini-showcase. Locals Whiite Walls opened the night. I ended up shooting in black and white just for fun.

Hope you enjoy. Click through for more thoughts and plenty of pics…

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Show Preview: Craft Spells @ Red 7 (3.3)

Craft-SpellsThere’s always a lull right before SXSW, so you’ve got to grab onto the great shows while you’ve got the time.  Tuesday night offers the dream pop of Craft Spells, and you’re really going to want to be in attendance for this gig. The band have capitalized on two great albums, Idle Labor and Nausea, both on Captured Tracks; they’ve built a name for themselves on creating music that will entrance you, erasing everything around you so that you’re lost in their work.  Personally, I’m also really excited to see openers The Bilinda Butchers who I’ve been onto for years, and locals Whiite Walls.  It’s going to be a beautiful night of tunes, so join me at the show, won’t you?

Here’s song from Craft Spells and Bilinda Butchers. Tickets are $12; you can buy them HERE.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/10.-Breaking-the-Angle-Against-the-Tide.mp3] [audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/The-Bilinda-Butchers-HEAVEN-02-Less-Than.mp3]

Another New Single from Craft Spells

craftyAnyone else feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the great releases coming our way just as summer hits?  Well, if you’re like us, then you might be, but this Craft Spells single is pretty much guaranteeing the band’s new album, Nausea, some space in our summer playlist.  As I listen, I’m really impressed by the approach the band has taken, creating a pretty straightforward piece of pop, void of the typical tricks of bedroom pop.  There’s great clarity in the vocals and music approaches a grand scale.  Need another great record to add to your list of things to pick up? Here it is…it’ll be out on Captured Tracks on June 10th.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/138917325″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Enjoy This New One From Craft Spells

9WqaxpUS65_CFmTW4oJO9GwShLo5p3TYQouPbWRJ18QI’ve been jamming this new track “Breaking the Angle Against the Tide” by ATH approved Craft Spells for a few days now, and I would dare anyone to find anything wrong with it.  Sure it’s not perfect, but the hazy, pop sound here seems to get better and better with each spin.  Give it a whirl and lemme know what you think.

Pick up new album, Nausea, on June 10th via Captured Tracks.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/10.-Breaking-the-Angle-Against-the-Tide.mp3]

Download: Craft Spells – Breaking the Angle Against the Tide [MP3]

 

Friday Is for Pop Music: Hibou

hibouThis track from Hibou jumped out yesterday, and I wanted to save it for today, so I could send you off in a good mood heading into the weekend.  This track is brimming with dance-floor ready goodness, using catchy beats to really influence the listener.  It’s no surprise, as the man behind the music, Peter Michel, has been working with Craft Spells on tour for some time, so I fully expect this sort of deliciousness. This track is slated to be released on his upcoming full length, which will surely make those electro-pop fans giddy; we’ll keep you posted on the details.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Hibou-Hide-Away.mp3]

Download: Hibou – Hide Away [MP3]

Catching Up With The IT Dept. (v2.1)

It is a new year, the last year if you believe the Mayans or Mitch Daniels. This makes your choice of tunes all that much more important.

And so I begin the year with a smattering of songs I have been listening to in the very recent past that I want to share under the guise of new tunes from the IT Dept. I think I will hit Metronomy, Chad Valley, Elite Gymnastics, Craft Spells and Mansions on the Moon. Call this the electro-downtempo-chill-dance-jam session of the IT Dept. Whatever. Can’t fade me…

So on to the streaming goodness.
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Craft Spells – Idle Labor

Rating: ★★★½☆

It’s not that Craft Spells are necessarily a new band, nor are they one bringing you anything particularly new in the way of bedroom pop, but that isn’t going to devalue their version, or your likelihood of unlimited enjoyment.  Captured Tracks has just released the group’s record, Idle Labor, and like similar artists coming off the label, it’s chock full of shaking percussion and darkly tinged lyrical affectation, leaving listeners spinning about their bedrooms or dingy clubs, whatever works.

One of the first winners from Idle Labor is going to be “You Should Close the Door,” which has a hint of jangle to the guitar work, though it leans more towards a certain lo-fi affinity along coastal regions.  The bright hues of the chords are juxtaposed with the baritone vocals of JP Vallesteros, providing a haunting effect for those with their ears tuned in closely.  But, while the guitars play an underlying role in the sound of Craft Spells, it’s the percussive element that definitely influences the band and fans alike.

“Your Tomb” really has a steady pacing to its drumming, which gives a pleasurable pace to a track that otherwise appears quiet.  Gentle touches of percussion dictated the movement in your feet, and you’ll know after a couple of spins precisely what I’m talking about here, as your feet will grow weary.  Okay, perhaps the sharply ornate guitar sound coming from tracks such as “After the Moment,” probably contradict the idea that guitar sounds are meant to service the drumming here, but that’s precisely what seems to make Idle Labor ultimately successful.  You’re enjoying the groove of it all, then comes a track that encourages the swaying of hips and possible twee two-stepping on the dance floor.

However, it’s not all pseudo-angular dance moments, as there’s definitely a subtle new-wave vibe you’ll find featured in various tracks.  “Given the Time” begins with a darker intro than almost all the other tracks, yet it quickly picks back up into the 80s vibe of swirling melodies surrounded by somewhat monotone vocal displays.  Sure, you can probably do a nice stomp of the boot if you’re sticking to the bass groove on the track, but it definitely has an underlying pop element that’s buried, more so than on other tracks. “Party Talk” has the same mannerisms, once you consider some programmed percussive elements being added here, which don’t dominate Idle Labor, as much as one might think, not noticeably at least.  It also features a great deal of experimentation, when you compare it to some of the more minimalist songs.

It’s easy to say that Craft Spells have crafted (see what I did there) another bedroom gem for Captured Tracks, but the more you involve yourself in a close listening process, the more other elements slowly begin to leak out, making this more than just a casual listen for fans of the style.  Idle Labor, while stylistically similar to other acts on the label, and in the scene in general, eventually moves itself out from beneath its peers, leaving you with a deeply personal listen that’s fitting for play at home, at the office or at the club…what a trifecta of pop magic.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/After-the-Moment-1.mp3]

Download: Craft Spells -After the Moment [MP3]

More New Music From Craft Spells

Not long ago, our very own Mr. Lankford shared a sweet new track from up and coming Captured Tracks band Craft Spells.  Well now the band has given us another new track called “You Should Close the Door” that I’ve immediately taken a liking to.  The number has a sweet backing beat behind it with pop sensibilities reminiscent of several ATH favorites like POBAH or The Drums.  I can’t seem to get enough of this shit.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/craft-spells-you-should-close-the-door.mp3]

Download: Craft Spells – You Should Close the Door [MP3]

New Tunes from Craft Spells

It’s going to be a huge year for Captured Tracks, and it’s got me super giddy sitting here at my desk. They’ve got releases from Minks, The Beets and who knows what else.  One band I don’t know a great deal about, but I’ve been jamming all day via P4K is Craft Spells (not to be confused with Cast Spells). Sure, it’s got that club-disco swing groove to it, but you mix that with a bit of far-off vocal effects and you’ll have me swinging my arms from side to side.  Honestly, that’s probably not such a bad thing, and a decent way to kick off the weekend. Maybe it’ll help get you started.  And you’re sure to find more hits like this on March 1st when the band releases their full-length, Idle Labor.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/After-the-Moment-1.mp3]

Download: Craft Spells -After the Moment [MP3]