Craft Spells

Craft Spells, the project of Justin Vallesteros, emerged as a central figure in the early 2010s dream pop and 'Captured Tracks' sound. Based in Stockton, California, Vallesteros initially gained traction by blending the rhythmic urgency of New Order with the melodic jangle of The Smiths.

Their debut album, 'Idle Labor' (2011), is considered a touchstone of the era, helping define the aesthetic of bedroom-produced indie pop that utilized lo-fi textures to evoke high-fidelity emotions. The project's sound identity is built on interlocking guitar and synth lines, often treated with heavy modulation and reverb to create a 'shimmering' effect. Career-wise, the project shifted from the synth-heavy, drum-machine-driven debut to the more expansive and organic 'Nausea' (2014), which incorporated piano and strings, reflecting Vallesteros' growth as an arranger. Critically, they are praised for their ability to synthesize 80s influences without descending into mere pastiche, maintaining a distinctively Californian sense of melancholy. They occupy a cultural space alongside peers like Wild Nothing and Beach Fossils, serving as a bridge between the post-punk revival and the modern bedroom pop movement.