Last Thursday, I woke up in the middle of the night dizzy and disoriented. The room was rocking back and forth as if I were on a giant yacht. I was pretty convinced my bedroom set sail for a distant land while was sleeping. Was I just drunk and still reeling with euphoria from the sold out Craft Spells show earlier? I think I’m just abducted over and over by space pirates that target me when I’m happily wasted.
The Black Cat backstage was packed as I pushed my way to the front for Gardens and Villa. I was told they were great live, and I wanted to be up front to confirm the rumors. I should have liked them more than I did. Maybe I was distracted because I was gazing across a sea of heads to find a friend who was celebrating his birthday that day. Maybe the stars just weren’t aligned, and I was still fighting the sting of a space pirate penetration party. Regardless, something wasn’t meshing for me.
I really like the few recordings I’ve heard on thier bandcamp page, lovely blissed-out electronic indie that would peek Blackbird Blackbird’s interest. I was not expecting them to be as full of energy as they were, which was fine until they pulled out a flute. This put me off because that shit was just plain cheesy. This band has great appeal for fans of Yeasayer or MGMT’s Congratulations, and the crowd was really feeling them, so maybe I was just sort of out of it.
A sweltering heat swathes the stage as Craft Spells grace it amidst a blanket of steam. They open with the wistful and jaunty “Scandinavian Crush,” and I close my eyes to pretend they are singing about me for a moment, as they sing “If not tomorrow, when will it be?” I’m wondering why all guys can’t be as romantic and straight-forward, which is a huge part of the Craft Spells’ appeal; Justin Paul Vallesteros writes candid and genuine pop music that assures the most jaded and cynical of hearts that true love is out there somewhere.
Vallesteros’ gorgeous curls bounce on his forehead as he bobs to “Your Tomb,” and the ladies in the front scream as the song explodes with warmth like the intro to a John Hughes film. The whole room is dancing, and everyone is grinning from ear to ear. “From the Morning Heat” is a clap along song, and everyone is jumping and clapping and sweating. The fan girls are giggling and staring longingly for a que from Vallesteros that this one is for them. This song reminds me of how much I love The Bats, a compliment reserved for those who craft the highest level of blissful jangly pop, and Craft Spells deserve the praise.
“After the Moment” is utterly euphoric and perfectly captures that feeling you get when you first kiss someone you’ve been crushing on for years. I seriously heard this song in my head when I kissed my high school crush, which might explain the instant connection I felt to this song when I heard it. “Maybe it’s a kiss and your touch that makes me want you more than love.” Chills. As you’d figure, “Party Talk” and “From the Morning Heat”were amazing. At one point, Vallesteros jumps into the crowd, which kicks the rather static stage performance up a notch. Not to say they were not energetic and delightful live; they totally were worth coming out of the Black Cat backstage reeling from sweat and galactic space love.
