The lo-fi dream pop project of Caitlyn Whitfield, Pastel Dream is a testament to the enduring value of DIY art. Back in 2016, Spirit Goth Records released the self-titled debut Pastel Dream EP, four songs shimmering bright and drenched in reverb, and 2018 saw the band return with full-length record, Too Much Too Fast. Both records set out an aesthetic both textured and moving, forming lush sonic blankets that wrapped around the listener and welcomed them into a world of pastel dreams.
Creating such vivid sounds comes with its own problems, especially for young bands. Not least being able to gather band members together for the required time-span at a period in their lives where other commitments and/or pervasive instability mean that planning anything any time ahead of schedule can be near enough impossible. However, rather than throw in the towel, Pastel Dream has instead adapted to use whatever time and space is available. “I’ve had some rough patches getting together all the members of the band, and I currently cannot afford any in-studio work,” Whitfield explains, “but I love both writing and music production and I decided I am not gonna let these hold the project back.”
Today we’re delighted to share a result of this determination. ‘Tuesday’, a brand new Pastel Dream single that’s being released through Spirit Goth‘s net imprint, BIRTHDIY, turns disadvantage on its head, leaning into an endearing lo-fi style that a studio cannot offer. The run-time might clock in below two minutes but still the track packs commendable atmosphere, ethereal vocals swirling around the drum machine spine as synths streak and sparkle across the frame.
An entirely solo endeavour, from writing and playing to recording and mastering, the song is a lesson in a rebellious creative ethos. Yes, there are barriers to art, and the traditional path is closed to many, but that’s not to say that things cannot flourish in the cracks, if only we take the time to nurture and support them. “I wanna be able to put things out that I make myself […] I wanna be free, and not have to worry about things out of my control. I just wanna make music and show it to people, studio or no studio. So even though the song is so short and simple, it means a lot to me. ”