CALLA

Calla is a band that found its roots in the eclectic and post-punk musical landscape of Texas via New York City and Brooklyn at the start of 1996. They shared a passion for music from their school days in Texas to their shared experiences in the East Village music scene of New York in the mid-90s. The band consists of Aurelio Valle (guitars/keys/songwriter/vocals/producer), Wayne B. Magruder (drums/programming/percussion), Peter Gannon(Bass guitar/ keys), and Sean Donovan (keys/bass/programming). 

In the early '90s, the band formed in Denton, Texas. Where longtime high school bandmates Aurelio Valle and Peter Gannon met Wayne B. Magruder and formed The Factory Press. The band left an imprint on the Dallas and Austin music scene playing darker elements of post-punk infused with a Texas roots sound.  The band released a 7" and an EP on Austin's ND records before making the move to New York City. There they shared the stage and found kinship with bands like Jonathan Fire-Eater and Speedball Baby; they recorded their final album, "The Smoky Ends of a Burnt Out Day," under the guidance of producers Kid Congo Powers (The Cramps, The Gun Club, Nick Cave) and Matt Verta-Ray (Madder Rose, Speedball Baby) before splitting and forming Calla.

After the dissolution of The Factory Press, Valle and Magruder explored different musical avenues from roots, blues, garage, slowcore, shoegaze and electronic experimental music. In late '97, Calla's seeds were sown, driven by their vision to fuse vintage sounds with experimental and modern influences. Longtime collaborator Sean Donovan joined, laying the foundation for what would become a force in the New York alternative music scene.

The band's debut album received critical acclaim, setting the stage for their collaboration with Michael Gira of The Swans on their second album. Anticipation surrounded the forthcoming release in the winter of 2000 on Young God Records (in the USA) and Sub Rosa (worldwide). Eventually, delivering critically acclaimed records for Arena Rock Label and Beggars Group. The band toured worldwide and played with the likes of fellow New York friends and musicians Interpol, The Walkmen, Yeah Yeah Yeah's, The National, Secret Machines, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Cat Power and many others.

As a solo artist, Aurelio Valle released the record Acme Power Transmission to rave reviews. The record included a critically acclaimed song, Electraglide, written for and performed by Nina Persson of The Cardigans.

In recent years, the band has worked on different projects; Aurelio Valle scores music for documentaries, television, and film. While collaborating with Wayne Magruder on new material, they decided to finish a new record with the promise of a 2024 release.

Calla's musical legacy is a testament to the power of collaboration and a commitment to pushing artistic boundaries. With each note, they bridge the gap between the past and the present, crafting a distinctive sound that captivates listeners and establishes Calla as a force in the ever-evolving landscape of alternative music.