Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Castro and younger siblings Jackie and Michael released their first project as Castro (the band) on Friday.

Their “Diamond Dreams” EP jumped to number one on the iTunes singer-songwriter album chart.

Twenty-four hours after the EPs release, it was still clinging to that spot.

And with good reason.

Casto teased the release with two superb songs — the title track and “Automatic.”

Turns out it was more than a tease. The EP has to rank as one of the year’s best post-American Idol releases.

Other standout tracks on the seven-song EP include “Heart’s Coming Home” and “Know Me Well.”

The latter is about Jason’s eight-year musical journey since finishing fourth on the magical seventh season of American Idol, he confirmed during a Twitter party Friday afternoon to celebrate the EP’s release.

As for forming a family band …

“People had been telling us for years to do a band together! So happy it finally happened,” Jason, Jackie and Michael said on Twitter.

you want to learn more about the songs on the EP, head to the band’s Twitter account. Jason, Jackie and Michael have recorded a little video about the story behind each song. “Automatic,” embedded above, took a year to write, they say.

And if you like what you hear, chances are you’ll have a chance to see Castro live over the next couple of months.

They’re embarking on a 22-date tour beginning Friday in Austin, Texas.

And it will include stops in Pittsburgh (Oct. 19 at Rex Theater), Philly (Oct. 21 at Underground Arts) and D.C. (Oct. 22 at the U Street Music Hall).

Judging from their answers to questions posed during that Twitter party, you just might hear some of their favorite originals that didn’t make the EP, like “Crying Wolf,” “Head to My Heart” and “I See You.”

Ticket information is available through the Castro band’s Facebook page and website, where you can also order a physical copy of the new EP.