Chris Velan is a Montreal-based singer-songwriter and guitarist.
Chris Velan | |
|---|---|
 Chris Velan & Friends' performance inside the Ritz PDB venue photographed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, guitarist |
| Instrument | Guitar |
Career
editWhile in college, he studied law.[1][2] After passing the bar, he traveled to West Africa where he was the music producer of a documentary film about a group of refugee musicians from Sierra Leone.[2][3]
In 2003 Velan returned from West Africa, releasing his debut solo album It's Not What You Think, which incorporated a mix of his old and new influences ranging from folk, pop and rock to world music and reggae.
Live, Velan uses a loop pedal which thickens and layers the music, as he performs live as a one-man band.[2] His last album Solidago was released on NewSong Recordings.[4] This is his third solo album and some of the artists featured on this album include San Francisco artists The Mother Hips, Animal Liberation Orchestra, Jackie Greene and Adam Topol (Culver City Dub Collective, Jack Johnson (musician).[5]
Influences
editVelan's influences include Neil young, Cat Stevens, Robbie Robertson, Van Morrison and Mark Knopfler
Velan has been compared to artists including Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, and Jack Johnson.[4][6] Due to his use of the loop pedal at his live performances, he has also been compared to KT Tunstall.[7]
Experience
editVelan has performed with well-known acts across North America including:
| Artist | Venue – Location |
|---|---|
| Duffy | Metropolis – Montreal, QC |
| ALO | Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY |
| Brett Dennen | Cafe Campus – Montreal, QC |
| Johnny Clegg | Metropolis – Montreal, QC |
| Corrine Bailey Rae | Mod Club – Toronto, ON |
Discography
edit- Solo
- Songs About Songs – 19 May 2023
- Amateur Hour – 14 September 2018
- Glow – 2 March 2016
- The Long Goodbye – 23 July 2013
- Fables for Fighters – 7 June 2011
- Solidago – Released 7 April 2009
- Twitter, Buzz, Howl – 8 January 2007
- It's Not What You Think – 25 November 2003
- With Equalizer
- Rise (1998) – Peter UnPlugged
- As Producer
- Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars -"Living Like a Refugee" (2006) – Anti- Records[8]
References
edit- ^ Corlija, Melvin (7 May 2009). "Reggae sounds flavor new CD as Chris Velan visits the Artisan – Columbia Daily Tribune | Columbia Missouri: Go! Magazine". Columbiatribune.com. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- ^ a b c "Concert: Chris Velan – Festival International de Jazz de Montréal". Montrealjazzfest.com. 7 July 2009. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- ^ "Home". Sierraleonesrefugeeallstars.com. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- ^ a b "Solidago by Chris Velan on Blurt Online". Archived from the original on 8 June 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
- ^ "Chris Velan: Solidago on JamBase". Jambase.com. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- ^ "Chris Velan : Chris Velan: A Shiver of Gladness : Soul Shine Magazine". Soulshine.ca. 1 January 2006. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- ^ "Staff Blogs | Burlington Free Press". burlingtonfreepress.com. 1 April 2014. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- ^ "Living Like a Refugee: Liner Notes: NOTE FROM PRODUCERS/FILMMAKERS". ANTI-. Archived from the original on 14 April 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2011.