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NEWS
August 5th, 2008 New shows added: AUG. 16TH - Ottawa Folk Festival - Ottawa, ON. SEPT. 11TH - Trapper John's - St. John's, NFLD. see "live shows" page for details... May 26th, 2008 I'm currently in San Francisco recording a new album to be released this October! Can't wait for you to hear it. I'm lucky to be working with the very talented, Tim Bluhm, of the Mother Hips who is the producing the project and I have the distinct pleasure of getting to play with some amazing Bay Area and LA musicians, including members of the the Mother Hips and the Animal Liberation Orchestra (ALO). Look for new photos and video of the recording sessions to be posted soon... March 8th, 2008 Heading back for shows on the East Coast... March 23d - Paradise Lounge - Boston, MA. March 24th - Bitter End - NYC, NY.
March 28th - Cutting Room - NYC, NY.
...see more details on "live shows" page.
February 5th, 2008 More shows added in SoCal: Feb. 19th - The Hotel Cafe - Los Angeles, CA. Feb. 21st - Zoey's Cafe - Ventura, CA. Feb. 27th - The Hotel Utah Saloon - San Francisco, CA.
March 6th - Zoey's Cafe - Ventura, CA.
March. 8th - Room 5 - Los Angeles, CA.
March 14th - Live at The Lounge - Hermosa Beach, CA.
...details on "live shows" page
January 2, 2008 Two new shows in Southern California..
Jan. 12th - Lestat's - San Diego, CA
March 7th - Zoey's Cafe - Ventura, CA
...more dates to come.
November 9, 2007
Chris has made it out to the West Coast and will be playing the following dates in California:
Nov. 21 - The Mint - Los Angeles, CA.
Nov. 27 - Lasr Day Saloon - Santa Rosa, CA.
Dec. 11 - Blue Cafe - Long Beach, CA.
Dec. 19 - Hotel Cafe - Los Angeles, CA.
Jan. 12 - Lestat's - San Diego, CA.
...see the "live shows" page for more details.
October 20, 2007
New dates...
Oct. 24 - On the Rise Bakery - Richmond, VT.
Oct. 25 - UVM - WDW Complex - Burlington, VT.
Oct. 26 - Sweetwater Cafe - Boston, MA.
Oct. 27 - Rockwood Music Hall - NYC, NY.
Nov. 15 - Lestat's - San Diego, CA.
Nov. 21 - The Mint - Los Angeles, CA.
...see "live shows" for more details.
October 1, 2007
New dates opening for ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra)...
Oct. 10 - Paradise - Boston, MA
Oct. 11 - Bowery Ballroom - NYC, NY
Oct. 13 - The State Theater - Falls Church, VA.
...see "live shows" for more details.
September 15, 2007 New Fall shows... Sept. 20th - Tribeca - Halifax, NS.
Sept. 29th - Molson Stadium - Montreal. "Step Up For the Cure" cancer research fundraiser. Oct. 9th - Jello Bar - Montreal. w/ Current Swell Oct. 16th - Rainbow Bar - Ottawa, ON. w/Current Swell. Oct. 17th - Drake Hotel - Toronto, ON. w/ Current Swell. Oct. 18th - The Underground - Hamilton, ON. w/Current Swell. Oct. 27th - The Fire - Philadelphia, PA. Nov. 5th - Neutral Ground, - New Orleans, LA. ...see "live shows" page for more details.
August 20, 2007
New concert updates...
August 25-26- VERMONT ROOTS REGGAE FESTIVAL - cancelled
Sept. 1 - BOARDFEST, Huntington Beach Pier, CA
Sept. 2 - BOARDFEST, Huntington Beach Pier, CA
Sept. 12 - PARADISE LOUNGE, Boston, MA - w. guest Jeff Conley
...see "live shows" page for more details
June 18, 2007
Some exciting new shows for the Summer...
July 15- CISCO OTTAWA BLUES FESTIVAL. festival link
July 18 - CAFE CAMPUS, Montreal, QC - Opening for Brett Dennan. August 3 - BLACKSHEEP INN, Wakefield, QC - w/ special guest, Dala Girls
August 11 - MONT TREMBLANT SUMMER SERIES, Mont Tremblant, QC
August 25-26 - VERMONT ROOTS REGGAE FESTIVAL, Coventry, Vermont. festival link
June 2, 2007
New show dates added!
June 8- 43 NORTH, Jackson Hole, WY, start time @8 pm
June 10 -INDIEFEST, Pagosa Springs, CO. Start time 1:15 pm
June 12 - THE REEF, Boise, Idaho. Start time 8
June 13 - THE LEAF AND BEAN, Bozeman, MT. Start time 7:30
June 14 -LYDIA'S PUB, Saskatoon, Sask. Start time 9.
June 15 - ACADEMY COFFEE CO., Winnipeg, Man. Start time @8
June 16 - THE APOLLO, Thunder Bay, Ontario. Start time TBA
See "LIVE SHOWS" page for more details...
May 10, 2007
Chris has been added to this years' Cisco Ottawa Blues Festival. He will be performing on Sunday, July 15th at the Barney Danson Stage, starting at 9:30. This year's line-up includes: Bob Dylan, Kanye West, Randy Newman, Metric, Femi Kuti, Bela Fleck, Blue Rodeo, INXS, Los Lobos, Manu Chao, Steve Miller Band, The White Stripes and many more....
April 3, 2007
New Spring festival date added:
Chris will be playing at New Music West in Vancouver, BC on May 2nd at the Yale Hotel (1300 Granville Street). Show details to follow...
March 26, 2007
New summer festival date added: Chris will be playing at Indiefest Music Festival in Pagosa Springs, Colorado on Sunday, June 10th. Check out the festival website here.
March 10, 2007
Added Tour Date....
March 21 - Garibaldi Lift Company, Whistler, B.C. (show starts at 9)
March 27 - Baru, Vancouver B.C. (2535 Alma) - (show starts at 7) January 15, 2007 CHRIS' UPCOMING TOUR DATES: Feb. 16- Sneaky Dees,
Feb. 18- Cafe Campus, (opening for Feb.23- Metropolis, March 1- Blacksheep Inn, March 2- War Child Canada Fundraiser, Kingston, ON March 4- El Mocambo, Toronto (Matt York and Jamil opening)
March 6- Wise Guys on Campus, Winnipeg, MB - University of Manitoba March 8- Lydia's Pub, Saskatoon,SK March 9- The Palomino, Calgary March 14-Doc Willoughby's, Kelowna, BC March 15- Media Club - Vancouver, BC March 16 - Central Bar & Grill - Victoria, BC (opening for Hey Ocean) November 12, 2006 UPCOMING SHOW:
Tuesday, November 21 - Paradise Lounge, Boston, MA (w/Jesse Ciarmataro) Doors open at 8. Jesse starts at 9. Chris starts at 10. October 7, 2006
UPCOMING MARITIMES TOUR:
October 11, 2006-Vieux Poele Pub, Edmunston, N.B. (Starting 11 p.m) October 12, 2006-Baba's Lounge, Charlottetown, P.E.I. (Opening for Johnny Stevens; starting 10:30)
October 13, 2006-Vinnie's Pub, St. Vincent's University, Bedford, N.S.
October 16, 2006-Tribeca, Halifax, N.S.
October 17, 2006-Bugaboo Creek Pub Lounge, Fredericton, N.B.
October 31, 2006-Le Spectrum, Montreal, QC
(Opening for the Refugee All Stars)
November 1, 2006-The Opera House, Toronto, ON (Opening for the Refugee All Stars September 5, 2006 Upcoming show:
SEPTEMBER 9TH - University of Ottawa, Hull
(Aubry Street corner of Hotel de Ville)
August 27, 2006
Upcoming show:
AUGUST 31, REVIVAL in Toronto (783 College, corner Shaw). Solo w/Yoav opening
August 10, 2006
I'll be playing a solo show (accompanied by Sara Johnston) at MONT-TREMBLANT this SATURDAY, AUGUST 12TH as part of their ongoing summer concert series. There will be three, 45-minute sets starting at 1:30, 2:45 and 4:00 p.m. The stage is located at La Tour des Voyageurs at the bottom of the Cabriolet
lift. There are also several shows to be announced in Ontario for the end of August so keep posted for the dates and deets. July 6, 2006
There will be a 30-minute piece about Chris and the Refugee All Stars project aired between 10 a.m. and noon on the CBC Radio One program,"Sounds like Canada". The piece was put together by David Gutnick and will be heard nationally.
July 5, 2006
Thanks to all fans and friends who made it out for my outdoor shows at the Montreal Jazz Fest. They were a huge success and it was in no small part to the great vibe that was created by everyone there. We'll have video footage of the performance up on the site soon so keep checking in...
June 6, 2006
It's now official: Chris and his band will be playing two free shows at the MONTREAL JAZZ FESTIVAL on the outdoor Samsung Stage on Friday, June 30th. First show goes form 8-9 pm, the second is from 10-11pm.
June 2, 2006
Check out the updated media page to watch Chris' interview on CBC television and to listen to his interview on CBC radio.
May 19, 2006
Upcoming shows:
June 14 - Outerland, Edgartown, Mass.
opening for the Refugee All Stars www.refugeeallstars.org
June 15 - Pearl Street, Northhampton,Mass.
opening for the Refugee All Stars
July 4 - Mod Club Theater, Toronto
I'm back in Mtl. after a fun month of shows across the country - just in time for Spring...and an upcoming early-evening SHOWCASE that I'll be playing with the band on TUESDAY,MAY 9TH at PUB QUARTIER LATIN in Montreal (318 Ontario east,between St-Denis and Sanguinet). We start playing at 6:30 pm but the event will start at 5 pm. All are welcome.
April 14, 2006
Chris' song, "Shiver", is featured on the latest mountain bike film from the Collective, entitled "Roam". Visit the Roam Website for more info.
April 12, 2006
Hello from Golden, BC. The tour has been going great - we've played some memorable shows and have met allkinds of new folks. Here are some NEW SHOW DATES that have been added on:
April 16 - The Drake, Canmore, Alberta
April 18 - Salt Lick, Banff, AB
April 19 - The Palomino, Calgary, AB
April 22 - Academy Bar, Winnipeg, AB
April 26 - Revival, Toronto, Ontario
May 9 - Quartier Latin, Montreal (showcase)
There's more a comin' so stay tuned (check the "Live Shows" page for more details)...
March 29, 2006
CANADIAN TOUR...I'll be starting a Canadian tour at the beginning of April playing solo shows from Vancouver to Montreal with the very talented Sara Johnston www.sarajohnston.com. So far, the dates are as follows:
April 2, 2006 - Tapley's Pub, Whistler, BC
April 3, 2006 - The Reef, Vancouver, BC
April 4, 2006 -The Media Club, Vancouver, BC April 7, 2006 -Minstrel Cafe, Kelowna, BC
...More and more dates will be added so keep checking back for shows in your town. March 13, 2006
This song has been turning up in all sorts of strange places form Khathmandu to Kinshasa,
Bueno Aries to Beijing. So to make it easy,
click here for a free download of "Sweet Mary",
a song Chris wrote when he was in the band "Equalizer".
February 14, 2006
A new video excerpt has been added to the media page, taken from Chris' show at 14 Below in Santa Monica. The song is called, "World-Wide Gun" and the video was edited by Banker White.
February 13, 2006
Two new shows have been added on for March:
*Wednesday, March 22nd at Casa del Popolo, Montreal (4873 St Laurent, corner St-Joseph) w/ part band.
*Friday, March 31st at Quartier Latin, Montreal (318 Ontario east, corner St-Denis) w/full band.
February 12, 2006
I've pulled together some great musicians for my new band and would like to introduce you to them. They are: Joe Majeur (drums), Pascal Andrus (bass) and Sandy Belfort (keys).Give them a hand...
February 10, 2006
View Chris' new electronic press kit (EPK) on Sonicbids.com.
February 5, 2006
New MySpace Page
February 1, 2006
The documentary film, " The Refugee All Stars", will be showing at several film festivals in the U.S. over February-April. As the film's musical director, Chris will be accompanying the Refugee All Stars band during these festivals for their first-ever performances to an American audience. For the latest news,screening dates and touring information, check the Refugee Allstars' site:
You can also buy the Refugee All Stars' album, "Living Like a Refugee", online at CD Baby. All proceeds go to the band and the album was produced by Chris. Visit:
January 30, 2006
Review of "Twitter, Buzz, Howl" on Scene and Heard.ca:
January 24, 2006 Review of "Twitter, Buzz, Howl" on CdReviews.com:
January 21, 2006
Review of "Twitter, Buzz, Howl" in January Issue of Zink Magazine (NYC):
"...Laced with intoxicaing lyrics and addictive rhythms, his contagious songwriting will course through your system with the perfect blend of acoustic ballads and reggae-infused anthems.."
NK
January 3, 2006
Feature article in Soulshine Magazine:
December 14, 2005
Review of "Twitter, Buzz, Howl" from the Times and Transcript (Moncton, New Brunswick):
"Poppy, bluesy and somewhat funky folk rock. Fans of John Mayer would probably dig this, but those who don't like Mayer shouldn't give this Montreal native the cold shoulder without at least giving him a chance.
He has a soulful voice and a knack for writing neat little pop songs. Opener "There You Are" and"Best Of Me" are light, upbeat tunes that could both be hits on adult pop radio, while "Long Way From Home" has a slightly darker tone, but remains poppy.
"Batmobile is a fun acoustic tune that brings back childhood memories.
A good singer and songwriter, I can see Velan's stuff being played alongside Mayer, Jack Johnson and the like."
ERIC LEWIS
December 8, 2005
Review of "Twitter, Buzz, Howl" from the Gazette (Montreal):
"A friend described Montrealer Chris Velan as a cross between Jack Johnson and Paul Simon. It's not far off the mark. Velan's breezy folk-pop is heartfelt, wide-eyed,earnest and honest. Hints of reggae (carried over from his old band Equalizer) lend warmth and lilt. Velan is a storyteller with romantic leanings. He sings of little things and big things, weaving them naturally into his whimsical songs. This is a strong solo debut by a promising singer-songwriter- just right for winter nesting"
T'CHA DUNLEVY
April 25, 2005
Review of "It's Not What You Think" on CD Reviews.com:
March 10, 2004
Review of "It's Not What You Think" from Exclaim.ca:
"On his eight-song solo debut,Montreal songsmith Chris Velan offers a melange of acoustic musical styles. It's Not What You Think features folk rock backed by a soulful attitude and one catchy chorus follows another. Melodic guitar picking marks all eight songs. The second song, the politically charged, "Body Count", melodically echoes Eagle-Eye Cherry's, "Save Tonight". Here,Velan voices with well-versed irony his critique of the media and foreign interference in national conflicts. The song's chorus poignantly paints this picture: "Give us the body count/ We want to know how much to care". In the last verse of "Lights On" , Velan's delivery gets playful and he rhymes off a few lines that recall the Barenaked Ladies technique in "One Week". Prior to going solo, Velan played in the reggae band Equalizer with his two brothers; these reggae roots are still prevalent in his rhythmic playing. "Sweet Mary", an ode to the forbidden leaf, is the best illustration of Velan's island leanings. Overall, this talented troubadour sounds like a milkshake made up of Eagle-Eye Cherry, Bob Marley, Paul Simon and the Barenaked Ladies- a flavourful concoction that creates a savoury listening experience.
DAVID McPHERSON
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