A classically trained guitar player from the age of nine, Chris Velan grew up listening to an eclectic mix of music ranging from classic singer/songwriters (Dylan, Cohen, Van Morrison); New Wave; and reggae. On his latest release Solidago produced by Tim Bluhm (The Mother Hips), Velan fills the tracks with diverse sounds of his youth as well as those derived from his extensive worldwide travels, invoking island rhythms, analog synths, sax and finger-picked guitars. Velan’s catchy melodies, honey-soaked vocals, and interesting guitar hooks culminate in a subtlety layered sunny pop record. Solidago is lighthearted, toe-tapping and can’t help but make you smile.