Lydia Mendoza, Ayn Rand, Type B Personalities, Gene Hackman, Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music, Hard Hitting Songs for Hard Hit People, Jon Combs, Christopher Redding, Paul Simon, Chet Baker, The Devil's Dictionary, Ray Charles, The Bible, Neruda, The Conversation, Marathon Man, Kubrick, Bulgakov, Robert Johnson, Ramblin' Jack, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Taj Mahal, Nina Simone, Josh White, Cat Power, The New York Times, Alina Velez, Graciela Iturbide, Oscar Wilde, Kurt Vonnegut, & Alexander Pope
Robert Fulton – OnTap Magazine
"Former local troubadour - now NYC-based, but we won’t hold that against him - Alfonso Velez has done it again with another fine album. On jazzy/bluesy rockabilly effort "The Weather," he once again hits all the right notes . Highlights include anthem-like "Hell Yeah," the danceable "The Need to Know," and the rocking "Stone Kickin’." He shows his sweet side on "NY, NY" and "Slow Healer." Not a bad note on these 12 tracks. Note: "The Weather" was recorded live in three days in November in Brooklyn."
Kevin Oliver - No Depression
"Velez has lived on three continents, giving him a wider worldview that makes his gift for lyrical linguistics all the more powerful . . . the kind of countrified rock that's neither rock nor country, but somewhere in that sweet spot between the two--like a sunny day in the midst of the rainy season, The Weather is fine--come out and play."
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While couch surfing with friends near the Greenwood Cemetary in Park Slope Brooklyn, Alfonso Velez received a phone call from a Middle Eastern dancer offering up a cheap apartment in a dance studio in the Flatiron District. He has played his songs, in that hall's echoe, every night since.
Born to a Cuban architect and a Mexican actuary, he lived in three continents before the age of 21, including Buenos Aires, Argentina; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Moscow, Russia; Mexico City, Mexico; and Washington, D.C.
Upon arriving in New York he fell into a temp job working the Metro and Obituaries sections at a newspaper. He's since toured overseas and hit the New York scene relentlessly, always with new material.
There's a definite sense of motion present in his songs:
I am bound for the horizon, by the morning I’ll be gone
I’m only a reflection, so notify my kin,
Tell’em tonight I’m playing to win,
—From Playing to Win on The Weather
Velez recorded his last record The Weather (DJ Boy April 2009) live in three days at The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn, NY with drummer Jerry Busher (Fugazi, John Frusciante), keyboard wunderkind Will Rast (Ramp, Maya and Prince) and work-horse scene bassist Jeff Ratner (Paper & Sand). The Weather was mixed by Tom Schick (Rufus Wainright, Norah Jones and Ryan Adams) and mastered by Gavin Lurssen.
Alfonso Velez will be releasing another full-length record in September 2009.
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You were awesome at Blues Alley! I still miss Monopoli, but you are fantastic doing this stuff. My boyfriend and I had a super romantic date and your music surely adds to the BA ambiance.
Hey, could you pick up some milk & eggs? Maybe Bourdain will be there, Arlene's being one of his mainstays. You could tell him you know his Ma or Gran or whoever it is you said.
On the other hand, that might be uncool. Like something I'd do.
Hey You! We were expecting you at St. Dymphna's last night! You definitely need to come hang out with me and Freddie some time! Keep in touch.. your songs are wonderful!
thanks so much! i cant wait to finally start playing shows every weekend this summer and getting better. we already have 8 songs written and 5 of them down tight. hopefully sometime we can play a show together. i look forward to seeing you alfonso, it has been to long. best wishes, james
Alfonso! Likewise my friend...I'm coming to the city next weekend, I'll give you a call when I'm around. Yea Paul is cold blooded. Wonderful new songs!
Hi there, sorry we missed you tonight but will be seeing you in Crooklyn :) Scott has some great pics of you from Rockwood & he still wants to trade moto lessons for guitar lessons :) Give me a holla' if you're around... if not see ya April fools day! Oh yeah your page looks great.
