DJ Boy recording artist Alfonso Velez is a singer-songwriter and arranger whose acoustic guitar/piano rock mix draws inspiration from country blues, retro R&B and American and European folk music. He has released his second full-length CD, THE WEATHER, and performed songs from it on "Soundcheck," syndicated on National Public Radio. Kevin Oliver of No Depression online music magazine calls it "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."

Former frontman of the D.C. band, Monopoli, Velez recently transitioned his base of operations to New York City. THE WEATHER was recorded live in three days at The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn with drummer Jerry Busher (Fugazi, John Frusciante) and keyboardist Will Rast (Prince, Ramp, Maya). The album was mixed by Tom Schick (Rufus Wainright, Norah Jones and Ryan Adams) and mastered by Gavin Lurssen.

Velez is touring in the U.S. and internationally to support the album, including engagements in Ireland with Guggenheim Grotto. This suits the "travel bug" in him acquired in childhood, following his parents' professional careers. As Oliver states, "Velez has lived on three continents, giving him a wider worldview that makes his gift for lyrical linguistics all the more powerful." It also broadened his musical influences; he studied classical guitar in Russia at age 7. But from the time Velez heard his father play Scott Joplin rags on the piano, American music has been his first love. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.