Who we are
Sonic Light Brigade is a folk-rock band that focuses on great melody, catchy rhythms, and sound craftsmanship. Its configuration can vary according to the occasion and availability of some members, but at its core are Lou Marzeles and Leslie Geatches. While known for its prize-winning originals, the group also plays a crowd-pleasing mix of well-known songs, and they are skilled at programming concerts for specific occasions. As live performers, their aim is to be engaging, moving, and at the same time a lot of fun.
In its choice of material, the band specializes in what they call memorable music. “There's a reason people remember certain music,” says band member Lou Marzeles. “There are qualities in some songs that make them stick fondly in the mind. We focus on those qualities. During our sets you could hear well-known tunes from a wide range of eras alongside originals that sound like they could have easily come from those same times. We play them because great melody and catchy rhythms are the foundational qualities that shape all lasting trends and patterns for popular music.” The band covers a lot of decades of music, though it certainly isn't about "oldies," especially given that half the band is in their 20s and love the music they play. “It’s about melody, harmony, rhythm, fun—by all means fun—the sound and spirit of being in a great groove together.” And when the band performs, they include their audience in that groove. Topping off the familiar sounds are the band's originals that have won awards and a recording contract.
Heading the group is Marzeles, a lifelong musician and songwriter. As a multiprize-winning professional, Lou sings and plays guitar, mandolin, keyboards, and programs the group’s orchestral instrumentation on live-performance software. His presentation “Purposeful Use of Music” is a major draw at numerous conferences, conventions, and concert venues. While a high-visibility music journalist, Lou’s music coverage earned national attention, including that of the White House, where he was invited as a personal guest of the President. He began playing music at age eight, and by high school he had composed and performed a piano concerto. In college he became a familiar face on the folk-rock music circuit. Over the years, Lou won numerous top awards in national and regional music competitions and Best Song and Best Performer awards in the nationally prominent Northern California Songwriters Association. During his New York City career stage, Lou helped launch a folk-rock band which landed a recording contract with famed producer Tony Valor and a notice in Billboard magazine. He has also recorded and/or performed with some of the best known names in folk rock music.
Leslie Geatches is a relative newcomer to professional music and is making a significant impact on the music and development of Sonic Light Brigade. (She came up with the name; as she tells the story, "I was playing with two phrases, 'sonic light' and 'light brigade.' Then I thought of putting them together, like in 'Jeopardy.' I liked the combination, a group that deals in sonic light and brigade as in a group of people. And I thought it made us sound smart." She smiles when she says that...) Leslie plays guitar and sings.
Other musicians have played with the combination of Lou and Leslie and join the group at various times. You can pretty much count on drummer/percussionist Aaron Israel being in the mix, and Lou calls him one of the best percussionists working anywhere. Young keyboardist Meagen Moody generously offers her talents to the group on occasion, taking time from her own well-received musical career with her husband Chad. The two perform around the Western states with their own blend of singer/songwriter music and have just released their second CD, “A Beautiful Moment.”
Other musicians who been involved in various incarnations of the ensemble include Mike DeMello (pedal steel guitar), Glenda Blackwell-Baxter (guitar/vocals), Timothy Hanna (bass), Ron Falter (drums), and Butch Mesecher (bass).
In its choice of material, the band specializes in what they call memorable music. “There's a reason people remember certain music,” says band member Lou Marzeles. “There are qualities in some songs that make them stick fondly in the mind. We focus on those qualities. During our sets you could hear well-known tunes from a wide range of eras alongside originals that sound like they could have easily come from those same times. We play them because great melody and catchy rhythms are the foundational qualities that shape all lasting trends and patterns for popular music.” The band covers a lot of decades of music, though it certainly isn't about "oldies," especially given that half the band is in their 20s and love the music they play. “It’s about melody, harmony, rhythm, fun—by all means fun—the sound and spirit of being in a great groove together.” And when the band performs, they include their audience in that groove. Topping off the familiar sounds are the band's originals that have won awards and a recording contract.
Heading the group is Marzeles, a lifelong musician and songwriter. As a multiprize-winning professional, Lou sings and plays guitar, mandolin, keyboards, and programs the group’s orchestral instrumentation on live-performance software. His presentation “Purposeful Use of Music” is a major draw at numerous conferences, conventions, and concert venues. While a high-visibility music journalist, Lou’s music coverage earned national attention, including that of the White House, where he was invited as a personal guest of the President. He began playing music at age eight, and by high school he had composed and performed a piano concerto. In college he became a familiar face on the folk-rock music circuit. Over the years, Lou won numerous top awards in national and regional music competitions and Best Song and Best Performer awards in the nationally prominent Northern California Songwriters Association. During his New York City career stage, Lou helped launch a folk-rock band which landed a recording contract with famed producer Tony Valor and a notice in Billboard magazine. He has also recorded and/or performed with some of the best known names in folk rock music.
Leslie Geatches is a relative newcomer to professional music and is making a significant impact on the music and development of Sonic Light Brigade. (She came up with the name; as she tells the story, "I was playing with two phrases, 'sonic light' and 'light brigade.' Then I thought of putting them together, like in 'Jeopardy.' I liked the combination, a group that deals in sonic light and brigade as in a group of people. And I thought it made us sound smart." She smiles when she says that...) Leslie plays guitar and sings.
Other musicians have played with the combination of Lou and Leslie and join the group at various times. You can pretty much count on drummer/percussionist Aaron Israel being in the mix, and Lou calls him one of the best percussionists working anywhere. Young keyboardist Meagen Moody generously offers her talents to the group on occasion, taking time from her own well-received musical career with her husband Chad. The two perform around the Western states with their own blend of singer/songwriter music and have just released their second CD, “A Beautiful Moment.”
Other musicians who been involved in various incarnations of the ensemble include Mike DeMello (pedal steel guitar), Glenda Blackwell-Baxter (guitar/vocals), Timothy Hanna (bass), Ron Falter (drums), and Butch Mesecher (bass).
