Sonsoles

Sonsoles (pronounced sone-so-les) - derived from the Spanish words for a type of song (son) and the brilliance of the sun (sol) - is dominating the West Coast Latin music scene.

The band has shared the stage at Staples Center in Los Angeles with Latin superstars, Cafe Tacuba, Julieta Venegas, Beto Cuevas, Enanitos Verdes, Mikel Erentxun, Kinky, Hombres G and more! They've performed at Hispanicize 2013 at the New World Center Stage in Miami with Jessie & Joy, Domino Saints, Locos Por Juana, La Santa Cecilia and Hola Hi! Sonsoles' writes their own songs and their signature sound can be heard on their own music channel on Pandora Radio!

As a young, global ensemble of talented musicians from Spain, Mexico, and Los Angeles.  They fuse pop, dance, rock, reggaeton, salsa rhythms and melodies.

Sonsoles was founded in Los Angeles by Steve Baltazar (keyboards) and Cesar Abrego (bass).
Shortly thereafter, Spaniard Jóse Hernandez (guitar/vocals), a friend of the duo, also joined, adding his stunning guitar licks and became lead vocals after the departure of the band's former female singer. Lonnie Moreno (drums) was recruited via an internet ad and completed the current musical line-up.

In August 2012, Sonsoles won the grand finals of the "EL RETO DEL ROCK" contest presented by Spanish station, Super Estrella 107.1 FM, Los Angeles. There were 80 band submissions for the contest of which 12 made it to the semi-finals and 4 made it to the grand finals. Sonsoles couldn't have been happier to be chosen the El RETO DEL ROCK winner!

Sonsoles was the opening act for the event and ead singer and guitarist, Jose Hernandez was invited to perform on stage a second time with Mikel Erentxun and Leire from La Oreja de Van Gogh.

Sonsoles' music is featured in comedian Paul Rodriguez's one man show, "Just for the Record" and the documentary, "Luchadores Fighting for a Dream" airing on cable. Sonsoles has also performed at Dodger Stadium, Nascar, The LA County Fair, The Los Angeles Rock n Roll Marathon, the LA Pride Festival and Long Beach Gay Pride event, The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA), the Aquarium of the Pacific and the LA En Vivo Block Party at LA Live.

Sonsoles recently shared the bill with Spanish rock band, Jarabe de Palo at the Troubadour in Hollywood and packed the House of Blues on Sunset Boulevard.

The Sonsoles song, “Otra Vez” was a runner-up in the International Songwriting Competition of 2011. In December 2012, their song, “Mientras Te Vas” won first prize (Latin) in the 2012 USA Songwriting Competition.

Sonsoles is currently working on funding their first full album and released their first official music video, "Mientras Te Vas" this year.

Hernandez’s slick guitar prowess and Baltazar’s unique approach to keyboard chord progressions gives Sonsoles its unexpectedly edgy sound, calling to light influences ranging from Ozomatli, Los Amigos Invisibles and Juanes, to the more global sounds of Manu Chao, Silvio Rodriguez and Maná. Meanwhile. Abrego’s “rockero” approach to moving bass lines combined with Moreno’s hard rock drumming culminates in an amazing sound that moves hips and crosses borders.

Sonsoles’ infectiously appealing sound breaks conventional molds typically associated with Latin Rock and their music appeals to Spanish and non-Spanish speaking audiences. Their dedication to creating their special Sonsoles sound
is the spark that has helped the band garner a firestorm of genuine appreciation from their growing legion of fans.