The System Lights is a guitar-oriented mixture of timeless, atmospheric British and American influenced music. Lyrics are taken from shelves of classic and obscure literature as well as this thing called reality. Moody vocals and blistering, effects laden - as well as bare bones - guitar, are part of this concoction that walks the line between college, indie and commercial radio rock and roll.
The System Lights' debut EP "Bright Water and Backroad Trips" was released in early 2014. Recorded at internationally acclaimed Flowers Studio, home of The Replacements and other well known acts, the band had top artists put their signature talent on the record. Through shared links, word of mouth and regular on air rotation by US internet radio stations such as Gashouse Radio, The Great Unknown and I Love Indie, as well as Ecuador's El Vagon Alternativo, the band has gained over 32,000 social media followers.
David Rangel (lead vocalist/writer) is an American singer/songwriter brings a love for timeless, British rock into his songs. His has a penchant for less is more and it shows in his writing, which contain very few instrumental solos. You'll hear soaring, passionate vocals (U2, Oasis, The Verve) and use of falsetto (Radiohead, Jeff Buckley). David's history with proper, touring bands include years in Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Milwaukee opening for many well known international acts. Lyrically, he likes to get people to think by incorporating pop culture and the human condition.
David has been a poet, journalist and lyric writer for 25 years, with the last 17 years as a professional singer. Along with the Manager, Wendy Sobczyk, David is one of two constants of the group and the soul songwriter of The System Lights. David works with a group of studio musicians whenever he records in Minneapolis and another group of local musicians in live and touring situations.
In David's former successful band - Mersey Side - they placed at number five for radio add ons on the CMJ charts (College Music Journal) which at the time were above bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Belle & Sebastian and others.
Fact: He is a sucker for 70s bubble gum pop songs.
Professional Performance Experience
2001-2003 Recorded with notable producer/singer/songerwriter Minneapolis Mike Wisti, of Minneapolis band The Rank Strangers; 2001-2004 - Opened up for a number of international acts including Counting Crows, Train, Goo-Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind and others; 2002-2004 Sang with world renowned guitarist Troy Stetina, known for writing guitar methods which are followed globally; 2002-2004 Loosely guided by Mark Tremonti of the band Alterbridge (formerly of Creed) and his Manager, Jeff Hansen, with the intent to get signed to Creed's and Alterbridge's label - Wind Up Records; 2013 - 2015 Recorded at nationally known Flowers Studio, working close with Ed Ackerson (Polara, BNLX) and Peter Anderson (Polara, The Ocean Blue) both nationally signed acts, formerly with Warner Bros and Interscope.
