Marc L’Esperance

Marc L’Esperance is a Vancouver multi-instrumentalist, producer, engineer and photographer. 

With a career spanning 30+ years in the Vancouver original music scene his list of production and performing credits is extensive, crossing numerous genres and includes award-winning and nominated releases from some of the best independent artists to come from the city. A small sampling of artists with whom he’s collaborated in the studio includes Jesse Waldman, Alpha Yaya Diallo, Orchid Ensemble, The Lonesome Town Painters, Linda McRae, Nomeansno, Ray Condo & The Ricochets, The Twisters, Brandon Isaak, The Hanson Brothers, Scott McLeod (Big Top), The Deadcats, Stephen Nikleva, Paul Pigat, Robert Sarazin Blake, Ronnie Hayward, Alison Russell (in Po’ Girl) and Ani Kyd Wolf.

From his start writing original music playing punk rock guitar in Victoria in the mid-80s, he has since acquired skills on the tenor saxophone, electric bass, drum kit, vocals and harmonica. Prior to that he enjoyed a few years of music training on the violin learning to read music in grades 5 to 10 of the public school system.


He continues to operate Heavyosonic World Headquarters, the recording studio he founded in 2001 and to perform live with Jesse Waldman and the Stephen Nikleva Band. He is also known for his superlative live sound mixing and can be seen behind the mixer at many special presentations and music festivals. His photography has been licensed through Getty Images, and has been used for book covers, websites and album art. A new 14 song album written with vocalist and filmmaker Ani Kyd Wolf will be released March 21st on Alternative Tentacles Records.

Artists and groups that Marc has performed live or toured with include:

WeDon’tDoMuch (guitar, writing)
5 on a Date (guitar, writing)
Coal (drums)
Ani Kyd & The Band of Champions (guitar and writing)
Featherweight (bass)
The Highballs (tenor saxophone)
Pleasure Suit (drums, harmony vocals)
Rodney Decroo & The Killers (drums)
Headwater (drums)
Ghettoblaster (drums, harmony vocals)
Conrad (drums)
Linda McRae (drums, harmony vocals, fiddle)
Monica Lee Band (drums, harmony vocals)
Sudanda (drums, horn arrangements)
Petunia & The Vipers (drums, harmony vocals)
Lache Cercel & The Roma Swing Ensemble (drums)
Big Top (guitar)
The Neon Stars (drums, vocals)
Robert Sarazin Blake (guitar)
The Jesse Waldman Band (drums, harmonica, harmony vocals)
Stephen Nikleva Band (drums)