Goodwood Road Debuts at El Mocambo in the Supernova Hysteria Fall 2011

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 30, 2011) - This Saturday, December 3, 2011, Goodwood Road performs at the El Mocambo after being selected to play in the Supernova Hysteria Fall 2011. (http://www.supernova.com/battle/HysteriaFall2011) Goodwood Road consists of six 14-to-16-year-old prodigy and self-taught musicians who have taken advantage of their isolated social lives and come together to hone their musical talent and express themselves in original music - a healthy alternative to the negative thinking and behaviours that plague many teenagers today.

Goodwood Road began over a year ago when six talented student-musicians with small social circles found each other in an effort to create great music and make new friends. At the time, none of them realized how much the band would influence them creatively, emotionally, and intellectually. "'Nerdiness' brought us together and it has ended up being our greatest strength," says Julianna Romanyk, keyboard player and singer. "The obscurity aspect of being a nerd causes us to be inspired by things like online reviews of musicians and space and time. Our hardworking academic orientation drives us to constantly question our music and to make more engaging lyrics."

This musical collaboration started in 2010 when Isaac Page and Jude Watson ("Watson") of the Rosedale School of the Arts were looking for an additional social outlet and wanted to start a band. Watson is an accomplished saxophone player and singer. Isaac plays the violin, ukulele, flute and guitar, and can apply each instrument across musical genres. Watson and Isaac then approached their classmate and drummer, Chancellor McGuigan, who jumped at the chance to join the band.

Chancellor McGuigan had previously discovered what music and the arts could mean for his life through his involvement in the DAREarts High School program (D2As). DAREarts empowers youth to find their voice and life skills, using the arts with Discipline, Action, Responsibility and Excellence. (www.darearts.com) "DAREarts and Goodwood Road changed my view of myself and the world," says McGuigan. "I feel that I owe it to myself and to other people to give everything my absolute best effort, especially my music. People are counting on me."

After Chancellor joined, Goodwood Road recruited their base player, Jean-Marc McCauley - a soft-spoken Francophone from Chancellor's bowling league who was breaking ties with the challenging relationship with his father and finding freedom in music. Soon after, the group realized their sound would be even better if they had a keyboardist. Enter Julianna Romanyk -- another 14-year-old Rosedale student and pianist/keyboard player. Julianna has one finger on her left hand and three on her right and after only four years of playing, can play anything from classical to pop, while belting out a tune with her Regina Spektor-inspired voice. The last addition to Goodwood Road was self-taught rhythm guitarist, Jack Nerona, who joined after being "fired" from another band for a lack of cool equipment. Goodwood Road was incredibly impressed when Jack learned to play their entire repertoire within the span of two weeks.

Today, Goodwood Road's eclectic sound spans from pop to grunge to rock to southern rock, with musical influences from Roy Orbison to Metallica. When asked if the band has interfered with their school work, they laugh. It's not tolerated at the Rosedale School for the Arts, and the band members also feel a huge responsibility towards one another in this regard.

Music has opened up a whole new world for these young people which includes friendship and a drive to become one of Canada's most extraordinary bands, while being their best selves in every other area of their lives. Seeing the talent, determination and teamwork of these young people, it's likely not that far-fetched.