Opus Road
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Opus Road

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"Opus Road is on the Path to Success"

The Brock Press: Opus Road is on the Path to Success

Article by Marc MacDonald

Issue date: 12/2/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment

A question often posed to bands and their members usually revolves around where and how they got started; for Opus Road it started right here at Brock University.

Back in 2002, a pair (Jeff Mahoney and J.P. Nadeau) of the now five-piece band met in residence and began playing for friends before nights out on the town, in coffee houses and various talent shows.

Before long, Opus Road increased their shows, their exposure, their size (adding singer Rob Brown) and eventually, their ability to help pay their way through school.

"We got in the routine of paying our way though university by performing as many as five nights a week in St. Catharines' bars and pubs including London Arms, Isaac's, Rockfords, etc.," said Mahoney. "It wasn't a usual path to take for a college student, but the three of us understood that we were lucky to be in the position we were in […] which essentially involved getting paid to play our songs to our friends."

But, as is the case with most bands, Opus Road went through a plethora of changes, in name and personnel.

With Mahoney and Nadeau starting as The Aviators, Brown and Amy Cunningham joined the duo and opted to run with the name, The Happy Hour.

After parting with Cunningham, the trio continued to perform and their current band name spawned from a recording session in Mahoney's basement apartment.

"On the eve of recording our first Demo CD, called Cellar Door Sessions from my basement apartment, we improvised a song and ended up calling it 'OPUS' on a temporary basis," said Mahoney. "That song ran its course to eventually be called 'Understand', and we enjoyed 'OPUS' so much we added a road and kept it as our name - to us it means honest and true rock music."

Mahoney, Nadeau and Brown picked up their gig and headed to Toronto, in search of taking that elusive next step in making music their entire lives. In doing so, they knew that if their sound was to expand, so too, would the number of musicians in the group.

"Upon making our way to Toronto, the three of us understood that we wanted to do more than play acoustic covers," said Mahoney. "So we searched high and low for the most talented musicians we could find. Enter Ryan English on drums, and Jay Cianfrini on the bass guitar."

As Opus Roads continues to evolve, their hard work and efforts have been rewarded in the form of their first EP, set to be released Dec. 13.

"The success of [moving to Toronto] led us to recording our first professional EP debut release with an up and coming producer, Erik Paul [drummer of the band Thornley]," said Mahoney. "An enormous amount of effort and time has been given, but the CD sounds fucking awesome, we're real happy with it."

If you haven't heard Opus Road, you're missing out, as Mahoney describes their sound as, "a type of rock band combines catchy rock riffs with strong vocals".

Ultimately tough, Opus Road wants more than just one EP.

"Our goal is to make as much music as possible," said Mahoney. "Honestly, making this EP was such an amazing experience, the outcome only urges us to write more and blend more of our ideas together.

"I can see Opus Road taking that next step toward a larger Canadian or International tour, and hopefully making more records for people to rock out to."

Opus Road's CD Release Party is on Dec. 13 at The Hideout in Toronto.
- The Brock Press


"905 Invades the 416 @ NXNE"

Pulse Magazine: 905 Invades the 416 @ NXNE

Issue date: 6/2/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Ask any independent band what their primary concerns are in the early stages of their career and they’ll all tell you the same thing: they’re perpetually trying to remain on stages as much as possible, they want to get their name out anywhere they’re able, and they want to make business contacts to facilitate the possibility of making a career of their band. Those same musicians will also tell you that it’s incredibly hard to make any or all of those strides and it’s true; if you’re not a household name and tend to play the same bars on a weekly basis, you run the risk of being taken for granted because fans assume that you’re always going to be there so missing one show isn’t a big deal.
If the primary objective for a given band isn’t simply to get out and have fun and have a few laughs – if they want to make music their life’s work – they need a leg up or a helping hand. For the uninitiated, it’s difficult to know where to begin but, happily, there are ways to find out. Each year at the dawn of summer, the North By Northeast Music Conference and Festival descends upon the city of Toronto and, for the four days, there are few bars that aren’t overtaken by multi–band showcases and, at this point, the shows feature a global scope of talent. Bands from Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, the U.S. and more have flocked to the conference this year in an attempt to establish a foothold in the Canadian music market place and, with the increased number of venues participating, more domestic bands have found their way into venues as well. Not all of the domestic bands are so far flung either; this year a select few from the Niagara Region are making the trek up to make their voices heard.
Making contacts in the business, trying to win new fans and trying to establish their names on the tour circuit are the driving forces for many of the bands that will be attending the conference this year, and, for some, the strides they’ve taken and the inroads they’ve made into the Toronto scene have been their greatest asset. Such is the case with Opus Road, according to the band’s singer and guitarist Jeff Mahoney. When the conference put the question of who they should invite to play, those rooms at which they’ve appeared before all said Opus Road. “We’ve got a pretty good record with a lot of the owners of the bars we’ve played at and I guess when they were asked by the conference, they recommended us,” beams the singer. “I think we got lucky because we’ve applied before and gone through the whole process, but it never came through. We got recommended though, and here we are. We can’t wait – it’s going to be awesome.

“We’re trying to make contacts but each member of our band has different strengths and different business roles sort of worked themselves nicely into that,” continues the singer. “I do a lot of publicity and people–meeting stuff. Last week they sent us an email to RSVP and gave us the option of getting paid for the show or we could get a festival pass and get into some of the interviews of more experienced artists or people in the industry so we took the conference pass because it’s an opportunity that only comes once a year. We’re really looking forward to seeing what North By Northeast has to offer; I’m not sure what it’ll be, but we’ll be there to find out.”
In the cases of some bands, the members have already visited the conference – just not together with in the band they’re currently playing with. Such is the circumstance with drummer Patrick Sirianni. Sirianni first appeared at North By Northeast with his former band, Policies And Procedures, three years ago and got a taste of what the proceedings could hold. Now an old hand at the rigmarole, the drummer is still excited at the prospect of going back with Casey Baker and the Buffalo Sinners. With such a decorated history, the obvious question could be, why do the conference now? The band’s name and those of its members have already been made, why go back and run the risk of being lost in the shuffle of hundreds of bands? Sirianni isn’t worried in the slightest at that prospect. He sees the value of returning to the conference very clearly and recognizes that resting on laurels isn‘t an option; there‘s always more work that could be done. “I think we just need to keep as much momentum as possible going,” explains the drummer of the impetus for Casey Baker and the Buffalo Sinners to return to North By Northeast. “We’ve already got one release on Dine Alone, but it’s only a four–song EP and we’re about to head back into the studio to record a full–length. We ’re about to start, but we wanted to get out a bit and make sure that we stay on people’s minds.
- Pulse Magazine


"Opus Road Band Review"

Indie InTune Magazine: Opus Road Band Review

Article by Melody Geear

Issue date: April 2008 Section: Music

From acoustic guitars and live recordings to beat boxing, Opus Road is a Canadian band that brings the term “acoustic” to a whole other level. They focus their efforts on the strength that can come from being truly acoustic. Each song has been stripped down to the bare essentials, allowing the beauty of structure, rhythm and vocals to be displayed to their full potential. So much of the current music scene is overdubbed, generic porridge that sounds better post-studio rather than any live performance. Opus Road rejects the need for complete perfection — it’s the subtle nuances of live acoustic performances that makes their music fresh and leaves their audience wanting more.

Like many acoustic performers before them, Opus Road relies on lyric and vocal strengths. However, their rhythm section adds the perfect structural support and makes each song unique in their own way. “The Solution” is a track that is reminiscent of Jack Johnson’s musical signature. Jeff Mahoney and Rob Brown on guitars add a light and airy feel to the track. They blend perfectly with the melody and play off the vocals like a sweet spring breeze off tall blades of grass. “Talk to Oz” uses haunting lyrics and emotive vocals about loss as the key to this piece. The vocal harmonies add to the beauty of the track while the lyrics sweep in into the audience’s ears to create an effective .

One of the most unique tracks on the Cellar Door Sessions album is “Understand”. When one thinks of beat boxing, it’s usually accompanied by synths and pop vocals — however, in this case it lays a foundation for contemporary rock vocals and soft guitars. It’s a harmonizing sound that fits perfectly with the direction of the track and still allows the genuine quality of the song to ring true. This creative idea adds to the complexity that is Opus Road.

Unlike many rock bands on the mainstream variety, Opus Road stays true to their soul. Their smooth and rhythmic quality shows the best of what Canada has to offer. This band won’t have a hard time breaking through to U.S. radio, as long as they continue to listen to their hearts and give their audience the best of what they have to offer.
- Indie InTune Magazine


"TORO Magazine, Toronto (August 2009)"

"St. Catharine’s-bred, Toronto-based alternative rock band Opus Road is about to take off. They know this; their album cover is a sketch of a jet pilot. In 2009, traditional rock music has been given over to either sweaty, misogynistic louts (hint: they win big at the Junos) or detached, collegiate types. Opus recalls a time when rock, particularly in Canada, didn’t have to be stupid to get heard, but could reach a broad audience anyway. The Tragically Hip and Matthew Good come to mind, both clear influences...It’s a real pleasure to see artists on the verge of a breakthrough, and Opus Road definitely fits that description."

- Jesse Skinner, Music Editor, TORO Magazine
- TORO Magazine


"Breakfast Television, Toronto (October 2009)"

“I've worked booking bands for CITY TV & Breakfast TV for the last 12 years and spent another 12 before that working at Q107, 99.9 and CFRB. It would be impossible to remember all of the bands I've worked with; I choose just to remember the really bad ones & the really good ones. OPUS ROAD falls into the latter group. They have a tight, professional and original sound. We received a lot positive feedback when they played our show. I'm looking forward to hearing what they do in the future, and they are welcome back to our show anytime.”

- Brad Matson, Segment/Music Producer, City TV/Breakfast Television Toronto
- Breakfast Television


"Opus Road on 'Rock Talk' CFRB 1010 (November 2009)"

"Energetic, edgy, rootsy...Opus Road is rough 'n' ready with strong songwriting and musicianship to match."

- Blair Packham, Host ‘Rock Talk’ CFRB Toronto - CFRB 1010


"Opus Road, Clifton David and others to play first ever Queen West Musicfest"

Tuesday, 11 August 2009

Opus Road, Clifton David and others to play first ever Queen West Musicfest
Updated: Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Toronto-based rockers Opus Road and others will be playing the 1st ever Queen West Musicfest August 23rd at Trinity Bellwoods Park. The event will be to help support local independent artists, while also raising money for the Toronto East General Hospital Foundation.

The event is completely free; all revenue is generated through sponsorships from Sportsnet, Molson Canadian, Hero Burger, and TD Canada Trust to name a few. The lineup for the event includes: Clifton David (opener), Leh-Lo Hill and The Sky Heroes, Opus Road, Chris Caddell and The Wreckage, and Grady.

"We're excited to be playing this event," says guitarist Jeff Mahoney, whose alt/hard rock band Opus Road paid college tuition by doing acoustic gigs. "The Queen West area is such a thriving organism of musicians, artists, writers and all-round creative types and it's great that people are coming together to support that community."

After graduating, the band went electric and won over Ontario audiences with their raw, melodic sound and killer live performances. Opus Road has performed for thousands of fans at shows and festivals all over the country including CMW, NXNE, The Ricoh Coliseum, and The Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup Party in 2008. The band recently finished remixing/mastering their self-titled debut EP and will be embarking on an East Coast tour in September.

For more information on the event please visit: http://www.queenwestmusicfest.com

Queen West Musicfest
Sunday August 23, 2009
Trinity Bellwoods Park
1pm - Free



http://www.ontarioscene.com/articles/opus_road_clifton_david_and_others_to_play_first_ever_queen_west_musicfest.html - Ontario Music Scene (Toronto-based music blog)


Discography

Opus Road's self-titled debut EP, officially released in December 2009 -- includes 5 KILLER original tracks:

1. Motel Freedom
2. How it Goes
3. 50 Feet High
4. Reelin'
5. One to Spare

Photos

Bio

It takes dedication and hard work to reach the kind of success that Opus Road has been able to attain in such a short time span. From their college start to the recent release of their self-titled debut EP, these gritty rockers have quickly become a dominant force in both Toronto's and Southern Ontario's music scene.

The Opus Road EP -- released in September 2009 and produced by Eric Paul, drummer of Canadian rock giants Thornley and Big Sugar -- is a 5 track testament to where you can get with hard work, a little luck and a lot of raw talent. It was the band's heavy schedule of shows in Toronto and Southern Ontario that helped catch Paul's attention. A friendship was soon forged and the result is an undeniably great offering from one of Canada's most promising new rock bands.

Since then, the band has rocked some of Canada's best venues and festivals, including The Ricoh Coliseum, The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern, Niagara's Grape & Wine Festival, North By Northeast and Canadian Music Week, and shared the stage with Grady at the first ever Queen West Musicfest in Toronto. Opus Road has also caught the attention of many professional athletes who have asked the band to perform at private parties for sports teams such as the Toronto Marlies and the Detroit Red Wings. They are currently working on a full length follow-up to their 2009 EP which will be seeing a winter 2011 release.

Opus Road started as a modest three-piece acoustic act playing around their hometown of St. Catharines, Ontario while Rob, Jeff and J.P. were still in school. They quickly realized they were destined for something much bigger than playing around town to pay their way through college, so the boys packed their bags and headed to the big city. Shortly after moving to Toronto they met drummer Ryan and veteran bassist Jay (Rise Electric/Lukas Rossi, Jaw) and the band solidified into its final form: Rob Brown (vocals), Jeff Mahoney (rhythm guitar/backing vocals), J.P. Nadeau (lead guitar), Ryan English (drums), & Jay Cianfrini (bass).

In the short time they have been together, Opus Road has managed to achieve what few local bands are able to: they have earned a steady following through their consistently flawless live show and have caught the attention of some of Canada's major music industry players. With their honest blend of solid, spirited rock n’ roll, die-hard work ethic, and ability to effortlessly ignite a large crowd, Opus Road is proving they are a band poised to make some serious waves in the industry.