Creative minds, savvy programmers, and an unwavering love for music, Good Kid transcends the realm of an average rock band. The ensemble of remarkable musicians shine as a beacon of creativity continuing to push artistic boundaries with introspective lyrics with heartwarming instrumentals. Through musician ingenuity, mastery of traditional rock elements, and insatiable hunger for pushing boundaries, Good Kid is garnering widespread acclaim from fans across the globe.

Hailing from Toronto Canada, the band first took flight through studying at the University of Toronto. The five-piece group consists of lead vocalist Nick Frosst, drummer Jon Kereliuk, bassist Michael Kozakov, and guitarists David Wood and Jacob Tsafatinos. Since their formation eight years ago, Good Kid has soared to exceptional heights, exceeding the conventionalism of artistry. 

Last month, the band released its long-awaited third EP, Good Kid 3, featuring six tracks sprinkled with each member’s unique touch. Climbing the charts from the EP is the infectious, upbeat, and charming single No Time To Explain. Since its release, the single has surged across TikTok, rising within viral trends. Hot on its heels is Mimi’s Delivery Service, a light-hearted track accumulating over 100,000 streams within 24 hours of its release. 

“We're used to releasing songs and having, you know, our core fans being very excited about them. And always our band consistently has been growing over eight years. But these new numbers are very… I can't really explain it,” said bassist Michael Kozakov, recalling the day when Mimi’s Delivery Service skyrocketed. 

“I think it's really amazing to see so many people excited about a song that you release. Because at the end of the day, you're just sitting in your apartment looking at a phone and to imagine 100,000 other people having heard this thing today, I don't know. Can you imagine 100,000 people in your head? I can't.”

Not only has Good Kid garnered substantial traction through their herd of listeners, but is now attracting eyes across the Youtube community. In a viral video from acclaimed Youtuber, Mr. Beast, Good Kid’s arsenal of hits stowed in the background. The band’s philosophy to spread joy through their music proves itself through their decision to be DCMA-free, allowing their content to be shared by the millions. 

Outside of the YouTube community, Good Kid takes pride in their far-reaching tight-knit fan base. Since the band’s origination, they cherished their core in-person community, where individuals would gather to share their love for music and fellowship. However, when the pandemic struck, confining listeners to their homes, band members swiftly generated a different approach- the launch of their Discord chat. Once powered and running, it quickly developed into a community, where band members and fans would chat, establish friendships, and host events. 

Teetering between fan-held and band-held, different individuals alternate crafting functions. One particular beloved gathering is Green Room, where members post song recommendations for Good Kid to review and hold a discussion session. Although the chat derived from the band’s discography, it now encases a vast music hub. 

“We really love our Discord community,” said Kozakov. “So we constantly think about like, what's something cool we could do for them?”

Blending their extensive love for their community and outside passions, Good Kid created Ghost Kid’s Revenge, an interactive video game for followers to connect with one of the band’s adjacent hobbies, gaming. Before its creation, producer and drummer Jon Kereliuk was creating 8-bit music pieces while guitarist Jacob Tsafatinos was programming video games. Combining their talents, along with the band’s other masterminds, the game was born. 

Cleverly, players must participate in an internet scavenger hunt across Good Kid’s social media, streaming platforms, and other bases in order to find clues to rescue the band’s staple internet mascot, Nomu Kid. The game presents itself as an original, ingenious, and artful complimentary to the already immense network.

“I think that's that's kind of the theme of our band. We all have a lot of passions outside of music, and we constantly try to encourage each other and figure out ways to incorporate them into the band operation as well,” said Kozakov reflecting on their growth. 

Now, the band geared up for a North American tour, zigzagging across the U.S. and Canada. On May 20th at Union Stage, the band will debut its newest EP in DC. However, if unable to attend their in-person whirlwind show, enthusiasts can tune into Discord and Twitch streams for sneak peeks of unreleased songs. Hunkering down in their songwriting element, Good Kid is mobilizing a wave of additional anthems.

(Article Cover Photo Credit: Evie Maynes)

To learn more about Good Kid, please see the following web resources:

• Webpage
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• TIDAL
• Spotify
• TikTok
• Bandsintown
• Soundcloud