Good Girl: Bringing That “Realness” Back!

Please introduce for me the members of GOOD GIRL…

Good Girl is made up of…Megan — the edgy one (Philly)…Arielle — the chill one (Philly)…Bobbie — the sassy one (MD)…(and) JL — the sporty one (Jersey)…

Hi, We are GOOD GIRL: It’s ya girl, Arielle…Hey, it’s Bobbie…I’m Megan… And, they call me JL!

Initially, how did you all even come together to form the group?

Well, last year we were asked by our current manager, Dyshon Penn, to be a part of a ’90’s throwback show in Philly. He needed 4 girls to perform the hits from groups like TLC, SWV and En Vogue. We all grew up on the ’90’s, so we thought it would be fun and agreed to do it. We only had like a week to put our set together, and we were living in different states so we had to travel hours to get to each other for rehearsals…But it was something we did gladly because we all had known each other prior to the show: Bobbie and JL went to college at The University of Maryland, (in) College Park, together, where they met at the school’s dance team audition and had been inseparable ever since. During their college career, JL was asked to be a part of a “girl group” that Arielle was also a part of, and after some time passed Bobbie was asked to join that same group. Timing just didn’t seem right, and the group’s progress slowed down. At this time, Bobbie and JL were brought on to be back-up dancers for Megan on her solo project showcase. Dyshon Penn had been friends with Megan for years, he had been following Arielle’s musical journey, he had recently met JL through her choreography for another group that Dyshon worked with called MPrynt, and through JL he met Bobbie. Dyshon felt that this ’90’s themed showcase held at Underground Arts in Philly would be a great way to get each of us some exposure as artists. There was a lot of excitement brewing around our performance, and when we finally hit the stage together that night the response was overwhelming. Everyone LOVED us and thought that we should stick together and become a group. We believe their words were, “Y’all are trippin,’ y’all need to be a group asap!” So, we gave ourselves about a month or so to think about it, and we ultimately decided it would be a great idea. The rest is history…

Where does the group’s moniker originally derive from?

Well, we didn’t have like an ‘Aha’ moment or find our name in the bible or anything cool like that. We just needed to find a name that represented us and who we were. Ironically, right before we went on stage at the ’90’s show in Philly where we did our first performance together, Dyshon Penn announced us as “Good Girl” and we did not even know that it was us. We went on stage, and from there the name became us. It doesn’t mean “good girl” in the sense of being a goody two shoes; We define a “Good Girl,” as a real, ride or die type of chick, who is independent, down-to-earth, intelligent and sexy. She loves hard, fights for what she believes in and knows how to have fun. She is wife material and everyone wants a good girl. It’s who we are always striving to be. We represent the many different sides of a “Good Girl,” so it was a perfect fit!

How then would you all describe and/or define that style of music that you all create and perform?

We have the privilege of working with a production company called Walk the Sky, which is composed of Matrax Productions, Phatboiz and Dyshon Penn, who all collectively understand who GOOD GIRL are and how that essence can be expressed through our music. We are a R&B group, inspired by the ’90’s music, period, where the songs were powerful and made you feel something. They were about love and passion and heartbreak, and everything that we as human beings go through. The music was real, relatable and had a groove that will continue to make its mark on music as time moves on because it was that influential. We include that aspect, as well as the urban, fun, cool, Hip-Hop swag that today’s R&B has…And there you have our style! We’re bringing real music back. It’s sexy, it’s empowering, it’s classy and it’s refreshing. We want to make music that everyone can relate to, especially our strong young women who are in this stage of rising above adolescence and entering womanhood. We embrace sexuality, but never want to be overly sexual. We are four young black women who have a lot to say, and our music and performances express that in more ways than one.

Individually, what do each of you bring, both personally and professionally, to the “proverbial” creative table, when it comes to the overall sound/vibe of GOOD GIRL?

Arielle is the dreamer of the group, the chill one, the lover, the sweetheart. She has earned the name “ears McGee,” because she keeps us on point musically. We look to her to keep our notes tight and our harmonies clean. Vocally, she brings soul and angst to our music, and ain’t ever afraid to take it to “church” on ’em! She has a very distinct voice and you will find her singing the most heartfelt and sentimental songs.

…Bobbie is the spicy one of the group. She is not afraid to speak her mind and embrace her sexuality and be sensual. She is very focused and down-to-earth like your “girl next door” would be, and the group relies on her ability to be aware, observant and well-informed. Vocally, Bobbie has the high and clear voice, so she brings the youthfulness and the sassy-ness in her tone into what she sings. She also does the group’s choreography and staging, along with JL.

…Megan is the edgy and passionate one of the group, with some sexy aggression sprinkled in there. She is a loyal ride or die type of chick and she definitely takes charge when it comes to the well-being of GOOD GIRL. The group relies on Megan’s ability to be two-steps-ahead at all times and set the overall tone for the group across the board. Vocally, you can hear the passion and strength in Megan’s voice on everything she sings.

…JL is the ball of energy and the jokester of the group. She is the fun, fierce tomboy who loves to laugh and have fun. With her big personality, she makes sure that people never leave a room without knowing who Good Girl is and where to find us. Vocally, she is the lowest alto voice of the group, (so) she brings the bass and the bottom, along with a very silky smooth tone that just feels good no matter what she is singing. She also brings positive energy and swag to make sure we always “turnin’ up” and having a good time. She also does the choreography and staging, along with Bobbie.

August 2014 you all dropped your debut entry 90’s Kinda Love — Although pretty self-explanatory, still tell me what prompted you all to title the mix-tape this?

August 8th 2014 we released our EP called 90’s Kinda Love, and we went with this title because it’s what we are most inspired by the most. It also plays off of the name of the ’90’s throwback show that initially brought us all together. With this project, we wanted to give people a chance to remember the timeless music that artists used to make and give them a taste of what they can expect from us. On this project, we talk about the ins and outs of love and we do it in a very genuine and relatable way. The ’90’s did that and we wanted to bring that back.

Can you also tell me about this particular project in greater detail? And, how it actually even came to fruition?

We’ve been in the studio recording since January developing our sound, and we were experimenting with a lot of songs/samples from the ’90’s. We had so many great ones that had been created and recorded, and we wanted to find something to give to the people to provide them with a tangible piece of us. We had been performing and recording for a while and felt it was time to show everyone what we had been working on. There was one record in particular that was written by one of our songwriters, Shameka Marie, called “Need It” — that was so dope — it sampled Craig Mack’s “Flava in Ya Ear.” Once we recorded it, it became everyone’s favorite song. We released it as a single and thought, “Hey, why don’t we just put out an entire project with songs like this?!” We wanted to allow people to get to know us even more, and also to receive feedback on the EP.

I am assuming here, but would 90’s Kinda Love be a precursor of sorts to an “official” full-length studio effort? And if so, what all can be expected from your first album?

More like a taste of what we could do, but a full length project would definitely have a more urban, and even Hip-Hop based feel. The same thing that we hope will be across the board in our music (refer to question 4). We just want it to be honest, empowering, all-encompassing, heart wrenching music.

Do any of you all have any other outside/additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

Our number one focus is Good Girl and the success of that. We have many other talents among the four of us; including professional dancing, acting, modeling, cosmetology, teaching, writing and more, which I’m sure we would like to expand upon in the future. We admire greatly talented people and we also admire great minds; women specifically, who speak about positivity and teach how to make every single day count.

With that being said, what are your future plans and/or goals for sustaining longevity in this grueling business of music?

We are all taking the time now to learn the business of music. The business is just as important as the music, if not more. We’re just trying to be smart about our decisions and making sure we listen to our team and never let anything get in the way of the business. We understand that we are a “business,” and a business should constantly produce product of some kind for the people; it’s a give and take relationship. We also plan to remain a sisterhood and to never lose sight of the importance of that bond. We really love what we do and we love each other, so leaning on one another will be our secret weapon for when things get tough. Our overall goals are to always stay true to ourselves, our musical roots, to produce honest music and to keep sight of the vision.

On a more serious note, are you all happy with the current state of Pop-ular music?

We are happy about the fact that there is starting to be a lot of new talent, new music and new perspectives. A lot of today’s popular music does seem to be repetitive and a little too simple. But, it is exactly what you said; popular music! It’s whatever the people want to hear. Can’t be too upset about it. There’s a time and place for everything. We do recognize that it is very male dominated at the moment, so we are hoping for a new wave of female artists to come in and shake things up a bit. We also want to be a part of black history and make it strong again, so we have high hopes for the future of popular music.

Reflecting, how did you all first discover your musical talent?

Ari: I always loved to sing. I started singing in church when I was 5. I used to use toilet paper and paper towel rolls as microphones. I realized I could really sing when I was at a family get together one day. I was in the kitchen minding my business singing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” to myself, and my older cousin came up to me and told me that I could really sing. I respected his opinion, so that verified it for me.

Bobbie: I had always been extremely attracted to music, but I was introduced to dance at age 2 and that became my first love. I became extremely into dance, but after my performances my parents would faithfully find me with my ears pressed up against the loud stereo singing along with Brandy, Whitney, Mariah and more. Singing was always near and dear to my heart; I just was an extreme perfectionist when it came to that, because I knew what I wanted to sound like from my musical influences. As I entered middle and high school, I began exploring my vocal talent more and more…And, finally around age 19, 20, I dove into it completely and fell in love.

Megan: I was definitely singing before I could talk. I started early, in church. I would always try and give my two cents to the choir, and tell them how they should be singing the songs! *Giggles* I’ve always loved music. It saved me during some of my lowest times in life, and my mother has always been supportive. She always reiterated the saying, “Whatever you are, be a great one!” I didn’t actually start believing in myself as a singer and performer until I went out on my own and went off to college. I realized in a short time that my heart wasn’t at school, it was in music. So, I left and became a full-time singer; doing open mics, singing at weddings, etcetera. And now, here I am.

JL: My mama would say I came out the womb being an entertainer. I was the kid at the family events doing James Brown impersonations, constantly singing and dancing in the mirror and embodying Diana Ross in my Mama’s heels! I can’t recall a start time, I just seemed to be born loving music and wanting to be music.

Who have been your greatest inspirations musically and why?

The greatest inspirations to Good Girl would have to be Xscape, SWV and Destiny’s Child, because they were female singing groups with real singers who were relatable and came with a Hip-Hop edge. We are also inspired by Brandy, Aaliyah, Mariah Carey, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Anita Baker, because they are all blue-print. They have all made history and so will we.

What do you all feel you offer the music industry that we don’t already have in other performers?

There aren’t really any female R&B groups out currently, so we bring a different kind of energy. We are four different girls, with four different personalities that all compliment the other. We are entertainers — i.e., dancing, singing, all around performing — and we cater to all the different sides of a woman, which we want to represent in our music. We want to bring fresh faces to the industry that are talented, well-rounded and want to bring realness back.

Have you all encountered any problems in getting to this point in your career?

Thankfully, for the most part things have been moving smoothly. From our team to the responses we receive, from our supporters, it really feels like the stars aligned and this was meant to be. Of course, there are always going to be people trying to test our strength as a collective and carry the idea that girl groups are a lost cause…We’ve learned that there will always be hardships, people in your ear trying to tell you that you can do better, but as long as we say we can, we will.

What do you all want people to get from your music?

We want people to feel passionate about music again. We wanna give you that song that makes you cry, that makes you smile and reminisce and that makes you feel stronger. We want them to hear the rawness in our voices and in the stories we tell. We want women to feel empowered and understood. We wanna give you music you can sing along to and relate to.

When can we, the masses, expect some new music from you all?

Hopefully soon! We are still working the EP right now, but we are back in the studio recording new material. We’re in no rush to put stuff out for the sake of putting it out, because we want the material to be right. All great things take time.

What has been your greatest achievement(s) so far?

There have been so many great moments so far…From performing at SOB’s in New York City for BET’s Music Matters, to putting out our EP 90‘S KINDA LOVE, to opening up for Syleena Johnson in N.Y.C., to hosting for Luke James’ concert, to meeting Patti LaBelle! It’s been amazing to witness the continued growth and closeness that we have attained as sisters, and to hear the great feedback that we’ve heard from even greater people, which is fueling us to go harder.

If you all could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Michael Jackson!! He is the King of everything forever. There is a reason they call him “the greatest,” and to be able to just learn from him would be a blessing beyond words.

If you all could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?

Madison Square Garden. Once you sell out a show there, you’ve officially made it! N.Y.C. is a hard city to impress, but WE WILL SELL OUT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN! We believe in manifesting what you want and work for.
One track of yours that you think defines you all and why?

We don’t think there’s one particular song. Each one has its own emotion and feel to it.

Is there anything I left out, or just plain forgot to mention, that you all would like to point out at this given time? And lastly, do you all have any “closing” thoughts(s) for our readers?

Be on the lookout for GOOD GIRL, we’re taking over! And, download our new EP 90’s Kinda Love at: wearegoodgirl.com.

@weareGoodGirl