Right in the midst of sound check, and maddening commotions coming from attendees, all-girl musical band, The GG’s, played their instruments in a discordant tone.
Finally, without queue, the melodies submerged together beautifully, like doves taking flight against the sunrise.
On December 4, 2016 the multi-layered instrumentalist performed at the Morehead Tavern (First Sunday Live Unsung), in Charlotte, NC.
Although their show was less than an hour away, the troupe still wanted to get their interview in, to let readers know who they are and what they’ve been doing lately.
Originally from Peoria, Illinois, the Pop/ Rhythm and Blues trio, actually considers Atlanta, Georgia their sole home.
When the squad, comprising three sisters, Lauren Taneil (28), Chyna Garriel (26), and English Simone (27) aren't in their hometown, the band is traveling around the world, performing in front of millions of spectators at sold-out concerts.
For instance, Bass player and Vocalist, Taneil, shared the stage with Beyoncé, and earned her position as Ace Bassist. She’s played for Kelly Price, and Black Girls Rock, in addition to the Super Bowl.
Simone, a gifted Keyboardist, played for legendary Blues crooner, Theodis Ealey.
Garriel, the powerhouse Drummer is seen on TI and Pharrell’s, “Hear Ye, Hear Ye,” video, bringing the featured visual to life with such an amazing execution.
Jointly, the biological sisters possess a sexy cadence about themselves, along with musical pipes, and musician skills, reminiscent of 90's band, No Doubt.
Taneil, Garriel, and Simone all confirm that their dad, Mr. Robinson, is the one that cultivated their innate genius, kind of like Jo Jackson, and his dream- team, The Jackson 5.
EP available later in 2017
“We didn’t really decide (music was going to be their journey), our dad forced us when we were younger,” The girls giggle at their own joke.
“It worked out for us and we stuck with it. It’s so rewarding, and I’m glad we stuck with it,” said Taneil.
The group played behind Brownstone, Q Parker, Jasmine Sullivan, Erykah Badu, Laylah Hathaway, Syleena Johnson, and Kenny Lattimore, to name a few bad azz vocalists; so we know that Mr. Robinson's structure paid off big time.
That's another reason we needed to have this discussion, to talk about the musical journey, as mentioned below.
Did you choose the instruments or did the instruments choose you?
CG: I was put on the drums, and I think I was the most coordinated out of everybody, and that’s just how that worked out for me.
LT: I’ve always been on bass. I always felt such a deep connection with bass. I love it so much. I was attached to it. I always heard the bass lines, so I felt like it kind of chose me. At a real young age, how do you know that stuff? At five, six and seven, how do you really know?
Once your dad knew that you were talented, how did it take off? What was your first concert like?
LT: We started off playing in church, for our family, and stuff like that.
ES: We actually started off as a singing group for a long time, and our tapes kept skipping and stuff. He (Their dad) was like, “No, you gotta play your own music now.”
How old were you when you started singing and then playing?
CG: We were like four, five and six, when we started singing. Then, maybe a couple years after that, at six, seven and eight, we started playing instruments.
Is this a spiritual journey?
ES: For sure! I think God definitely gave our dad the vision to do this. It’s definitely spiritual—all the way
.
Is it difficult to maintain a personal life all the while touring?
LT: I think as an adult, it’s easier to manage the time, but as a kid, it was hard, and it was hard to understand because we wanted to go outside and play.
CG: Although our mom, she had a big hand in keeping us balanced. Our dad was the musical person, although she sang too, but she would put us in cheerleading, and Girl Scouts.
ES: I kind of feel the complete opposite though, because now that we’re older, there’s just so much more responsibility that comes along with that. As kids, we didn’t have to worry about that. All we had to do was focus on playing, and of course now, it becomes really, real, as an adult. Now, you have to balance your personal life… You gotta work at it. With us being adults now, and still sisters, we have to figure each other out as grown women… As for me, I think it’s more difficult now.
Touring and then coming back to normalcy… Finding your peace—how do you balance the chaos?
ES: Praying helps. Praying to God, and keeping God first every day; I mean, that’s the peace I’m looking for.
How did you guys get those big breaks? You’ve toured and performed with people like Beyoncé… “Wow, and you’re so humble!” How does that make you feel?
LT: I feel so blessed to play with Beyoncé. Just to have that experience, to be around her, learning, and soaking up so much of that. I feel so blessed to have that opportunity and experience, to be able to come back with what I learned, to show and teach my sisters and continue to keep going.
“Shout out to Beyoncé,” they all echo in unison.
If you weren’t performing, what would you be doing?
LT: I have my esthetician license, so I’d probably be working in a spa, or if I wasn’t on stage, I’d probably be still writing songs somewhere.
ES: For me, I work in a hair salon—so I would either be doing hair-care somewhere. I love to entertain, so I’d probably be somebody’s host on someone’s show.
CG: For me, I would’ve loved to be a stay at home mom, married to a rich husband, barefoot and pregnant (She jokes) … I have one now, my little girl. It’s a little hard (being a touring mom) cause I want her to come everywhere with us, but sometimes she can’t come because we’re at clubs… She’s pretty much grown. She’s three, and she’s grown (laughter). It’s hard being away from her, but I know I’m doing this for her.
What do you guys want to be known for?
CG: I think we’re making history, and in the way that we’re doing it, we would want to be known as “Black females doing it this way,” like with instruments, musicians, and as mothers, breaking barriers.
ES: Just "Black women out here doing it,” as opposed to being in the streets-- we're making something of ourselves.
CG: And we don’t have to sell our souls, to be what we want to be.
LT: Just knowing that we are doing something positive.
Do you think that your dad gets enough of the spotlight, or he more behind the scenes with your development?
CG: I think he likes being behind the scenes, but every now and then we’ll call him up on stage. He’s a musician as well. He plays the guitar mostly. We’ll call him up to do his thing.
With your musical background, do you think you’re more educated than independent artist that’s trying to do their thing?
CG: I Think often times, we don’t know everyone’s background. Some people can have that old-school (structure), and then it surprises you that they have that old-school knowledge. They don’t put it out there, but they could have that background.
Is there anything you would change about your experience—a lesson that you wished could be done over... what would it be?
LT: I would say, because neither one of us, we didn’t go to school for this. Our dad was our school growing up. He was the old-school music, constantly practicing and studying, and that was our school. I do encourage everyone who wants to aspire, whatever you’re doing, educate yourself on it. That’s the one thing. I don’t regret it, but it would’ve been nice to have that education. I mean, God is good, I’ve been all around the world touring. I haven’t gone to school for that, but I do study my craft, so I encourage everyone to study their craft.
What’s your favorite song that you’ve written?
LT: We got one called “What up?” It’s not on ITunes yet, so you’re kinda getting the exclusive right now.
CG: Another of my favorites is called “F IT”
“Yeah, "F It,” they all chime excitedly.
Last question: How’d you come up with the name for your band?
LT: It stands for God’s grace. Like she was saying earlier, it was a vision that God gave to him (Their Dad). His real name is Gary, so he was gonna name us Gary’s Girls, but then he realized that he had to give it back to God, to bless him. So, "God’s Grace."
Anything that you want to share with up-and-coming artist, that’s watching you and your movement?
ES: I think the main thing is, and I know it sounds cliche, but, don’t give up.
Follow the young women:
@TheGG'sband,
@laurentaneil
@gr8wallsofchyna,
@englishsimone
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