EXCLUSIVE: G.R.L. Discuss New Single Lighthouse, a Touching Tribute to Late Band Member Simone Battle
/(Alexander Eggebeen/RCA Records)
Last September, female pop group G.R.L. made headlines in a different way. They lost a member, Simone Battle, when she unexpectedly took her own life. Since then, the band has been working with Give an Hour, a nonprofit organization raising mental health awareness with their campaign "Change Direction" and making, as member Lauren Bennett says, "something positive out of a bad situation."
Simone Battle performing at 103.3 Amp Radio's Birthday Bash in June, 2014 (Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up).
G.R.L. says that after the tragedy, "taking the time needed to heal was most important." However, the group is grateful for the support of their fans, as well as their patience through the past few months, and "allowing them to get to where they need to be while they rebuild and get through their ordeal one step at a time."
At this time, they do not have a tour lined up, but are working forward as a quartet. With some unfinished projects from before Battle's passing that they look to focus on finishing, the girls "definitely want" to do a tour. Although they don't have any set dates for releases, G.R.L. says they're very excited to be "moving forward," and are "working on new music," not allowing the tragic events to hold them back as a group. They're expected to be seen on Australia's morning show "Sunrise", for the show's airing in Hawaii, and are "very excited" to return to Australia, as well as going to Vietnam for the first time.
G.R.L. says "Lighthouse" is their first major step forward since Battle's passing, and they wanted to reflect on her life in the best way they could. "Not everybody sees [mental health awareness] as important," and that it "[should be] just as common as going to the doctor's for a checkup," the girls told Roman's Rap-Up.
The "Change Direction" program was officially launched on March 4th, 2015, and focuses on spreading the awareness of the five signs that someone is struggling. The signs include personality changes, agitation, withdrawal, decline of self-care, and feeling hopeless; all signs which can be seen in oneself as well as others. "Change Direction" also works to provide resources for those in need of help, and those looking to help others who may be having trouble reaching out.
G.R.L. told us the program is estimated to become a nationwide campaign, if not global. At the launch in Washington, D.C., the group was "inspired" by first lady Michelle Obama's speech, which promoted the idea that there should be no stigma around mental health. The regional launch in Wisconsin is set for mid-March.
Give an Hour was founded by Barbara Van Dahlen in the spring of 2013. To learn more or if you wish to make a pledge to the program, you can visit www.changedirection.org or www.giveanhour.org.