Varsity Girls

A year ago the Varsity Girls didn’t even exist. Now, soon-to-be pop stardom is practically a full-time job for the pop quintet.

The fresh-faced teens from the South Coast just shot a video for their single “Be You,” an ode to individuality that’s landed in regular rotation on WFHN-FM (FUN-107) and kicked off Kiss-108’s “Club Kiss” twice. “Be You” hit iTunes yesterday, the same day the Girls sang the national anthem at Fenway Park [map].

As part of a regional performance series and back-to-school promotional campaign with Wal-Mart, the group will perform and sign autographs at Wal-Mart stores in Walpole, Fairhaven, Halifax, Abington and Hanover starting Saturday.

Boy band members past and present are taking notice. Chris Kirkpatrick of ’N Sync and Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees are both enthusiastic supporters of the Varsity Girls, and Ricky Bell of New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe recently sent the fivesome - Jillian “Jiji” Zucco, Taylor Lawler, Kimber-lee Jacobsen, Simone Cardoso and Jillian Jensen - a Twitter shout-out.

“It’s kind of overwhelming, but it’s exciting, too,” 17-year-old Zucco, a Mattapoiset native, said. The Girls had just wrapped rehearsals at a Fairhaven dance studio for their release party at the Hard Rock Cafe tonight.

Peruse the group’s music catalog or catch a live set and the high-speed success makes sense. Girl groups aren’t exactly a novelty, but the Varsity Girls’ version of the formula may be. The music is dynamic, danceable pop with touches of rock and r & b, but don’t think watered-down, Auto-tuned emptiness. Three of the girls play instruments, their production comes from local powerhouse SureFire Music Group and their vocal harmonies are a cappella-ready and goose bump-inducing.

In essence, it’s musically sound pop in a wholesome, parent-approved package.

“In today’s world, products that win are unique, and this is truly unique,” said Jeff Gulko, a brand marketing specialist and member of the Girls’ marketing team. He helped to hook the group up with Wal-Mart.

“I think we’re easy to relate to because we’re teenage girls, so whatever everyone else is going through, we’re going through it too,” 15-year-old Lawler of Acushnet said.

“And it’s appropriate because it appeals to younger kids who will look up to us in the future, if they don’t already,” said 15-year-old Cardoso of New Bedford.

Seventeen-year-old Jensen of Rochester said the group willingly takes on the role of role models.

“It gives us even more of an excuse to be better people,” she said.

The Girls have about a dozen tracks under their belt, including “Fairytale,” co-written by Brooke Hogan.

Major labels have already expressed interest in the group, said SureFire Music Group CEO Jared Hancock, who co-manages the Varsity Girls.

Yes, the Girls have taken major strides since forming in November, but there are more goals:sign with a major label, attend next year’s Grammy awards and, like, record with Justin Bieber and the Jonas Brothers.

“I think we just want to have a long-term experience in the music industry,” 17-year-old Jacobsen of Westport said. “We want people to be able to hear our message, hear our music, relate to us and learn something positive.”

Varsity Girls “Be You” single release party, Hard Rock Cafe, tonight at 7. Tickets: $10; 617-424-7625.

- Boston Herald

Posted Feb 18, 2010 @ 12:24 PM
MATTAPOISETT — Newly formed pop group, Dollhouse, featuring two local teenagers, delivered a high-energy hit performance at the Roxy in Lawrence on Feb. 13 as the opening act for a Valentine's concert by Donnie Klang of MTV's “Making The Band.”

The five- member girl group showcased impressive vocals with solid harmonies and synchronized choreography. The crowd roared their affection for the girls, and Klang, himself, expressed his amazement for the girls' talent and extended opportunities to open at future shows.

Dollhouse members include Simone Cardoso, 14, of New Bedford; Kimber-lee Jacobsen, 17, of Westport; Jillian Jensen, 17, of Rochester; Taylor Lawler, 14, of Acushnet; and Jillian Zucco, 16, of Mattapoisett. The girls have just finished recording four original songs produced by Surefire Music Group in Lowell and will soon have two more to add to their album.

- GateHouse News Service for the Sentinel

Girl group Dollhouse and former 98 Degrees hunk Jeff Timmons are all smiles Saturday night at the Hard Rock Cafe in Boston, where the Dollhouse gals opened up for Timmons. - Boston Herald

Newly formed pop group, Dollhouse, delivered a high-energy hit performance on February 13 in Lawrence, Ma at the Roxy as the opening act for Donnie Klang of MTV's Making The Band. The five-member girl group showcased impressive vocals with solid harmonies and synchronized choreography. Dollhouse members include (left to right): Simone Cardoso, 14, of New Bedford; Kimber-lee Jacobsen, 17, of Westport; Jillian Jensen, 17, of Rochester; Taylor Lawler, 14, of Acushnet; and Jillian Zucco, 16, of Mattapoisett. - The Tri-Town Wanderer

Teen group Varsity Girls show major league talent
By SEAN McCARTHY
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
July 29, 2010 12:00 AM
Just listen to them on FUN 107 or watch their videos on YouTube, and you'll quickly realize that the Varsity Girls are ready for the major leagues.

The five SouthCoast teens, formerly known as Dollhouse, have the voices, the dance moves and the work ethic to make the sky the limit — and that's their guiding philosophy.

The band has already earned the support of a group of production and marketing professionals to help make their dreams a reality.

And with the release of their first single, "Be You," Varsity Girls are enjoying attention from the area's primary pop outlet, WFHN-FM. For the last two weeks, the song has been in regular rotation, up to four times a day, and is receiving a lot of requests from listeners.

"These girls are definitely up to industry standards," says FUN-107 Programming Director J.R. Reitz. "It's comparable to anything from a nationally known artist. They have a very strong vocal quality."

That talent will be on display when Varsity Girls take the stage at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament. On Aug. 17, "Be You" will be available on iTunes and the teens will begin shooting a video for the song in a couple of weeks. Varsity Girls will release a follow-up song to the airwaves in early September, "Fairytale," written by Brooke Hogan, daughter of famed wrestler Hulk Hogan. An EP is scheduled to drop in October.

Varsity Girls' growing success isn't just a matter of talent, but hard work. The group rehearses four days a week, three hours at a time, in their rented Fairhaven dance studio. There are also photo shoots and recording and video sessions — check out youtube.com/varsitygirlsmusic.

But when they hear the cheers of an audience, the hard work is all worthwhile.

"Hearing a positive response from an audience makes us want to work harder," says Jillian "JiJi" Zucco, 17, of Mattapoisett.

Simone Cardoso, 15, of New Bedford agrees.

"When I hear people cheering for us or I hear our song on the radio, it makes me feel like this band is something real, something legitimate."

The Boston-based production team SureFire Music Group is assisting with songwriting and recording, as well as imaging and branding.

"From the very first time we heard them, we quickly saw their natural chemistry and realized we had to do something with this talent," says Jared Hancock, one of the band's managers at SureFire. "Our goal is to win Grammys, and we think that these girls are capable of doing great things. Their abilities are phenomenal. We want to turn them into a pop sensation."

Varsity Girls are also working with BHP Sports & Entertainment, based in Washington, D.C. BHP specializes in marketing and development along with public relations.

"This group is exciting and energetic, with a fresh sound," says BHP's Jeff Gulko. "They're committed to their music and their careers."

Varsity Girls don't want to be a group that sounds similar to artists already on the market.

"Our main goal is to be something that isn't already in the business," says Jillian Jensen, 17, of Rochester. "We want to be different and to be known for having our own style."

Hancock of SureFire agrees. "We're making music with a modern pop feel that's innovative, not stuff that people are tired of hearing," he says. "At the same time, we want it to be easy for listeners to digest. The girls are into carving their own lane."

Along with JiJi, Jillian and Simone, the team is completed with Kimber-lee Jacobsen, 17, of Westport, and Taylor Lawler, 15, of Acushnet. Jillian plays guitar, piano and bass; JiJi plays piano; and Kimber-lee plays guitar.

So far the band has made appearances at area events, giving audiences a brief showcase of their talents. They are excited about doing a full show at one of the city's biggest forums, the Portuguese Feast.

"It's great to know that people in Portugal are actually going to be able to see us performing on their televisions," Jillian says.


- New Bedford Standard Times