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Editor’s Note: Matt Crossett will be performing at Sound The Groove’s 18+/ SINGER SONGWRITER/ SUNDAY FUNDAY | KNITTING FACTORY BK on November, 10th 2019! Be sure to check them out, along with other amazing artists from the area! If you’d like to perform with Groove, contact us here.

Hailing from Katonah, NY, in Westchester County, NY, Matt Crossett got his start signing in high school and college in a capella groups. This helped him to hone his ear and develop an acute ability to harmonize with many different styles of singer and also wrote stacked harmonies that are a staple of his music. Those years also allowed him to become more and more comfortable on stage as a performer. In 2009, he finally picked up the guitar and that started a new era of music.

Beginning to write his own material around that same time while living abroad in Thailand and Spain for the next 3 years, Matt began honing his songwriting skills on guitar and slowly improving his chording and solo skills as well. Not until he starting playing with his first band MOOSE did he get his first taste of performing as a rock group.

Performing with MOOSE eventually ended and searching for a new band and new direction, he made his way to the local open mic at Yorktown Grille and met Sticky Nonsense, the rhythm section composing of Mike Cesario, Jason Robins and Mike Silverstein. Once he started with them, and after booking dates and gaining a local following, they changed their name to Smooch, culminating in the debut EP release “Something New” on November 8th, which you can listen to at Smoochya.bandcamp.com, as well as all streaming platforms.

Visit MattCrossettMusic.com, facebook.com/MattCrossettMusic, Instagram @MattCrossettMusic and @Smooch_Ya to see all information about upcoming music and shows in your area!

Editor’s Note: Matt Crossett will be performing at Sound The Groove’s 18+/ SINGER SONGWRITER/ SUNDAY FUNDAY | KNITTING FACTORY BK on November, 10th 2019! Be sure to check them out, along with other amazing artists from the area! If you’d like to perform with Groove, contact us here.

Editor’s Note: Black Dragon will be performing in Sound The Groove OC’s event at House of Blues Anaheim’s Foundation Room on Friday, May 31st, 2019! Be sure to check them out, along with other amazing artists from the area! If you’d like to perform with Groove, contact us here.

“It’s hard to believe that you are only three guys up there making all that music!” The Ventura County hard rock power trio Black Dragon hears this a lot. With Dave Morello on drums, Steven Charles on bass and Sean O’Donnell on guitar & vocals, the band gives a live performance suitable for all ages that gets fists pumping, people dancing and heads bobbing in rhythm to the music. The original songs played by these three experienced musicians combine elements from the past, present and even the future of music. The combination of powerful drumming, solid bass and stylish guitar coupled with soaring vocals allows Black Dragon to blend styles from different genres so subtly that the listener will discover something new every time they hear one of the band’s tunes.

Black Dragon has headlined and performed as a supporting act at clubs, festivals and also provided entertainment at fundraising events. They are also two time winners at the Ventura County Music Awards, voted “Best Rock Band” in 2016 and “Song of the Year – ‘Not Another One’ in 2017. The band approaches live performances with a professionalism you can rely on show after show. Black Dragon engages the audience, assures the promoter and leaves everybody wanting more.

facebook.com/blackdragonrocks

reverbnation.com/blackdragonrocks

Editor’s Note: Stormgiant will be performing in Sound The Groove NY’s Sunday Funday Bash at Knitting Factory Brooklyn on Sunday, May 26th, 2019 for Memorial Day Weekend! Be sure to check them out, along with other amazing artists from the area! If you’d like to perform with Groove, contact us here.

Stormgiant is an original hard rock band from New York City consisting of:

Sean Connors – Lead Vocals
Elias Stampolis – Guitar and vocals
Steve Hurwitz – Drums
Ray Ristau – Bass Guitar and vocals

Stormgiant has been around for over 6 years and has played some of the most iconic rock and roll venues in New York City including The Bitter End, Highline Ballroom, Webster Hall, Gramercy Theatre, Blackthorn 51, and Irving Plaza and has a loyal following that loves to interact with the band live. We have an intense and non-apologetic approach to rock and roll which starts with the groove oriented power guitar riffs of Elias and the poignant and meaningful lyrics of Sean propelled by the powerful drums and bass rhythm engine of Steve and Ray.

Stormgiant’s fans have described our music as having that certain feeling of the 70s and 80s which pays tribute to the band’s many influences while not sounding like any of those influences directly. Stormgiant’s music is about living life and the nature of the world around us but … at it’s core Stormgiant is about Rock and Roll …. rip the roof off Rock and Roll!

Stormgiant will soon be releasing it’s first album entitled “Cloudburst” and is working on a second record. The band writes prolifically and more records will definitely follow. Check out Stormgiant on www.facebook.com/Stormgiant

Editor’s Note: Stormgiant will be performing in Sound The Groove NY’s Sunday Funday Bash at Knitting Factory Brooklyn on Sunday, May 26th, 2019 for Memorial Day Weekend! Be sure to check them out, along with other amazing artists from the area! If you’d like to perform with Groove, contact us here.

BACKLINE

All house drums are provided by Canopus Drums

DRUMS – Canopus Yaiba II Series Groove Kit (22×18 Kick Drum, 16 Floor Tom, 12 Rack Tom, 10 Rack Tom)

DRUM HARDWARE – (2) Canopus Hybrid Boom Cymbal Stand 2, (1) Canopus Hybrid Hi Hat Stand, (1) Canopus Hybrid

Snare Stand, (1) Canopus Hybrid Drum Throne. KNITTING FACTORY DOES NOT CARRY CYMBALS, KICK PEDALS, A

CLUTCH, OR A SNARE DRUM. DRUMMERS, PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN OR BRING SOMEBODY ELSES.

GUITAR – Marshall MG100FX Guitar Amplifier

Marshall 4×12 Guitar Cabinet

Fender Twin Reverb 65’ Reissue

BASS – Hartke HA3500 Bass Amplifier

Hartke 410XL Bass Cabinet

DJ – Pioneer DJM 900 Nexus Mixer

(2) Pioneer CDJ 2000 Nexus Turntables

(2) Technic 1200MK Turntables

We do not carry Serato, slip mats, or needles.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

CONSOLE

MIDAS PRO2-CC-TP digital console – 64 input, 16 output

Monitors from FOH

PATCH

40 input, 8 output

Located upstage/offstage left

MAIN ARRAY

LEFT – (2) L’Acoustics ARCS Wide constant curvature WST (LF 12”, HF 3”)

(1) L’Acoustics SB18m compact high power subwoofer (1×18”) flown

RIGHT – (2) L’Acoustics ARCS Wide constant curvature WST (LF 12”, HF 3”)

(1) L’Acoustics SB18m compact high power subwoofer (1×18”) flown

CENTER – (1) L’Acoustics ARCS Wide constant curvature WST (LF 12”, HF 3”)

SUBWOOFERS – (2) L’Acoustics KS28 Reference subwoofer (2×18”)

MONITORS

(6) Martin Audio XE300 Two way passive coaxial differential dispersion stage monitor

(2) Martin Audio Blackline X118 Direct radiating passive subwoofer

AMPLIFIERS

FOH (1) L’Acoustics LA8

(1) L’Acoustics LA12X

MON (2) Martin Audio IK42

MICROPHONE & DI

(1) Audix i5 (4) Radial ProDI Passive 1 channel

(2) Radial TRIM Two Passive stereo DI

(4) Sennheiser e604 (1) Radial ProD2 Passive stereo DI

(1) Sennheiser e835 STANDS

(2) Sennheiser e609 (3) Single Tier X Keyboard Stand

(8) Shure SM58 (9) Tripod Tall Boom Microphone Stand

(2) Shure SM57 (9) Tripod Short Boom Microphone Stand

(1) Shure Beta 57 (5) Round Base Straight Stand

(1) Shure SM81

(2) Shure KSM141

(1) Shure Beta 91

(1) Telefunken M82

Editor’s Note: PAUSER is a PHENOMENAL entertainer from the greater San Diego area. He is an artist who has the ability to take any crowd and take them from having a good time, to having a Vegas-style riot within minutes. We are proud to be working with him, and look forward to getting him in front of as many people as possible!

Meet Sam Pauser, aka DJ Pauser, Man of our DJ dreams.
Written by: Hailey Stewart/ Instagram: @hippie.hailz

Not many of us can say we have the talent to get the whole crowd vibing to good energy, but this up and coming DJ, Sam Pauser (aka DJ Pauser) has enough energy to get the crowd jumping so much, the second floor of a house has sunken through. Being a mix of a little bit of everything, this versatile yet eclectic style Pauser emanates has the crowd entranced into a “party hard” state of mind till the club shuts down. (Everything you’ve ever wanted in a DJ right?) Pauser started out as a DJ in the more underground party scene, becoming the heartthrob of many young adults. But after seeing his sets now at countless events, from House of Blues in Anaheim and San Diego to Bassmnt and Sidebar in San Diego, I sat down with Pauser to really see the story behind this underground gem of a party starter.

What made you want to start DJ-ing?

When I was in 8th grade, my brother gave me my first techno mix tape. It had twelve tracks on it and I listened to it for months straight over and over on the bus in middle school.  After that I went to high school and then, I don’t know, but one thing led to another and more electronic music like dubstep and trap started to come out. I remember the first time I heard dubstep I was a sophomore, about 16 years old, in the backseat of my friends car with his subs and I was saying ‘oh my gosh this is pretty frickin awesome.’ I started going to concerts and raves, and I remember I just thought, why couldn’t I do something like this? So I tried it out, and now I’ve been producing for two years and DJing for one year.

Would you say you have a specific style?

That’s always been a conflicting factor for me. I’ve always jumped all around the scene, going from jump style to twerk style to dubstep to headbangers stuff, like all over the map. And still, to this day, I haven’t really picked a specific genre that defines me.  I would say my biggest, and personal favorite that I just love to do is headbangers. I love when the crowd goes nuts and I love when they rage. So I mostly just read the crowd, it depends on the mood, depends on the scene, and how the crowd reacts to what I’m doing and then I react to what they’re doing.

Who are your greatest influences?

There is one specific artist that is my greatest influence. My friend showed me Bassnectar the first couple of weeks I started listening to dubstep and that’s when shit just hit the fan. Right as I heard his music I couldn’t stop grooving to it. He’s the biggest EDM underground artist that’s all about the headbanging genre too so he’s my absolute biggest influence and I’m his absolute biggest fan.

Seeing as you’re most known for your energy being off the wall awesome and infectious, I have to ask: where do you get all of that performance energy?

Haha I don’t know actually, I guess I put a smile on and try and make people happy. It’s better to give more than receive and I feel like I want to give everybody the best time of their lives every single time I DJ. I want to give them the most memorable night like ‘Oh my gosh that was amazing, I went out with my friends, we were sober, we were drinking, whatever, we all just went out and had the best night ever.’

What’s happening in terms of labels? How’s the business aspect going?

The business aspect right now, I’m still in the process of discovering my specific style of music. And when I’m 100% confident that this is my music, this is where I’m going with it, this is what I want to do, and then I will become part of a label. I’ve been offered a couple times from a couple different record companies, some small time some a little bigger, but my primary focus is to become a part of Mad Decent, owned by Thomas Wesley Pentz (Diplo), that’s my ultimate label record I want to be a part of.

How’s working with Groove International? Has it been a good experience?

In one word I would say it is: awesome. Honestly working with my manager, Jonathan Avila, has brought me out of my shell every time they book me for a gig. I have been pushed so much more in every show they’ve booked me in. It’s been a great growing experience for me, and honestly so awesome.

Does the idea of your discovery excite or scare you?

Of course I’m excited! I’m always excited about music but sometimes you can let it get to your head and it can really start to freak you out. And one of my good friends had to sit me down and tell me to calm down. And as soon as I did that, I took a step back, found what I was doing wrong and started doing it right. It’s my passion and whether I make it and go big or not, I don’t really care because I’m going to still DJ anyways.

Okay, finally, out of all your experience preforming, what was your craziest night DJing?

Haha well, I was DJing at this guy’s house party and he was super cool and the party was packed. And basically what happened was, I was playing on the second story and the crowd was jumping so much the second story floor started sinking, like the floorboards were breaking. I was so afraid my DJ set up was going to fall through, but the owner was cool with the floor breaking, so that was pretty insane.

Pauser, a San Diego Native, truly brings a different feel to not only the DJ scene but also the electronic genre itself by always staying true to his underground roots and ever changing style. We highly encourage you to check Pauser out on his soundcloud: soundcloud.com/pauserofficial; but if you want to experience one of your most memorable nights and Pauser’s infectious high energy for yourself, you can check Pauser out at his upcoming shows:

House of Blues Anaheim on March 10th & Sidebar in San Diego on March 25th

Also check him out on: Instagram &Twitter : @pauserofficial and Snapchat: @sam_pow

Written by: Hailey Stewart

Groove International is very proud to announce that we have made more donations to charity this year than any other year! Among the charitable organizations are: American Cancer Society, Susan G Komen, Wounded Warrior Project, United Cerebral Palsy, and Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy.

As the near year approaches, our team is looking for bigger and better ways we can give back to the community. We are looking to participate in even more causes, such as autism awareness and suicide prevention as well.

As our charity programs grow, we feel like all options should be on the table. If you or anyone you know would like to contribute your time, energy, and ideas to makings a bigger impression on the world, please contact our director of operations!

Photo courtesy of Hard Rock Hotel San Diego.

Groove International is proud to announce that we are officially moving into Hard Rock Hotel’s 207 Nightclub in San Diego! Like we do, we plan on celebrating by hosting an epic expansion party in the beautiful city that we have come to call home.

Our first event will be our annual Winter Wonderland Bash on Friday, December 18th, 2015! Brace yourself for a wild night filled with Live Bands, DJs, dancers, photographers, sexy santas, hosts, fake snow, candy canes, and everything else that we can throw in the mix!

Bigger. Louder. Better. Sound The Groove.

| RSVP on Facebook | Purchase Tickets Online | PERFORM|
Note: Tickets are always cheapest when purchasing through a performing act, then online, then at the door.

We are proud to announce that Groove International is officially expanding our parties into the beautiful F6IX Nightclub of Downtown San Diego! To celebrate the expansion, we are hosting our infamouse “RISE N GRIND” Expansion Party on Friday, December 18th, 2015! (21 & Over Event)

Rise N Grind is an incredible Hip-Hop Mixer, where we showcase some of the hottest up and coming talent in San Diego’s Hip-Hop community. We’ll have live acts, DJs, go go dancers, photographers, confetti, and everything else we can throw into the mix to make this event an EPIC night for all!

Come be a part of what can only be described as an EPIC movement in San Diego. Be a part of the rise. Be a part of the grind. Party with whoever’s going to be the next big thing.

| RSVP on Facebook | Purchase Tickets Online | PERFORM|
Note: Tickets are always cheapest when purchasing through a performing act, then online, then door.

Written by: Jeremy Copp

James Lewis has a lot on his mind. And he’s not afraid to share it. In fact, he thinks it’s a musician’s obligation to do so. “As artists, we have a responsibility to report what we see to the world” he says, because he believes the media will only tell us what they want us to hear. And right now, James sees the world as a slightly dark and chaotic place. As the lead singer and songwriter of Hurt and the Heartbeat, he shares hurt, pain, suffering, happiness and joy. He is of the mindset that it all keeps us in balance, like some great cosmic yin and yang. That is really the essence of his band’s name. There is the yin, which is hurt, but there is also the yang, that heartbeat that keeps the blood moving and pushes the body and mind ever onward, towards healing. And that’s the thing. James Lewis is an eternal optimist, with an unshakeable faith in the power of positive thought. He believes that the only way to truly effect change is to spread positivity to each and every individual; and because we are all interconnected, it’ll spread like a contagion. And if he has his way, his band will be the next big epidemic.

Hurt and the Heartbeat originated ten years ago, when James met bassist Raundi Moore Kondo in the park while strumming the guitar in what James refers to as an “organic happening.” But then they drifted apart. Fast forward to two years ago, when James moved into an apartment with rhythm guitarist Richard Cadman, and the two of them focused on working up as much material as possible. James reconnected with Raundi, and they booked their first shows. However, they still needed a drummer. With fortune smiling upon him, James basically ran into drummer Timo Prietto on the street. As James tells it, “Timo just had that energetic look of a musician.” And just like that, the core lineup of Hurt and the Heartbeat fell into place.

James is adamant about not having Hurt and the Heartbeat pigeonholed into any particular style of music. “The most boring question is ‘what genre are you?’” he states bluntly. He prefers to walk out on stage and perform to a crowd that has an unadulterated point of view. Hurt and the Heartbeat has purposefully kept their website and Facebook page devoid of any description of their sound. Therefore, there will be no such spoilers here. Instead, here are some examples of what Hurt and the Heartbeat DON’T sound like: Tool, Outkast, and Rammstein. Hurt and the Heartbeat’s music will make you want to drive through the California desert with nothing on the horizon but endless highway and the late afternoon sun, brilliant and glowing in the sky.

Hurt and the Heartbeat truly want people to react to what they are hearing in the moment. And if James has his way, what people will be reacting to is raw emotion. For him, the emotion of the song is much more important than the sound quality. As James describes it, he has had a rather turbulent relationship with music, even going so far as to give up playing guitar or writing songs for ten years. And then he realized that he was much better off emoting his problems through music. “I’m just like everyone else,” James claims, “F*cked up and trying to deal with my pain on stage instead of with alcohol and drugs.” His openness is refreshing, and he tries to bring that to stage every time Hurt and the Heartbeat performs.

At the time being, Hurt and the Heartbeat are trying to slow down their performance schedule to focus on recording. James says that they are writing their second album, and he already has the songs for a third album in the works. So see them live soon, while they’re still gigging incessantly. Chances are you will find their passion, honesty and energy highly infectious.

See Hurt and the Heartbeat at Groove International’s Sunday Funday Bash on July 12 (House of Blues-Main Stage, Anaheim, CA).

For more information on Hurt and the Heartbeat, visit:
http://www.hurtandtheheartbeat.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hurtandtheheartbeat