Groovers Only: Miami’s Underground House Music Powerhouse
Serendipity to Strategy - The Birth of Groovers Only
Jake Londos and Michael Perez’s journey began the way many great 305 partnerships do, through music and a bit of serendipity in Miami’s nightlife. Londos was working at Hyde Beach during an event in which Perez was opening. In a chaotic moment at the end of the night, a friendship sparked that evolved into one of Miami’s most dynamic artist management ventures: Groovers Only.
Londos’s career in nightlife started during his University of Florida days, promoting and working security at parties. Returning to Miami after college, he balanced a full-time construction job with part-time work at SLS Hyde Beach. Though he began as a promoter, Londos quickly ascended through the ranks. He helped lead Hyde through a revitalization that positioned it as a house music hub on Miami Beach. Under his guidance, Hyde became a hotspot for extravagant Art Basel, Miami Music Week, and Formula 1 events, while also nurturing local talent year-round.
Perez, meanwhile, has a rich history steeped in Miami’s underground scene. His roots lie deep with TechHouse Miami: a platform he founded with a focus on community and sound discovery. Perez’s ear for music is his driving force. TechHouse Miami wasn’t just a label; it was a thriving hub of free downloads, Instagram buzz, and active WhatsApp groups, creating spaces where producers and fans could interact and collaborate. It was through this ecosystem that Perez discovered artists like Bryan Softwell and nurtured their growth.
One evening, over wine at Lagniappe, Londos and Perez envisioned a bigger picture. With Hyde as their launchpad, a duo of producers crafting a sound tailored to Miami, their collective industry experience, and a stash of unreleased heat; Groovers Only seemed like the only natural course to take.
Building the Roster - From Local Grooves to Global Talent
Before the Groovers Only project was born, Perez was helping manage Bryan Softwell through his sudden rise into the limelight. Bryan’s tracks were gaining serious traction and being spun by major names like Fisher, Cloonee, and Diplo at iconic clubs like Club Space.
While Perez skillfully managed this momentum, the roster truly grew with the addition of Damelo. Starting with a simple demo submission, Groovers Only was quickly exposed to Damelo’s impressive and extensive catalog. That summer, Londos was the first to met Damelo in person. Over a spontaneously set dinner, Londos shared the Groovers Only vision and the chemistry between them was immediate. Not long after, Damelo made the move to Miami, strengthening the label’s foundation.
Des & Del also emerged from the supportive ecosystem of TechHouse Miami. Having crossed paths before, Perez’s post of one of their tracks led to a deeper connection with the duo, who were already making a notable impact on the local scene during COVID, performing regularly at venues like 1-800 Lucky and Treehouse. Londos was impressed by their sound and presence, making their addition a natural fit that further strengthened the collective.
Joe Vanditti came onto Groovers Only’s radar through the strength of his music, fitting perfectly with their ongoing search for fresh European talent that could cut through Miami’s crowded scene while still feeling authentic. They first heard his track “Antava,” slated for release on Dennis Cruz’s Muse label, and were instantly captivated. Motivated by this discovery, they took a bold step and reached out cold to Joe’s manager in Europe, Davide Avallone, proposing the idea of bringing Joe to the U.S. market.
The response was swift and positive. Davide arranged a call to explore a potential trip to Florida, which quickly evolved into a mini tour. Londos and Perez coordinated with local promoters and other key venues. Acting as Joe’s tour manager, Perez took the reins: driving him from gig to gig, navigating new cities, and bridging the gap between cultures. Despite the linguistic barrier, the two formed a strong friendship grounded in mutual respect and shared passion for the music. Since then, Perez has even joined him on South American tours to Chile and Colombia as his dedicated tour manager. Over the past year, they’ve worked on securing Joe’s U.S. visa while deepening a personal bond.
Signing Alves was perhaps the most natural process for the Groovers Only team. As friends outside of music, Alves had always kept it as a running joke that they were to be his future management, statements that now feel like manifestation. As his identity in the scene continued to grow, he began to produce more as well, each time reaching a higher level of quality. Not having a clear plan ahead, he confided in Londos and Perez for guidance. After hearing his sonic evolution, the duo mutually endorsed the addition and the rest is history.
Alves has experienced a significant upswing in recent years, both in production (releasing on labels like Andhera, Harvibal, and Ibiza Talents) and in touring, notably playing EDC Las Vegas back-to-back with Ky William. Perez highlights EDC Las Vegas as a major milestone in Alves’s career, recalling how he started with a crowd of just 25 people and ended up drawing around 300. Alves has also taken on frequent tour managing duties for his crazy compatriot Beltran, showcasing his versatility. To Perez and Londos, Alves is essentially a human Swiss army knife: driven, persistent, and dedicated. They emphasize that his success, which might seem sudden to outsiders, is actually the result of years of hard work.
Importantly, Perez and Londos stress that all their management relationships hinge first on the music. “If careers were created off vibes alone,” they say, “we’d have signed all our friends.” They seek artists with raw talent matched by drive and good character. They look beyond the studio to how artists present themselves socially, their community involvement, and branding. Perez highlights that it’s better to nurture untapped potential than pursue established artists with existing management. They tailor their support to each artist’s unique needs, emphasizing communication and transparency. Sometimes artists need tough love; other times, nurturing.
Three Years In - Groovers Only’s Expanding Footprint
While Groovers Only operates as a management agency, throwing wild parties remains central to their success. Hyde served as their home base but they gradually extended their reach to other key Miami venues. One standout night, a historic b3b set with Damelo, Bryan Softwell, and Alves, highlighted the need to enter a bigger market. This realization propelled them to New York, with a showcase at Jolene Brooklyn followed by a residency at Jolene Miami. Their debut party featured world-class talent such as Classmatic and Beltran, meriting praise from Club Space co-owner David Sinopoli, who called it one of Jolene’s highest-grossing bar nights. Other headliners have included Ky William during F1 Race Week and Technasia this past month. Additonally, in the summer of 2024, Groovers Only partnered with Ibiza Talents for a showcase in Ibiza. This showcase, in the global capital of house music, gave the duo validation that their vision was not just limited to the confines of America.
In addition to their main club nights, Londos and Perez have begun collaborating with Mr. Baguette (a cafe in Wynwood) to host daytime pop-up events on Sundays leading into their Thursday night Jolene parties. These pop-ups are more than just another trendy coffee shop gathering. For Londos and Perez, these pop-ups serve a strategic purpose: building anticipation and buzz around their upcoming weekly shows while giving the DJs on their lineups an opportunity to play together in a more relaxed, low-pressure environment. This setting allows the artists to experiment, connect with the local community, and fine-tune their sets ahead of the bigger stage, strengthening both their performance and the collective vibe of the Groovers Only crew.
This Saturday, August 16, marks the three-year anniversary of Groovers Only and the duo shows no signs of slowing down. To celebrate, they’re launching a new city takeover by partnering with CrowdVolt for a showcase at Chicago’s Primary nightclub. This showcase serves as a milestone, not only for breaking into a new market but also for hosting in the birthplace of house music itself. The lineup features Bryan Softwell and Damelo alongside local talents, all fitting seamlessly into the Groovers Only sound. Londos and Perez credit this opportunity to their strong reputation and the solid relationships they’ve built over time.
Shortly after their anniversary, Groovers Only is returning to Ibiza for a few events this summer in collaboration with Ibiza Talents (two showcases respectively at Tantra & Eden, plus a Damelo booking at Hi). Having learned valuable lessons from their first Ibiza trip, they’re dedicating more time on the island to focus on genuine networking rather than just partying. This includes hands-on promotion and on-foot flyering campaigns, with their full Miami entourage in tow. They also prefer late-season bookings, noting that crowds tend to be more engaged and the connections stronger toward the end of Ibiza’s season. The partnership between the two forces culminates in Ibiza Talent’s arrival this coming October for another collab but this time on home turf at Jolene.
The Next Chapter - Groover’s Only Records
Looking forward, Groovers Only plans to launch a label this fall under their namesake. This endeavor is especially close to Perez’s heart, marking a return to his roots and rekindling his passion for discovering hidden talent. The label isn’t just a natural progression for their management efforts, it’s also a new creative home for their existing artists to release music. After studying their favorite labels, Deeperfect serves as a blueprint for their vision. They aim to cultivate an minimal and percussive tech house sound. They plan to offer full immersive campaigns for each release: including artist spotlights, distinctive artwork, and comprehensive promotion strategies designed to give each track the attention it deserves.
When discussing the challenges of establishing the label’s foundation, Perez and Londos emphasize that the community they’ve built around themselves remains their greatest asset. Their network eliminates many typical hurdles, such as finding a reliable distributor, because they already have trusted connections. This tight-knit support system gives them confidence in launching the label and growing it progressively alongside their artists’ careers. On how they work together, Londos and Perez hold each other accountable, even if it means being blunt. They divide responsibilities according to their strengths and weaknesses, maintaining a balance that fuels their continued growth.
With their third year underway, the future looks bright for Groovers Only as they deepen their hold and continue establishing their direction in the international underground house scene.