Emilio Orrego started with a controller and an iPod nano in 2007. Two years later he was playing his first rave in Antigua, Guatemala — Atomic Pulse 2009. The moment that changed everything came in 2013, when Paul Van Dyk played his first rave and Emilio felt something lock into place. Since then, Groove Trooper has never stopped moving: from Garden Grove to Groove Cruise Miami, from military service to Avalon Memorial Day with 2,500 people on the floor. High energy. All smiles. Latin grooves.
"Stage presence. The tracks drive the set, but my energy up there is unmatched."
THE STORY
When did you start and what inspired you?
2007 — started with a controller and iPod nano. First gig was Atomic Pulse 2009 in Antigua Guatemala. The moment that made it real was the first rave I ever attended in 2013, in Guatemala, when Paul Van Dyk played. That was the moment I knew.
Who influenced your sound the most?
Roger Sanchez, Eric Morillo, Scotty Boy, Armin Van Buuren, Paul Van Dyk. The architects of house music who never forgot where the groove came from. That lineage runs through everything I play.
THE CRAFT
What makes your sets different?
I play drops and breakdowns, combine build-ups, and push as many tracks as possible — creating a crescendo feel from open to close. Every set builds. Every set peaks. Nothing is random.
What energy do you bring?
A lot of drums, tribal, and Latin heavy set lists. I always pay homage to Guatemala — it's where the fire started. You can hear it in every set.
What crowd do you play best for?
The kind that wants to have fun. That's it. People who show up ready to move, ready to feel it. The crowd does half the work — I just provide the soundtrack.
What can someone expect when they book you?
High energy, all smiles, Latin grooves. And stage presence that makes the tracks hit harder than they would from anyone else.
"I'm my own worst enemy when it comes to production. I need to understand that art is never finished, it's abandoned."
THE HIGHLIGHTS
Best set you've played?
Groove Cruise Miami 2020, Casino stage. An ocean vessel full of house music people — that's the ultimate room. Energy that has nowhere to go except into the music.
Biggest crowd?
2,500 people at Avalon Hollywood, Memorial Day 2023. The room was alive in a way you don't forget. That's the standard I chase every time.
Dream venue or festival?
Academy LA, Time, Day Trip, Nocturnal Festival. Vegas venues too. And the radio show — Rhythm & Villainy Radio — is part of that next chapter.
Track that always gets the crowd going?
Eran Hersh, Tekkman, DJ Freespirit — Tik Tok. Or my own track, Groove Trooper - Nossa Voz, when I want them to know who's behind the decks.
OFF THE DECKS
Something people don't know about you?
Outside of music, I serve in the military — both in and out of uniform. The discipline carries over. Every show is a mission.
Pre-set ritual?
Get a Modelo, kiss the wife, backstage, light stretch, jump three times, drink the Modelo. Every. Single. Time.
Late-night food?
Taco Bell. The answer is always Taco Bell.
What are you working on right now?
Rhythm & Villainy Radio — my radio show. An Afro house release. And Kingdom at Catch One in August. The next move is always in motion.
BOOK GROOVE TROOPER
Garden Grove, CA (Orange County)
Latin House · Tech House
Underground / Festival
2,500 — Avalon Hollywood
✋ Is this you?
We built this profile from public research to spotlight the scene. Claim it and join KEEPITIL to run it yourself — post, get booked, and sell tickets.
