Nick Gross

Nick Gross
Born (1988-07-19) July 19, 1988 (age 36)
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur
Musician
Investor
Known forFounder of Find Your Grind
Drummer for the band girlfriends
SpouseNatasha Gross
Children1
RelativesSue Gross (mother)
Bill H. Gross (father)

Nicholas William Gross (born 19 July 1988)[1] is an American entrepreneur, musician and founder of the Find Your Grind education platform. Gross founded the band girlfriends together with Travis Mills in 2020.[2][3][4] He is also a member of Goldfinger.[5]

Early life

Gross grew up in Laguna Beach, California,[6] the only son of Bill H. Gross and his second wife Sue,[7] and began playing the drums around age seven.[8] He started a career as a drummer and in subsequent years was the drummer for bands Open Air Stereo and Half the Animal.[9][10] With Open Air Stereo, Gross took part in the reality show Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County.[11] The band later signed with Epic Records.[12]

In 2009, Gross launched STRZ Enterprises, a record studio and record label.[8]

Career

Gross Labs

In 2018, Gross founded Gross Labs as parent company of Find Your Grind and Big Noise, among others.[8] Gross Labs invested in 100 Thieves, Buzzfeed, DraftKings, among others.[13]

In 2019 Gross led a series A funding of $10.8 million[14] for ReKTGlobal.[15]

Find Your Grind

In 2015, Nick and Natasha Gross founded the Find Your Grind Foundation to support disadvantaged young people.[16][17]

In September 2015, Find Your Grind Foundation collaborated with Anaheim Ducks to start the Find Your Grind Hockey Scholarship Program.[18]

In 2018, Gross founded Find Your Grind as an education platform with free online curriculum for students.[19][20] Celebrity mentors included Tony Hawk, Monique Coleman and Will.i.am.[21]

Big Noise

In 2018, Gross founded the music group Big Noise together with ex-Vagrant executive Jon Cohen[22] and rock producer John Feldmann.[23][24] He is CEO of Big Noise.[25] In 2019 the label's roster included Ashley Tisdale[26] and New Politics.[27]

In 2019, Big Noise launched the Noise Nest, a 5000-sq. ft recording studio in Los Angeles[28] and launched the FYG U Music + Tech Festival.[29]

In June 2019, Big Noise acquired the hip hop label Commission Record. Its roster includes MadeinTYO, Lil Dicky, Derez De'Shon and DJ Envy.[27] On 7 June 2019, The Wrecks signed with Big Noise.[30][31] The same year The Used and Travis Tritt also signed with Big Noise.[32]

Tyler Posey and his band Five North released their debut EP Scumbag via Big Noise on 6 March 2020.[33]

By 2021 Big Noise had expanded their 10,000 sq ft. recording studio facility The Noise Nest with five recording studios and rooms for streaming and gaming.[34] Alongside the signed artists from Big Noise other clients like Post Malone, DaBaby and A$AP Rocky use the facilities for work.[35][36]

Mod Sun signed a long-term deal with Big Noise in March 2021, and has since released two albums; Internet Killed the Rockstar in 2021, and God Save the Teen in 2023, under Big Noise.[37][38] Both albums were produced by John Feldmann.

In March 2022, The Veronicas signed with Big Noise.[39] In March 2023, indie record label Position Music[40] and Big Noise launched a music publishing joint venture.[41][42]

Goldfinger and Girlfriends

Since 2018, Gross had been touring drummer for Goldfinger.[43] Two years later, he became the official drummer of the band.[44]

In 2020, Gross formed the band Girlfriends with Travis Mills, with the duo citing Blink-182, 5 Seconds of Summer and All Time Low as the band's musical influences.[45] The band released the first single "California" on June 26, 2020, with the music video being released on August 11.[2] This was followed by their second single "Eyes Wide Shut" on 21 August 2020.[46] Their self-titled debut album was released on 23 October 2020 featuring 14 tracks. The production was led by John Feldmann.[47]

On 17 June 2022, Girlfriends released their second album "(e)motion sickness".[48][49]

In March 2023, Girlfriends released the single "Over My Dead Body" via Big Noise.[50][51] They also released "Life's A Brittany" on 14 April 2023.[52][53]

Esports

In 2018, FYG partnered with esports platform ReKTGlobal, parent company of Rogue and London Royal Ravens,[54] in scholarships for students who want to pursue esports.[55] He became a member of the board and the lead investor in ReKTGlobal.[56][57] In 2022, ReKTGlobal was acquired by entertainment company Infinite Reality and Rogue merged with Spanish esports organization KOI.[58][59][60][61] In 2018, FYG created the Fortnite based Junior Rogue program in partnership with ReKTGlobal to give young people the opportunity to get into esports and receive a scholarship through the Find Your Grind Foundation.[62][63][64] DrLupo participated as mentor in the program.[65]

Other investments

In February 2022, Gross became an investor in Mexican football club Necaxa.[66][67]

Awards

Find Your Grind was listed in the 'Brands that Matter in 2022' by Fast Company.[68][69]

Personal life

Gross is married to Natasha Gross (born Natasha Barritt), the Executive Director of the Find Your Grind Foundation.[70] They have one child together.[8] Gross enjoys surfing, running and skating.[71][72]

References

  1. ^ "Laguna Beach Birthdays: What Zodiac Signs are the Cast? The Complete Guide". Almost Cosmos. 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  2. ^ a b Dowd, Rachael (August 11, 2020). "See Travis Mills Return to Music with His New Pop-Punk Band Girlfriends". Alt Press. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  3. ^ Potter, Logan (2021-01-01). "girlfriends". EUPHORIA. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  4. ^ "girlfriends (Travis Mills, Nick Gross) announce self-titled debut album". Substream Magazine. 2020-10-02. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  5. ^ Dowd, Rachael (2020-08-11). "See Travis Mills return to music with his new pop-punk band girlfriends". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  6. ^ "Nick Gross: A Drummer with a Dream". Honeysuckle Magazine. 2016-04-28. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  7. ^ "Bill Gross's son coughs up $9 million above the Sunset Strip". Dirt. 2017-02-07. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  8. ^ a b c d "Spotlight: Musician-Turned-Entrepreneur Nick Gross Aims for Multi-Dimensional Media Empire With Gross Labs". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
  9. ^ Chesler, Josh (2017-03-21). "Half the Animal Are the New Band From Laguna Beach and Laguna Beach". OC Weekly. Archived from the original on 2019-11-07. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  10. ^ "Half The Animal Premieres Behind the Scenes Look at "Babylon", Drummer Nick Gross Talks Inspiration and East Coast vs. West Coast". Impose Magazine. 2017-04-05. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  11. ^ "Open Air Stereo | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  12. ^ "Open Air Stereo". Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  13. ^ "Investments | Gross Labs". www.grosslabs.com. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  14. ^ "Term Sheet -- Thursday, January 17". Fortune. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  15. ^ "ReKTGlobal announces $10.8 million funding round". Dot Esports. 2019-01-16. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  16. ^ "Founding Story". Find Your Grind Foundation. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  17. ^ "Team Rogue and Find Your Grind Partner to Create Mentorship and Training Program for Aspiring Fortnite Players". www.sportsdestinations.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  18. ^ "Found Your Grind Hockey Scholarship Program". www.nhl.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  19. ^ "Leading Career Exploration Platform Find Your Grind Receives Approval From All 50 States to Offer New "Future Ready" Remote Curriculum". www.businesswire.com. 2020-09-15. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  20. ^ Mitchell, Julian. "Find Your Grind: The Lifestyle Platform Teaching Gen Z Success Through Self-Discovery". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  21. ^ Kasko, Brittany (2022-09-20). "High school students find their passion with an assist from this program". Fox News. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  22. ^ "Three Industry Vets Join Forces To Launch Big Noise Collective". All Access. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  23. ^ "Hip-Hop Label Commission Records Enters New Partnership With Big Noise". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  24. ^ Baltin, Steve. "John Feldmann And Nick Gross On The Big Noise Family And The Return Of Pop/Punk". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  25. ^ "About Big Noise". Big Noise. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  26. ^ Mercuri, Monica. "Ashley Tisdale Talks New Album 'Symptoms' And Finding Her Own Voice". Forbes. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  27. ^ a b "Hip-Hop Label Commission Records Enters New Partnership With Big Noise". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  28. ^ "NOISE NEST SUMMER LAUNCH!". Gross Labs. Retrieved 2020-03-31.
  29. ^ "Big Noise Live & Prime Student Bring FYG U Fest to Colleges | Markets Insider". markets.businessinsider.com. Retrieved 2020-03-31.
  30. ^ The Wrecks sign a new record deal., retrieved 2024-02-12
  31. ^ White, Logan (2020-12-04). "The Wrecks to release new EP, 'Static,' on 12/18 via Big Noise". Substream Magazine. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
  32. ^ "Spotlight: Musician-Turned-Entrepreneur Nick Gross Aims for a Multi-Dimensional Media Empire With Gross Labs". Billboard. 2020-01-07. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
  33. ^ White, Logan (2020-03-05). "Interview: Five North discuss 'Scumbag,' relationship with John Feldmann". Substream Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  34. ^ Baltin, Steve. "John Feldmann And Nick Gross On The Big Noise Family And The Return Of Pop/Punk". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
  35. ^ "Studio Spotlight: Noise Nest Invests in the Future". ProSoundNetwork.com. 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  36. ^ "Noise Nest Pumps Up The Volume With PMC's Flagship QB1-A Monitors". Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  37. ^ "The Deals: MOD SUN Signs With Big Noise, ADA Pairs With Billy Mann". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  38. ^ Baltin, Steve. "John Feldmann And Nick Gross On The Big Noise Family And The Return Of Pop/Punk". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  39. ^ Brandle, Lars (2022-11-03). "The Veronicas Ready to Make a Big Noise With New Label Deal". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  40. ^ "Position Music". www.prsformusic.com. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  41. ^ "Position Music & Big Noise launch publishing JV including rock songwriter John "Feldy" Feldmann". www.musicweek.com. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  42. ^ "Position Music & Big Noise Announce Joint Venture, Signing John "Feldy" Feldmann to Worldwide Publishing Deal". CelebrityAccess. 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  43. ^ Goldfinger the GOAT, retrieved 2021-03-12
  44. ^ "Goldfinger announce new album". www.punknews.org. 23 November 2020. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  45. ^ "girlfriends". Big Noise. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
  46. ^ BWW News Desk. "girlfriends Release New Single 'Eyes Wide Shut'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  47. ^ White, Logan (2020-10-02). "girlfriends (Travis Mills, Nick Gross) announce self-titled debut album". Substream Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  48. ^ "girlfriends Release New Album (e)motion sickness Via Big Noise". Shore Fire Media. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  49. ^ "Pop-Punk Duo, Girlfriends, Drop Their New Album, (E)motion Sickness". Wonderland. 2022-06-17. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  50. ^ Jr, Ruben Perez (2023-03-11). "girlfriends Drops New Single, "Over My Dead Body"". Entertainment Rocks. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  51. ^ Major, Michael. "girlfriends Drops Brand New Single 'Over My Dead Body'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  52. ^ "Life's a Brittany — Girlfriends". Last.fm. 2023-09-15. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
  53. ^ "MUSIC NEWS: girlfriends Announce EP Details & Release New Single 'Life's A Brittany'". Bring the Noise UK. 2023-04-15. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
  54. ^ "Royal Ravens owner ReKTGlobal gets US$35m funding from Summit Partners - SportsPro Media". www.sportspromedia.com. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  55. ^ "Find Your Grind and ReKTGlobal team up for $450,000 in esports scholarships". VentureBeat. 2018-02-22. Retrieved 2020-03-31.
  56. ^ "ReKTGlobal and TalentX Entertainment Partner to Create TalentX Gaming". The Esports Observer. 2020-05-05. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  57. ^ Fitch, Adam (2019-01-16). "ReKTGlobal and Rogue raise $10.8 million in Series A funding". Esports Insider. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  58. ^ Kelly, Michael (2022-08-20). "Report: Spanish League powerhouse KOI to merge with Rogue, compete in 2023 LEC". Dot Esports. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  59. ^ "Metaverse Pioneer Infinite Reality, Inc. to Acquire Entertainment Conglomerate ReKTGlobal In Landmark Half Billion Dollar Transaction". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  60. ^ "ReKTGlobal parent company Infinite Reality goes public". Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  61. ^ Kalro, Nikhil (2022-08-23). "KOI reportedly set merger with Rogue, Kcorp and Giants still out". Esports.net. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  62. ^ Wenerowicz, Daniel (2021-02-13). ""You have to create content, you have to be gaming all the time": ReKT Global investor Nick Gross on youth Esports". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  63. ^ "Junior Rogue Announcement". YouTube. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  64. ^ "Rogue and DrLupo Announce Junior Rogue Semester 3". Infinite Reality. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  65. ^ "Junior Rogue Mentor Dr. Lupo Helps Young Fortnite Gamers Turn Pro". www.sportsbusinessjournal.com. 2019-03-18. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  66. ^ "Nick Gross Portfolio Investments, Nick Gross Funds, Nick Gross Exits". www.cbinsights.com. Retrieved 2023-05-23.
  67. ^ Pelit, Asli (2023-01-10). "Odell Beckham Jr. Joins Mexico's Club Necaxa, D.C. Pickleball as an Investor". Sportico.com. Retrieved 2023-05-23.
  68. ^ "Career guidance gets a reboot". Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  69. ^ "Small brands that matter". Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  70. ^ "Natasha Gross – Find Your Grind". findyourgrind.com. Retrieved 2020-08-20.
  71. ^ Gross, Nick; Shiffer, as told to Emily (2022-04-01). "This Professional Drummer Recovered From 2 Lung Collapses — Now He's Training for His 1st Ironman". Runner's World. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  72. ^ "Half the Animal Are the New Band From Laguna Beach and Laguna Beach – OC Weekly". www.ocweekly.com. 22 March 2017. Retrieved 2022-06-01.