Underground System

If you’ve crossed paths with Underground System, then you’ve witnessed the group’s larger than life presence. 

One of the most dynamic bands to emerge from New York City in recent years, Underground System continuously innovates a brand of global dance music that is uniquely their own. Frontwoman Domenica Fossati cites “A true New York eclecticism” running through the band's core. Whether in recorded form, selecting records, or on stage at one of their acclaimed live shows, they are a group that is happiest at play, as Rolling Stone put it, “making exuberant dance music that blooms out into countless directions”

The group's co-leader, Peter Matson, describes “a natural synthesis of styles” born out of a journey from humble beginnings performing rare grooves and DJing bars around Brooklyn, to the development of an authentically original, internationally touring indie-dance band with a story just beginning to be told. The production and release of 2018’s debut LP ‘What Are You’ (Soul Clap Records) proved to be the springboard that set the group in motion. Re-contextualizing and breathing fresh life into elements of afrobeat, dance punk, disco and electronic music, the album was received with international acclaim. KCRW’s most underrated album of the year lauded its ‘David Byrne meets Soulwax’ sensibilities. Features from Billboard, NPR/PRI, and a US tour with labelmates Soul Clap and Midnight Magic, alongside the growing word of mouth enthusiasm within their local Brooklyn community kickstarted the band's journey abroad. 

In December 2018, as ‘What Are You’ began catching the ears of discerning listeners overseas, Underground System’s featured performance at French tastemaking festival Transmusicales launched the band into an 18-show European tour in 2019. Appearances included Eurockeennes de Belfort, Fusion Festival in Germany, and a headlining slot at Laurent Garnier’s Festival Yeah!. Heavy EU radio play, press, and remixes from dance music legends Gerd Janson and Greg Wilson continued to affirm this group’s Brooklyn-bred sound was meant for the global stage. 

Much in the way the band has been able to take a unique locally developed sound further abroad, a partnership between Underground System, Brooklyn based label Razor-n-Tape, and French label Heavenly Sweetness in the EU led the group into their next era, with respective 12” EP releases of ‘Into The Fire’ and ‘Looking In’ during 2022-2023. Combining original work with club ready remixes further cemented the bands penchant for clever songwriting that meets the listener on their way to the dancefloor. Their latest single offering, 2024’s ‘Devotion’ and  ‘Heads Of State’, are witty uptempo dance punk numbers that keep the fires burning as completion of the groups 2nd full length LP moves to priority #1.