5LOWERSHOP SOUNDSYSTEM

5lowershop is a DIY music, arts and activist collective which originated in San Francisco, California. The organisation began in 1997 as an underground free-music distribution outlet with a focus on promoting less familiar genres of electronic music via a series of mixtape releases. Cassettes of DJ mixes and live producer sets were sent out free of charge to anyone who left their details via an infoline. The concept behind the mixtape series was to encourage the listener to pay more attention to the music and less attention to the artist behind it, therefore, cover art and designs were mostly anonymous.

5lowershop progressed to organising independent, commercial-free raves in collaboration with the SPAZ Soundsystem in 1998. In the following decade the collective established itself as a home for experimental/electronic dance music in San Francisco. 5lowershop has been on two major tours in the US and Europe, connecting with crews and organizations with a similar ethos and collaborating with them to create unique events in their cities.

Experimentation and collaboration have always been at the heart of the 5lowershop experience. While there have been various club residencies over the years, in general, 5lowershop events are often site-specific, one-time-only affairs which encourage mutual aid practices between individuals and groups from all walks of life. As a crew we eschew the tools of the profit-driven electronic music scene in favour of cultivating mutual respect, community and creating safe autonomous spaces free from hierarchical authority and control.

We are currently compiling an archive of past activities which we hope to share with the public soon.

Stay tuned. Stay Connected xX

SEE YOU ON THE DANCEFLOOR