Social Studies presents: gbd (NYC)

Social Studies is back at the Lower Level with a guest we have enormous and longstanding admiration for—for their skill, range, and experience, and for the balance of introspection and audience awareness in their work. We are such big fans, we are welcoming gbd (fka Savile) back for a second time, something we rarely do—the first was a rousing party at Good Life in 2019. Their sound, process, technique, and spirituality are ever-evolving; meanwhile, their reverence for the roots of dance music and their respect for political context reflect in their innovations. It’s time to reintroduce gbd. gbd landed in Brooklyn by way of Chicago, where they came up as a resident at smartbar with a mentor in Derrick Carter, and released on labels such as 2MR, Argot, and Stripped & Chewed. Tracking the Public Records resident’s evolution can mean looking back as far as when they were 11 years old in rural Michigan, tinkering with hip-hop beats, writing rhymes, and learning to DJ on turntables. It can mean reliving a Sonic Messengers party, their recurring celebration of house music with AceMo, plus live vocalists and instrumentalists. Or it can mean reviewing just the last five years, during which they’ve come into themselves more deeply and authentically than ever before. Their years of experience allow for daring experimentation. They excel at creating contrasts in their sets—challenging, prickly sounds are leveled by dreamy breakdowns and sweet melodies. They perform a masterclass in tempo-switching—a reminder that tempo and energy are not inextricably linked. There’s tactility to their music—it can feel hot and sticky, fluid and cooling. Slinky R&B, trap, or dub lift you from your surroundings, and then a sudden injection of drum and bass or a banging vocal house track breaks your meditation. Their mission is to serve the dancer, and the crowds react boisterously to a surprising bursts of percussion or a shuffling juxtaposition of sounds you’ve never heard before. Also a texture weaver, plans2chill will be supporting gbd, and we can’t think of a better fit. Sal is co-creator of the dub techno party Minor Rituals, and one of our most trusted DJs. Capture this moment in gbd’s time on Friday, April 25th. Early bird (very) reduced tickets available. The Lower Level 55 Bishop Allen Dr. Cambridge, MA 02139 $20 $25 after 11pm