If you’re into dance music and live in New York City, you’re probably familiar with Mark Martinez, who DJs under the name Subset. He’s the man behind Webster Hall’s famed BASSment parties, and can usually be found at all hours of the night DJing at various parties throughout NYC’s underground music scene. 

Martinez has always seen a bigger picture, whether it be starting a grassroots campaign to promote ear protection in night clubs, or collaborating to create a custom boombox when there he couldn’t find one on the market. And now he’s launching his brand new label, Study Group, on April 3rd at the Black Bear Bar in Williamsburg.

“The idea of a study group is a collective of people coming together and pooling their resources to help each other learn and grow. With Study Group, I want to do just that… not just with the artists on our label, but with anyone who comes in contact with us,” the producer explained to us, “We will be hosting workshops before every event featuring artists performing at the events as well as other guest lecturers, and we are supporting education in other forms, such as donating a portion of all music and ticket sales to Building Beats. I want to inspire and educate while releasing amazing underground music that deserves an audience.”

True to his words, from 9pm-10pm prior to the launch event, Father Dude will host a work shop on songwriting, recording, and mixing. The label will also donating 10% of the procedes from this event to Building Beats, which is a non-profit that develops DJ and music programs that teach entrepreneurial and leadership skills.

What kind of music can expect to hear on April 3rd? Subset explains, “Study Group isn’t going to focus on any one genre, though we tend towards the weirder side of the spectrum. As you can hear in our launch compilation, we have scouted out artists who are making some of the weirdest mutations of house, techno, trap, and everything in between. We have an upcoming EP from um.. [note, the artist name is literally “um..”] due out in May that is going to blow minds… I can’t wait for people to hear more of what these guys are making.”

The April 3rd launch event will feature sets from PPLPRSN and Ethan Glass, both making their NYC debut, a live performance from Father Dude, and sets from residents Subset and Brent Tactic.