Paul Velocity, DJ Sang-Do Lee, and Phil Anthony are Seattle House Mafia, three DJs from diverse backgrounds united by a shared passion. With his London roots, Paul brings an international flavor to the group. Sang-Do, born in Seoul and raised in Honolulu before settling in Seattle, embodies the Pacific Rim's cultural fusion. Phil, a Seattle native, provides the hometown perspective, having witnessed the scene's growth from its underground beginnings.

The group's origin story is as organic as the early rave scenes they cherish. What started as informal beach parties and rooftop gatherings in 2021 soon coalesced into a formal entity, born from a playful reference to the famous Swedish House Mafia.

"We formed through a love of house music," Paul recalls, highlighting the common denominator that often characterizes the most enduring collaborations in the music world.

Seattle's electronic music scene has come a long way since the early '90s when Phil remembers "break-ins" at empty warehouses, transforming them into impromptu dance havens. The city's journey from those guerrilla-style events to established club nights like "Lemon Twist" at The Weathered Wall showcases the scene's growth and legitimization over the decades.

The trio's collective experience spans this entire evolution. Seattle House Mafia have witnessed the transition from vinyl to digital, from word-of-mouth promotion to social media marketing, and from genre purism to the current embrace of eclectic styles.

"I play all sorts," Paul explains, "tech house mainly, but vocal house, piano house, a little bit of breaks, UK garage... but it's all still at its core house music."

This openness to various subgenres reflects a broader trend in Seattle's current electronic music landscape. As Sang-Do notes, "The new DJs and promoters, they're open to a wider variety." This diversity extends beyond musical styles to the people behind the decks and in the crowd. The scene has become more inclusive, with an increase in female promoters and DJs and greater representation of people of color and various gender identities.

The COVID-19 pandemic, while challenging for the music industry at large, sparked a renaissance of sorts for Seattle's electronic music scene. Phil observes, "I feel like there's a resurgence now. We have some amazingly talented DJs in Seattle and the surrounding area." The forced isolation led many, including the members of Seattle House Mafia, to explore new avenues like streaming on Twitch or starting podcasts, reinvigorating their passion and connecting with audiences in novel ways.

Their commitment to community building sets Seattle House Mafia apart in this revitalized scene. "I like being a matchmaker of friendship," Sang-Do says, emphasizing the importance of connections beyond just the music. This ethos extends to their approach as a group, with Phil noting, "I'm much more open to the idea of supporting the community and creating something that platforms other people and helps expose other people to larger audiences."

Their perspective on the current state of Seattle's electronic music scene is overwhelmingly positive. "I would almost argue, are we leading the electronic front from our corner of the world?" Sang-Do ponders, hinting at the potential for Seattle to become a major player in the global electronic music landscape.

As Seattle House Mafia continues to shape the city's electronic pulse, they remain mindful of the scene's roots while embracing its future. They represent a bridge between the nostalgic "good old days" of '90s rave culture and the exciting potential of the current era. In their hands, and in the hands of the new generation they're helping to nurture, Seattle's electronic music scene seems poised for a bright, bass-heavy future.

The story of Seattle House Mafia is more than just a tale of three DJs; it's a testament to the enduring power of electronic music to build communities, bridge generations, and keep evolving while staying true to its core. In the Emerald City, the beat goes on, and Seattle House Mafia is making sure it resonates far beyond the city limits.

Seattle House Mafia is a trio of Seattle-based House DJs, each having established success in the Pacific Northwest: DJ Sang-Do, Phil Anthony, and Paul Velocity

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