Members Only was formed in 2009 by David Pomeranz, Rob Milliron, Jeff Lawrence and Louis Bernsten as a unique concept of anti-promotion. After years struggling independently as promoters and performers in the Seattle hip hop scene the MO Founders came together when faced with the opportunity to throw an all night all ages all illegal party at one of Seattle’s most infamous DIY venues.

The concept was simple, no longer using bands as the draw is it possible to sell out venues based solely on the name of the night? After several packed to the gills rockers the answer was a resounding yes. From the goodwill brought forth by those parties Members Only began to set their sights higher, looking to make a broader impact in Seattle’s bubbling underground.

Pomz was approached by State of the Artist’s Parker Joe about Members Only helping to push the new project that the group was working on. Never satisfied doing things half way the decision was made to not only promote the new record but to form a label and be involved in every aspect of the process. Now officially operating as a record label Pomz went about acquiring limited rights to the underground sensation “Magnetic Blackness” a spirited collaboration between Champagne Champagne and Thee Satisfaction. After recording the stellar B-Side Bird Lives! The songs were packaged and released on 7” vinyl marking the first release by Members Only and a truly memorable moment in Seattle hip hop history.

Moving forward the founders learned they could not run a label and a promotion company by themselves and began to assemble an all star team of supporting players. The first addition was co-owner and web content editor Will Johnsen an avid journalist known for insightful interviews and keen observations on hip hop. Next was press liaison Jonathon Cunningham former Music Editor of the Seattle Weekly and well known freelance writer for many different periodicals and websites. A&R rep Parker Joe was brought on as a key member of the hip hop scene to better establish relationships between local musicians and Members Only as well as being the production manager for all Members Only projects. Master engineer and producer Julian “Sebino” Prindle along with Parker Joe is one of the key architects in creating the Members Only sound as he has mixed and mastered all of the company’s releases to date.

In 2011 expect a slew of new releases from MO as they prepare for their biggest year yet. In addition to new music from State of the Artist be on the look out for the self titled release from the newest MO signees Hi-Life Soundsystem, the new remix project from Viper Creek Club, and a ridiculous collaboration between TH of SOTA and Tay Sean of Cloud Nice.

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