There are a lot of misconceptions about the life of a musician. The old rock star image of bright lights, fast living and traveling with an entourage is almost patently false. Most musicians have day jobs –- and not just to pay the bills. Jobs provide new challenges, personal fulfillment and, yes, some rent or gas money. And usually when somebody is writing a new record or scheduling a tour, they have to balance that with their job.
How an artist spends their time by day will influence the creative process at night. In Don’t Quit Your Day Job, Scene Point Blank looks at how musicians split their time, and how their careers influence their music –- or, sometimes –- how their music provides escape.
In this edition, we chat with Brian Amalfitano of Deaf Club to discuss opening The Midnight Hour record store (Covina, CA) in a post-vaccine environment, and how he balances that with making music.
Scene Point Blank: First, can you share a bit about your job title and background? As you mentioned before the interview, you recently opened a record store -- it's not the store's first location, but it's the first where you're an owner. What led up to ownership (did you work in another location previously)? How did you personally get involved with the store and this specific role?
Brian Amalfitano: I am the co-owner of The Midnight Hour Records (Along with my brothers Adrian & Sergio and my sister in-law Alyssa) in Covina, CA. It’s a sibling store to the original location in San Fernando. The Midnight Hour has been an idea in the works for about 5 years before the first location. Starting off as a vinyl only soul club that grew into pop-ups and eventually a brick and mortar.
After the pandemic prevented us from touring with Deaf Club and ACXDC (which I was also a former member of) my brother, Sergio, opened up a record store to stay involved with music and the community. After the store's proof of concept we decided to replicate it in the neighborhood where we grew up. (There seemed to be a lot of people coming from the San Gabriel Valley, inland empire, and other surrounding areas. They would ask if there were thoughts of opening a closer location to them.).
Scene Point Blank: What is your general career path up 'til this point?
Brian Amalfitano: I had previously worked in graphic design, photography for clubs and events, playing in cover bands, etc. all as a means to support my music. I’ve played in bands for the past 20+ years so I always just saw jobs as a means to play music and tour. It just seemed like the right choice to be my own boss and still be part of the music world.
Scene Point Blank: Is there such a thing as an "average day"? If so, what is it like?
Brian Amalfitano: There is the typical daily routine stuff that needs to get done. We try to engage our followers on social media to show them the new stock, place orders for the newest records coming out and the classic records we love. We try to curate as much as possible since we are small and can’t have a million titles in stock. So we pick the things that represent us. From punk to rock en español to hip-hop. But being a small business owner sometimes means nothing is typical. You have to wear a lot of hats to keep things from falling behind such as pickup, delivering, ordering, researching, making merchandise, graphic design, cleaning and all the in-between.
Scene Point Blank: When did you first become serious about being a musician and how did you connect the dots from that point to co-owning the store?
Brian Amalfitano: I think always felt serious about music. It gave me a creative outlet. It allowed me to connect with others. It helped form my politics. I think as a musician I also felt that I wanted others to have a safe space like I had with music. A record store shouldn’t be elitist, or exclusive. We want to have the community involved, we want them to feel like this is theirs as well. We want to provide a safe space.
Scene Point Blank: All the stores are owned between you and your brothers. Is it a franchise model or how much of your own stamp are you putting on the Covina location?
Brian Amalfitano: We do consider the store less of a franchise and more of a lifestyle for music “lifers” like us. Both stores share a good amount of musical crossover but each store is unique in that all of us have our own tastes as well. We shared a lot of music growing up but also carved out our own love for things. So in that respect the stores stock some different things. There's enough space for each of us to be represented.
Scene Point Blank: It sounds like the store is well-rounded, style-wise, for the local community (instead of just selling your own records and your friends'). How do you describe the store's style?
Brian Amalfitano: It’s a bit nostalgic for us. We grew up with a lot of oldies, Latin culture, hip-hop, cholos and punks. Backyard gigs and multiculturalism. We grew up for a time in Argentina too so we listen to a lot of Rock En Español and we try to represent everyone who felt “different” or was other’d by society. We are the children of immigrants and we had a different upbringing than most folks. But we feel like San Gabriel Valley and San Fernando Valley share a lot in common due to the Latin culture and distance from LA. We carved out our own niches before we could drive. Growing up in punk and being informed by that ethos we recognize and try to support independent music, labels, artists, and locals as much as possible. DIY is a very deeply ingrained attitude within us.
Scene Point Blank: Has it led to any awkward conversations where a friend's band begs for an endcap or in-store performance when they might not be the best business decision?
Brian Amalfitano: Honestly our friends are all so talented and involved with the music they create that I don’t think it would be an issue. They understand we support the community but it doesn’t mean hand outs and a free place for them to do what they may. There’s a mutual respect with each other. We would love to have bands start playing [and] it’s part of the goal ultimately. Sergio’s San Fernando location just expanded to a new location that is retail and venue space. If all goes according to plan the SGV location will be following suit as soon as possible.
Scene Point Blank: It looks like your store opened as the vaccine was rolling out. Did COVID delay plans for your store, or inspire it (because you had time to reflect or plan)?
Brian Amalfitano: We sort of caught it towards the end. I think it actually allowed us to open without pressure. Our landlords were understanding that this wasn’t a ten year lease or something. If it would have been last year at the beginning, we may not exist. We were able to stay home and save money to invest in something for our future. Because we weren’t out touring and spending money and going to concerts or eating out or going to movies etc. Being a musician doesn’t necessarily come with a good health insurance policy. Thankfully the community showed their full support during these tough times for everyone.
Scene Point Blank: Does the job influence how Deaf Club operates -- meaning, do you have to tour at a certain time of year to fit with the store's schedule, or does it affect how you write, rehearse or record?
Brian Amalfitano: It hasn’t affected Deaf Club at all really. We are all in different parts of the US at the moment due to COVID. But I can typically write music at the store and I can tour as much as I’d like because my brothers will cover me and vice versa. In general the pandemic is the only thing that slowed us down. But Deaf Club kept really active with writing and recording and music videos. I also schedule at our rehearsal studio so its easy to move things around.
Scene Point Blank: I imagine you're constantly discovering new music through the job. Do you think it directly influences your songwriting?
Brian Amalfitano: Absolutely. Probably in ways I don’t even realize. Unconsciously I’m sure things have seeped Into my writing.
Scene Point Blank: Are there any examples of this (drawing influence) on the new record that you could point out?
Brian Amalfitano: I’m sure I’ve listened to Metz’s Atlas Vending a million times. Also anything by Tropical Fuck Storm. Label mates Silent have a great new record. They influence the vibes of songs for sure. Or sounds in my head. They get put through the grinder and come out the other side a Deaf Club song but, by the time everyone adds their touch it, it becomes a new thing entirely. Which is fine by me.
Scene Point Blank: How often does your own music come up in the job -- either with co-workers, potential hires, or customers?
Brian Amalfitano: Not very often. I mean people have come in and bought our bands records or asked when we will play again. But they’re not like uber fans that hang out all day. We are accessible people. But they also don’t bring it up randomly. We just end up chatting about music and shows we’ve attended in general.
Scene Point Blank: What advice would you give to others who might be interested in a mom-and-pop shop or record store, but don't know where to start?
Brian Amalfitano: Involve your community. Help your community. Listen to your community. It’s not just about money.
It’s the same as any band: You have to love it and not expect it to just “happen” without putting in work. You have to offer a space people can inhabit with you so they care about it. Find a location you can grow in slowly. You have to imagine yourself there for x-amount of time and do it for the right reasons.
Scene Point Blank: What's your favorite record you've discovered at the store so far -- either for its sound, packaging or anything else that made it jump out?
Brian Amalfitano: I’ve been collecting a lot of records from my youth. I like seeing those come through: Queen Latifah, J Dilla, MF Doom, Linda Ronstadt’s “Canciones De Mi Padre”, Cafe Tacvba, Tupac … usually I have to buy an extra copy for myself now. It’s not the best idea to own a record store when you’re a record addict.
Locations:
The Midnight Hour Records
668 Shoppers Lane
Covina, CA 91723
@midnighthour_sgv
(New Location)
1101 San Fernando Road
San Fernando, 91340
@midnighthour_sfv
