By Rita E. Stange
Daily Lobo
Wipe up those tears shed for the closing of Bow Wow Records, the University area now has a new addition to the music scene.
Inner City Records at 1417 Central NE, next to Route 66 Diner, specializes in catering to the needs of disc jockeys. Its inventory consists mostly of underground music such as house, techno and drum and bass.
The people behind this establishment are owners Braxton Harmon and Ernest Cervantes.
Cervantes saw the need for people to have a place to shop for good music. According to Cervantes, "It's everybody's shop."
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He feels that they offer music for all types of disc jockeys. He would like the community to become involved and help make it a store that satisfies everyone.
On the grand opening Saturday, Sept. 7, Christalyn Concha, also known as DJ Chrystalline, was spinning records in the window, where the DJ booth is set up.
As I entered the store, many friendly faces greeted me, including Cervantes who immediately offered assistance. The atmosphere was vibrant at this cozy shop. They featured other local DJs throughout the day. Cervantes said that overall the day was a success.
"From the moment we opened, DJs were at the door," he said. "The atmosphere and mood were right. The people that showed up were positive and supportive."
Cervantes and Harmon started the business with the help of friends and family, but said that their motivation is what really got them to where they are. When people saw their drive, they were willing to offer their support, financial or otherwise.
Cervantes has been involved in this sort of music lifestyle for quite a while. He is a huge music lover and has been playing music and dancing for eight years. In 1996, there was only basic techno and electronic music in Albuquerque.
Cervantes learned about the new house style of music in San Francisco. After seeing the effect San Francisco DJs had on people, he decided to start playing music as a DJ himself. He wanted to turn people onto this new type of music.
"In a sense I'm a person that caters to people musically," he said.
You can also catch Cervantes, known as DJ Fugee Rock, spinning records every Thursday during Sessions at the Attic at 3208 San Mateo, next to Bud Stones.
Being knowledgeable about what you're selling also means a great deal to Cervantes. "It's very important to be able to relate to the person looking for something," he said. "You must be educated. That's everything."
Right now the shop sells a variety of vinyl, which includes house, hip-hop, techno, drum and bass, trance, reggae, dance hall, break beats and R & B starting at about $14. They have two listening booths where people can sample the music before they buy it. The store will eventually sell DJ apparel and accessories.
Saturdays will be big days for Inner City Records. It will have local DJs, free food and refreshments and new shipments will arrive.
One thing that Cervantes would like to see happen is an increase in their customer base and a larger stock of inventory.
"I'd like to support the scene a lot more in every possible way," he said.
Inner City Records is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Call 244-0049 for more information.
