Meet Sergio Amalfitano

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sergio Amalfitano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sergio, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It was a natural progression from what I had previously been doing. We started as pop ups at vinyl only dj nights selling our records and merchandise that we silkscreened. Eventually we wanted a physical location to just do this all the time!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We’re a record store and venue centering community over commodity with a focus on social justice. We regularly have concerts, benefits, pop up vendor events, community based organizational gatherings, local history pop up and walks, movie nights, art/photography galleries and more within our doors.

We’ve combined aspects of things we’ve done all our lives (live music, activism, historical interest, etc) into one space and it’s been welcomed by many but not all. There’s been a lot of push back from right wing elements and public officials.

Ultimately we just want to exist as a third space/ alternative gathering space for the entire community to express themselves and support each others expressions. We want to be of service to the underserved and marginalized.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I tend to function off lists so I’d probably take them to the following San Fernando Valley centric places:

Vegan friendly food joints
El Cocinero
Good China
Lams Thai
Bodevi Wine and Espresso Bar
Hugos Restaurant
Prince Street Pizza
Garden Wok
Tony’s Darts Away

Things to do
Shopping off Ventura in Studio City
Shopping in downtown San Fernando Mall
Visit the Lopez Adobe
Shop in Montrose (Lost Books)
Go bowling at Montrose Bowl
Lake Balboa Japanese Garden
Hangout in downtown Burbank
Take a day trip to Fillmore and Carpintería

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Cry Baby’s Rodeo (my wife and literal neighboring business who always encouraged me to grow and try new things and sacrificed to move us forward).

Taylor Young and The Pit Recording Studio. An absolute pillar of the music community that has always offered help and guidance.

1984 Vintage and Horror. Real caring leaders of our community who also were a part of the beginnings of this project when we were simply djing events.

Website: midnighthourrecords.com

Instagram: @midnighthour_sfv

Image Credits
Sergio Amalfitano