Ren’s Den needs your support

Ren’s Den was founded in February of 2023. Inspired by the local Albuquerque music scene, DIY ethics and local artists, Ren’s finally opened its doors on April 1st 2023.

The building is ran out of the famous “Christy Records” and “M.E.L. Music” building in the Barela’s neighborhood which has been a staple spot in Albuquerque’s music scene since 1966.

Originally opened by Dale Porter, later GG Hardin in 1974, then officially taken over by mariachi musician Eralico “Eric” and his partner Marcella Perez. The unit that Ren’s Den currently occupies was the famous music store known as “Cristy Records”. The record store was best known for its selection of Spanish and most importantly New Mexican music, including a recording studio in the unit next door to Ren’s, for important artists such as Al Hurricane.

In 2002, Eracilo Perez passed away. His partner, Marcella then closed the business. In 2008, she reopened Cristy as “M.E.L. Music” to keep local music alive. She passed away in 2019 and M.E.L Music officially closed its doors.

Ren’s was created without knowing any of the history behind this space but now knowing what it was, it’s not a surprise that this space will always have music inside its walls.

Everything made a full circle and that’s what makes Ren’s a special place. This place was meant for music.

Ren’s opens its doors to the community hosting events catering to musicians/ groups mostly in the realm of punk rock, heavy metal, goth, hardcore, noise, post-punk, grindcore, horror fanatics and anything in between for the small community of New Mexican misfits.

Ren’s prides itself in providing a safe place for all ages to enjoy underground local or traveling musicians, local and traveling artists through vendor events and hosting events that give back to the New Mexican community.

Within the time Ren’s has been open, we’ve lost very important music spaces such as La Chancla, Fly Honey Warehouse which was the life line for our local underground music scene.

Ren’s refuses to have its doors close in order to keep the local music scene alive and honor those who paved the way for us.

As of today, I am asking for the communities help. My name is Santana Barreda and I started Ren’s out of my love for music and wanting to make Ren’s and Albuquerque a place for bands and artists to display their arts. I feel like Albuquerque gets neglected and forgotten by the music world but there’s a community here who thrives and creates beautiful music. With the help of Aaron Barreda and Angelo (Anjo) Garcia, they have helped create this space something amazing. We are now recording music out of Ren’s and providing the space for musicians to practice at as well.

As of December 1st I am 8 months pregnant. I realize I cannot do this by myself and there is nothing wrong asking my community for help. I am unable to provide for Ren’s financially (bills) as much as I want to for the first quarter of the 2024 year due to me going on maternity leave to raise my son. I will be out of work from December 23rd, 2023- March 3rd, 2024.

I’m just asking if anyone has even a penny to spare, come to a show, needing a place to practice or a place to record music at, please do. We are flexible with rates regarding these services. I cannot let this place die. Albuquerque and the future generation of musicians needs this space more than I do and I cannot see it go.

Thanks