Found between the crevices of Downtown Fresno, two exclusive warehouses have become the underground trend for a vibrant, diverse music scene. Fueled by the collective efforts of Shallow End and Destructive Productions, these spaces bring unity in the community.
Local bands from Fresno and the Central Valley come together to create a rich palette of music from indie rock, hardcore rock, street punk and rave to hip-hop.
Works of art seen on the walls of Destruction Production were chosen by the owners themselves to showcase local talent. There are murals in the venue that local artists painted, capturing a visual canvas for a creative space.
These buried venues intertwine music and art to tie Fresno together under one umbrella of freedom and culture.
“It’s not easy, but my wife and I believe everyone in our community has a special power,” said Franco Villanueva, owner of Destructive Productions. “When we all combine good energy and our powers spark magic.”
Destructive Productions has an upcoming all ages event on Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Local punk bands Cöme Mierda, Biatywilk and Trivet will perform. The entry fee is $10, and CashApp is an accepted form of payment by the venue.
“We want it to be an outlet for local creatives to express any art medium without having to stress about the ‘business’ aspect of it so that they can have full creative freedom at low to no cost,” said Jo, who did not want to use her last name and is one of the owners of Shallow End.
For techno listeners, Shallow End is hosting “Acid Rain Raving” by ACD Jules, one of three DJs performing on Feb. 8 from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. The two additional DJs collaborating to host the rave are Madruga and Ambrizy, who are both Fresno State alumni. Admission is $10 a ticket.
More than just stages for musical expression, these warehouses are sanctuaries. They’re safe spaces where artists and locals can explore, experiment and connect. In a world often divided, the unity at these events extends beyond genres, the owners say.
“We aim to be as affordable as possible so that money is not something people have to worry about while curating an event and in the end, it translates into more genuine expression,” Jo said. “We’re basically out here trying to support struggling artists or people that want to escape corporate spaces.”
For those who appreciate Fresno’s culture, whether it may be music, art or community, these two event spaces are an eye-opener to some of the many hidden gems that are overlooked in the city.
Follow Shallow End and Destructive Productions on Instagram to catch dates and showings for local underground music.
Correction: In an earlier version of this story, an incorrect photo credit was published. The photo is courtesy of William Alexander.
