Review Fix Exclusive: Gasoline Tequila’s Massimo Lusardi Talks Origin in Music And More

Review Fix chats with Massimo Lusardi, founder of Gasoline Tequila, who discusses his origin in music and goals for the future.

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?

Massimo Lusardi: It was so unexpected – yet looking back at it, it was so inevitable. I hired Hernan Romero – a total stranger at the time – to play at my West Village restaurant. When he showed up we immediately hit it off, talking music and guitar. He refused to play unless I went home and grabbed by guitar to sit in with him. I was horrified. I was reluctant as I’d never played guitar in front of any type of crowd. 

I’m thankful I did, something inside of me was unlocked that night and ever since then music has become an extension of myself.

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Lusardi: A lot of it begins with allowing myself to feel. Recognizing past or present feelings, or what is happening around me, and then finding the most sincere way to express that through the evocative language of guitar. 

When I play guitar at home I’ll often record myself with voice notes on my iPhone. When I forget that I’m recording myself is when the best stuff comes out. Then I’ll go back and listen days, sometimes months later, and when something still resonates I’ll develop it further. 

Review Fix: What inspires you?

Lusardi: When someone is undeniably authentic through a creative medium, welcoming the vulnerability that comes along with sharing it with others. When it’s sincere, it’s felt.

Review Fix: What does music mean to you?

Lusardi: When I write or play music it’s usually a release. When I listen to music it impacts the mood I’m in – that’s incredibly powerful if you think about it. Music has given me so much, since as far back as I can remember, so I will always be in great debt to it. 

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

Lusardi: I have a tongue-in-cheek response and describe it as “Indie Flamenco Rock” because it casts such a wide net. I stay away from a specific category – I never liked putting things in one box. I’m influenced by various genres that I put my own spin on, and I especially enjoy presenting something melancholic in a more upbeat way. I’m not crazy about categorizing something because when you do, you have to respect certain rules – and I don’t. It’s the kind of music that defies generalization, but if you need generalization its “Indie Flamenco Rock” – yet to me it’s just honest music. It’s how the soul sounds. 

Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?

Lusardi: The live shows are intentionally loose. There’s an outline that is followed and is then tailored to the energy of the room.

Both the live shows and studio works share a special, almost contradictory balance of selfishness and selflessness. I feel like I’m playing first and foremost for myself – something I’d play even if nobody was listening – and then from that state of mind I feed off the energy of the room.

Review Fix: What inspired your latest single?

Lusardi: I wanted to create a sound that paints the visuals of a memorable nigh – one fueled by seduction or revelry – where you wake up thinking “what the f*ck happened?”. 

Review Fix: What are your goals for the rest of 2020?

Lusardi: 2020 had a lot of exciting things in the pipeline, so my goals are to put those pieces of the puzzle back together. I’ll be opening another restaurant soon called â€˜Uva Next Door’, which is right next to ‘Uva’, my first restaurant. I also can’t wait to resurface the Gasoline Tequila Experiences that were planned both here in NYC and elsewhere when the climate allows. Those are one-off experiences for the creative class, combining food, music, art and performance. The past few months have really allowed me to reflect on how special those evenings are. I’ve also started a coffee label called Have A Nice Day with some friends that will officially roll out next month after a great response during our soft-launch.

Review Fix: What’s next?

Lusardi: Musically, there will be more music released soon, including songs created during quarantine. I’m actually more excited than ever to release music that was recorded in my bedroom, with basic recording equipment because of the lockdown, without any sound engineers or any of the usual things that come with studio sessions.

I’ll also be bringing to life more t-shirt designs from the lifestyle part of the Gasoline Tequila project… but I’ll save that for another interview ;)

Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add? 

Lusardi: Art is not a competition – especially music. If you spend all your time looking at how others do things – and how many followers and streams one has, etc – you’ll never produce something that’s truly you, and that would be a great loss.