Review Fix chats with guitarist Anthony Tardino, who discusses his origin in music, goals for 2021 and his new album, Adventures.
Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?
Anthony Tardino: Middle School Band! I started playing the flute in the 8th grade and the middle school band teacher actually moved to the high school the same year I started in high school. He taught me everything I know! That and also my mom getting me a guitar on my 14th birthday.
Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?
Tardino: It really just depends on what I’m working on. I generally start with a guitar riff or series of notes I think sounds cool and start building it out from there. Actually, in most of my songs the first guitars you hear are probably right where I started!
What inspires you?
Much like my creative process my music is like a chronology of my life in some ways. I’m inspired by everything that happens. A lot of my songs are inspired by my fiancé, the video games I’m playing, music I’m listening to, or an intense emotion I’m feeling good or bad.
Review Fix: What does music mean to you?
Tardino: Music is a creative outlet for me but also part of my legacy. It’s a way I can make a positive impact in somebody else’s life just as it has mine. It’s a part of giving back and showing my progress not only as a person but as a musician to the world and myself.
Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?
Tardino: My close friend Jeff has described my sound as “Progressive metal but also video games” and my brother says it sounds like an anime intro. I am definitely influenced by the likes of Nobuo Uematsu, Yasunori Mitsua, and Yoko Shimomura so I totally get it! Probably my two favorite descriptions I’ve heard yet.
Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?
Tardino: It’s very similar, I hope! I focus a lot on tight and clean playing. I do a lot of headbanging and love to stand on stage risers. For me, it really means the world to see people singing along and having fun. I try to have the most energy at the show!
What inspired your upcoming album?
Firstly, my fiancé. She self-produced her own book in 2020 and so I thought “I should do that!” That got me started on the process.
Secondly, my life! Like I said before my songs are all inspired by my own experiences. Adventures is actually 6 demos that I have written in the last 10 years. I went back and tried to pick the best ones! The next single “The World of Ruin” was initially inspired by my replaying of Final Fantasy 6.
Review Fix: What are your goals for 2021?
Tardino: For 2021 I want to release a couple singles, continue to put out cool covers of video game music, and work with amazing musicians.
What’s next? Next up is The World of Ruin! A dark and gritty song that will leave you feeling like you need a confessional afterwards. Initially I was going to cut this one because I was getting writer’s block then the whole thing fell so perfectly together. I’m really excited to share this with everyone! It has slowly but surely grown into one of my favorite children.
Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?
Tardino: Please above all things check out my current single Concrete Nosedive, subscribe to my channel, and follow my socials so you don’t miss The World of Ruin!
I also post video game recreations which I will be uploading periodically. Two I have coming up are Let the Battles Begin from Final Fantasy 7 and Tension Rising from Kingdom Hearts!
Thank you to my fiancé, friends, and family for supporting and inspiring me to pursue my passions.
Photo By Meg McCauley
Artwork by Yumi Redifer
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