Emilio Scalzo
Behind a classic Fitzroy terrace facade, creative director and musician Emilio Scalzo lives with his wife Zoe Rubino and two personable pups in an inimitably put-together home.
Photography by Lara Cooper
Emilio Scalzo has a seemingly enviable life. By day he’s one half of creative marketing agency Antipasto Social Club, working with some of Melbourne’s best restaurants and bars, and by night he’s writing music and hanging with wife Zoë and their two dogs in a generously-sized Fitzroy terrace. Even more interesting then, to learn for years Emilio was the vocalist and guitarist for Melbourne punk band Reptiles, playing all over the world and winning fans for their distinctive “deathrok” sound.
Having lived with Zoë for close to eight years, Emilio’s spaces are refreshing eclectic and filled with character; treasures from their travels and artwork and objects created by clever friends. With personality in every corner, it’s no surprise he finds creative inspiration in his home.
Who are you? Tell us a little about yourself.
I run a creative marketing agency called Antipasto Social Club with my business partner Rob. Rob and I used to play in a band called Reptiles throughout our twenties. He played bass and I sung and played guitar. Although I haven’t been actively playing live for a couple of years, I have heaps of songs written which I’m planning to record by the end of the year.
Who else lives in this house?
I live with my wife Zoë and our two dogs, Captain the sausage dog and Tortellino the staffy. Zoë and I have been married for nearly three years but have lived together in this house for close to eight. Zoë has been working on a couple of projects, a skincare business which is about to launch, and a hospitality venue on Gertrude St in Fitzroy which will open early next year.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Espressos in bed whilst catching up on the news. If the dogs haven’t snuck in during the night we let them up once the alarm’s gone off. Second coffee at my favourite cafe, Burnside in Fitzroy, and then sport radio on the way to work in the car.
Our office is upstairs at one of our client’s venues, Leonardo’s Pizza Palace in Carlton. Lunch is often on Lygon St followed by yet another espresso. Did I tell you I’m Italian?
After a day either in the office or visiting clients, I usually meet Zoë on Gertrude Street to check on progress with the venue build. Dinner is followed by a tinkle on the guitar and food videos in bed.
What do you love about your home?
The house was built in 1860 so it’s got a lot of character and charm. The floorboards and carved wooden staircase are both original. The house was renovated by furniture designer Mark Tuckey and he did a great job. We’ve collected a lot of stuff over the years and we have a lot of the things we love on display. Even though it comes across as a bit eclectic, I think it gives the place a sense of warmth and comfort. My favourite thing would have to be having the open fireplace next to the bathtub.
Do you have any daily or weekly habits or rituals around music in your home?
We have a pretty extensive record collection and we do listen to records all the time. My brother Luca is a drummer and we jam together pretty regularly at my parents house where he has his kit is set up.
What spaces of your home do you play in?
I play guitar in the spare bedroom mainly. I’ve turned that room into my music room so I can shut the door behind me and turn the amp up a little without driving Zoë nuts.
Tell us about a time when playing guitar has positively impacted your life, or a highlight of your guitar ‘career’?
I played guitar in a touring band for many years. Guitars have always been a pivotal thing in my life. I’ve owned many guitars over the years and have had many positive, memorable experiences whilst holding a guitar.
I was playing a show in New York when Obama got re-elected. Someone side of stage told me that Obama had won between one of our songs and I announced it to the a very pro-Obama New York crowd to a huge applause. Then I managed to fumble my way through Star Spangled Banner on the guitar.
Do you feel like your taste in music has changed over the years?
Not really. I always find myself listening to my favourite albums. I’m quite stubborn when it comes to what I like and I haven’t really discovered anything new in recent times that has really struck me as much as some of my favourites did and continue to do.
You’re at a party and get corralled into playing your guitar for the crowd—what do you play? Do you have a go to song?
I’ve never been one to play other people’s songs. I actually don’t really know how to play many famous songs at all. Ever since I was a kid I wanted to write my own songs and that’s how I learned to play guitar, by learning the chords and singing my own melodies to them. So if I was forced to play in front of people at a party, I’d probably sing a song of mine called One By One. It’s a catchy country song with a story you can follow.
Tell us about your guitar—where did you get it and what do you love about it? What makes it special to you?
I’ve got a few guitars and love them all equally. There is one super special one, however. Occasionally, I would drag Zoë into my favourite guitar shop in Albert Park; they have so many beautiful vintage and rare guitars in there. I’d honestly spend all day in there if I could. One day I saw this thing hanging on the wall that looked like it had come from outer space, I’d never seen anything like it before. It’s a Fender Custom Shop La Cabronita Boracha, which is a reverse Jazzmaster with a Telecaster neck and a Gretsch pickup in it. It combined all of my favourite things in one and also looked bizarre, in a good way. Apparently it’s 1 of only 31 ever made. I had a play and it sounded amazing and fit me like a glove. I had some thinking to do. I called the store a couple of days later to tell them to hold it for me but they told me it had been sold. I was shattered. A couple of weeks later on my birthday, it turned out Zoë had been the buyer and the guitar was mine after all. Thanks Zoë!
What's an album you never get sick of?
The Pixies’ Doolittle. A masterpiece from start to finish.
And your favourite album cover?
I love the cover of Tom Waits’ album Rain Dogs. The photo captures so much raw expression and the coloured lettering over the black and white photo pops so nicely.
Any great resources, lessons, books or tips and tricks for learning guitar?
Everyone will generally tell you the same thing—learn the chords and go from there. I’m sure these days YouTube would be your best friend. When I was a kid everyone learnt ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ first, which was good because it taught you how to play with a bit of aggression. Just remember that it will be frustrating for quite a while but one day you’ll get everything working at the same time and it’ll come a lot easier from there.
What inspires your writing or influences your music composition?
Usually I’ll get a burst of inspiration when I’m blown away by a song or record. I always write music and hum a vocal melody first and then lyrics well afterwards. So usually it’s a chord progression that I hear that will inspire me to pick up the guitar. I find it far more difficult to become inspired when it comes to lyrics. I often find I really need to work quite hard in order to finally get a breakthrough when it comes to words. Then again, sometimes it takes no effort at all. It’s funny.
What keeps your musical spark alive?
I blare my car stereo speakers listening to my favourite records all the time. I’m prone to a bit of air guitar on the way home from work and the music has to be turned up loud.