The Obelisk Questionnaire: Emilio Rizzo of Fuzznaut
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Emilio Rizzo of Fuzznaut
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
I compose and perform instrumental music that is heavy and meditative. I have always played in bands growing up. Due to life constraints it wasn’t always possible to start a band, but I had begun seeing other solo artists and it inspired me to try solo instrumental music. I had also started becoming infatuated with guitar gear especially guitars and pedals. One rule I gave to myself was that if I were to spend money on this, I would also have to make something with it.
At first the idea was to program drums and do a one man band sort of thing, but I did not find that inspiring so I stuck with guitar. This ended up being the blueprint of everything that came after, and with limiting certain things I have to maximize other things. It all sounds like music, and I like how it challenges the listener to first question “ok so it’s just a guitar”.
Describe your first musical memory.
I was about 5-6 years old watching MTV (When they used to show music videos), and Collective Soul “Shine” was my favorite song. It had a great guitar riff and I would play the tennis racket in lieu of an air guitar. I just loved how it sounded. The melody was catchy enough, but something about that guitar riff just sat right.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
I have two answers for this. First, was when I played my first show post-covid. I had a sense of how temporary all of this was and made a conscious effort to savor it. It was a cathartic performance and I felt a new connection with myself, the stage and the audience that was pretty indescribable. All I know is it flowed and is on of the reasons I work so hard is to capture that.
Second, a pleasant surprise is that people have reached out to me via social media, or at shows. Stating their music was influenced by mine, send me over there music, or I saw what you are doing and now I am starting my own solo project. It is an amazing feeling to inspire others.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
I took some time to think about this one. A big one for me is the idea of if I were to play music it would have to be in a band. By that time I just finished grad school and had a 9-5 job and didn’t see much future playing music. It wasn’t until I started seeing heard demos on YouTube and getting into drone metal specifically Dylan Carlson’s solo record “Conquistador”. That showed me a type of solo instrumental artist that I wanted to be. Despite being one guitar in most of these cases there was still so much music being created. It was when this clicked I was able to begin crafting what is now Fuzznaut.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
To me it leads to evolution, continued learning, and honing what you do. It’s not like you’re shooting for perfection (nothing can ever be and if it is its fleeting at best). In all of my pursuits as Fuzznaut when it comes to writing, social media, merch design, video editing, etc. I am always learning something, and then learning how to do it better. At the end of all this it will hopefully resonate with others and then can inspire something else new. It can be endless if you want it to be.
How do you define success?
Success to me is just living the life you want to live the best you possible can, given the circumstance and situation. Another thought in regard to art is getting as close as you can to your intended output, from vision to creation, which is rare but something I always attempt to do.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
Senseless aggression at a Social Distortion show. The band decided to play all ballads, fights would just start breaking out and people would be getting kicked out. Just too much negative energy and vibe killing when that happens. I get it if it were in the pit, but these were during the slower country stuff and it was so incongruent.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
I would love to design fuzz pedals. I have some ideas in my head but I have no electrical engineering skills. I had bought a pedal building kit once, but I never followed through and ended up selling it. If I could collaborate with someone who knows what they are doing like Earthquaker Devices did when with Wata from Boris, and SUNNO))). That would be a bucket list thing for me for sure.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
This question reminds me of a quote Buzz Osborne said “Art is Communication”. It sticks with me because for me it’s about communicating what can’t be said. Sometimes it’s just me saying to the world I exist and I can only articulate that with the music I make. A side effect of making that communication is also being able to connect with others.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
Finally snagging a PS5. I game casually and feel like it’s time to take the leap into next gen. It is a nice escape to wind down with a single player game and live in that world for a bit.
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https://fuzznaut.bandcamp.com/
