Have you ever felt the urge to groove to the R&B beats of your favorite skate videos, or perhaps cook dinner while being serenaded by the musical stylings of Strobeck’s Stallion? Well, it’s no longer just a dream! Gianluca Quagliano, the mastermind behind Skate Muzik, an NTS Radio show based in Milan, expertly curates the soundtracks of classic skate videos into captivating radio episodes. Each hour-long episode is a deep dive into a specific music genre, a notable video, or an influential artist within the skateboarding world, offering a unique auditory journey that can’t be found anywhere else.
The show has featured interviews with legends like Gino Iannucci and Patrick O’Dell, who share their perspectives on their music selections and personal favorites. Given Gianluca’s dedication to exploring and blending skate soundtracks, we were keen to understand the origins of his passion for the long-standing relationship between music and skateboarding.
Is there any artist featured in a skate video that you hope will never be used again?
Definitely Primus, after Pat Duffy’s part in Questionable. [laughs]
Do you believe that a song can ruin a skate video?
If a video part is outstanding, music can elevate it further. It can enhance the overall coolness. While it might not appeal to all viewers, a great part remains great. Music has the power to make a good skate video iconic. However, a bad song won’t diminish the skateboarding itself. You can still appreciate the skating, even if you have to turn the volume down slightly.
We often discuss music rights in skateboarding and how copyright laws prevent the recreation of those iconic 90s soundtracks. What are your thoughts on this?
I hold skateboarders in high regard. If you’re a skateboarder who loves it, you likely have great taste. We’ve always been ahead of the curve, setting trends for others. Therefore, it’s a chance for us to delve deeper and discover new music that will shape the future.
Since skate videos and clips are constantly being released, it’s understandable that people want to avoid using overplayed artists like Method Man. It’s a positive thing. Sometimes, you see YouTube comments asking, “What’s the song at 3:45?” Often, the filmmaker is secretive about the tracks, pushing viewers to do their own research and dig deeper. Many of these songs aren’t on major streaming platforms or might have very few listens on platforms like BandCamp, encouraging a sense of discovery.
So you appreciate that these music rights issues are pushing people to explore new music?
I do. I see myself as both a fan and a consumer, so I enjoy watching skate videos and discovering new sounds I haven’t encountered before. Some songs are easily found with Shazam, but others aren’t. I find that enjoyable.
“I think Courtney Love got Kurt Cobain killed. Also, Wu-Tang is forever.”
If you had to pick, what are your top 5 favorite artists?
I’m not great at top 5 lists, but today is the 30th anniversary of Illmatic, and I’ve been listening to Nas all day. Additionally, I have a tattoo with a verse from Fugazi’s “Shut the Door”. I believe Biggie’s flow remains unmatched, and I’m not a fan of rappers in skinny pants. I listen to a lot of jazz and particularly love Japanese jazz. I recently repurchased the Naked City-Torture Garden vinyl that I had lost. I also believe Courtney Love was responsible for Kurt Cobain’s death, and Wu-Tang is eternal. Is that an acceptable response?
Where does your love for Wu-Tang originate?
Wu-Tang is definitely one of my all-time favorites, especially their 90s era work. Growing up in Italy, I wanted to skate like Gino [Iannucci]. Gino skating to Wu-Tang at the time probably sparked my interest, and that’s why the Wu-Tang logo is still my phone’s screensaver. It also represents my respect for their movement and their golden age.
Wasn’t one of your first episodes about jazz and skateboarding?
Yes, the very first NTS show was live from the studio, and I opened with John Coltrane’s “Traneing In,” which was featured in Mark Gonzales’ part in Blind Video Days. At that time, I didn’t know Skate Muzik would become such a long-term project, so I wanted to feature the best tracks.
Why do you think everyone seems to believe they can be a DJ nowadays?
It’s easy to start DJing and get paid to play music, but that doesn’t guarantee you’ll be a good DJ. Just like buying a plane doesn’t make you a pilot. Some people don’t even love music or know much about it. They are just seeking “status” or wanting to be a DJ/influencer, which is pretty lame.
How did you first get involved with music?
My first job was with MTV. In Italy, skateboarding wasn’t a viable career option when I was searching for work, but music was. It was a way for me to be involved in the things I enjoyed. I worked at MTV for five years and then at the Italian National Radio for ten years. It all happened organically, and I’ve always been involved with skateboarding while pursuing music.
Milan’s skateboarding scene is thriving right now. What’s your perspective on this?
It’s well-deserved. I’m seeing local kids get noticed globally, and I’m eagerly awaiting Vince [Palmer] and Nils [Matjias] to turn pro. Twenty years ago, a skateboarding career from Italy was unthinkable. There were incredible skateboarders in Milan back then who could have turned pro today, but they weren’t featured in US videos or magazines. The scene is truly exciting now, and Milan is making great strides.
Why do you think certain artists become so popular and frequently used in skateboarding? For instance, why does skateboarding love Daniel Johnston?
I think Daniel Johnston was a genius. I don’t know much about his personal life, just his music and aesthetic that everyone sees. Skateboarders probably love his songs for the same reasons as anyone else. There’s a lot to be said about simplicity. Skateboarders have great taste in music and other things. If Daniel is a skater’s favorite, he deserves it. Skaters get his music.
“If you don’t have good music taste you’re probably not a good person [laughs].”
Your show feels like a deep dive into music, which is something I naturally do after hearing a song in skate videos. Who have you discovered through your show?
I have a deep understanding of genres like Jazz and artists like Fugazi, where I can list every song, but in some episodes, I’m making discoveries alongside the listener. This happened with Navy Blue [Sage Elsesser’s musical alias]. I didn’t know all the music he’d released, but I dug into his discography during the episode and learned about his work. Navy, in particular, doesn’t have tracks in skate videos. But the process remains the same. Even if I’m not deeply into an artist like Navy Blue, it’s still great to learn and discover. I only feature things on Skate Muzik that I think are cool.
The 90s are synonymous with rap in skateboarding, while the 80s are known for early punk. Do you think a specific genre pairs best with skateboarding?
If you can skate to a great jazz song, it usually makes for a great skate part. The combination of 90s hip-hop and skateboarding is also perfect. It’s powerful, smooth, and stylish. While many of my favorite skate parts feature different music types, I never tire of watching someone skate to jazz or hip-hop.
When I think of Jazz, I think of Gonz. His skating has a jazzy feel – spastic and natural. Do you believe that music can reflect someone’s personality?
Yes, I do. In some ways, if you don’t have good music taste, you’re likely not a good person [laughs].
Would you consider yourself more of a music nerd or a skate nerd?
Before starting the show, I never considered myself a connoisseur of anything specific. But doing this show has turned me into a nerd, which I mean in a positive way. I admire those who get deeply involved in what they do and want to learn more. That’s what has happened to me; I learn so much through this show. When I’m with my friends, we tend to talk more about skateboarding, but overall, I consider myself equally a nerd in both skateboarding and music.
Will skateboarders ever be as cool as rockstars?
I think they’ve always been cooler than rockstars. While there are ups and downs in the culture and some bullshit in the industry, I’ll always remain optimistic and protective of skateboarding culture. We are the rockstars.
Interview by: Ben Komins
Photos Courtesy of: Maurizio Annese
