Primadonis, aka Tucker Scozzafava, is an electronic pop artist who crafts upbeat, synth-driven jams. Although Scozzafava has only released a few singles, each one has brought high-energy vibes thanks to fast drums, bright keyboard tones and a crooning vocal delivery. “Beach Party Tonight” combines synthwave and Talking Heads sounds; “Johnny Baseball” is perfect for a coming-of-age movie’s long-drive scene, and newest single “Primadonis Theme” is a triumphant dance-inducing epic. Learn more at www.instagram.com/primadonisofficial.
What was the first concert you attended?
I saw Blink-182 with my cousins in San Diego when I was 9. My cousins went to the same high school as them. I still stand by a few of the songs. Tom DeLonge used to be a crazy vocalist, but now he’s, like, a conspiracy alien person? His vocals on the chorus of “Stay Together for the Kids” were a big influence on me. I like their ballads. But most of their aura annoys me.
What was the first album you owned?
I remember having 808s and Heartbreak on my iPod Shuffle when I was 7. I would run around the neighborhood listening to it. I loved “Amazing.” I can’t remember the name of the artist who made that album, but I’m sure he turned out to be a nice, normal guy. He was a big influence on me.
What bands are you listening to right now?
I’ve gotten really into Prefab Sprout recently. They are really strange and catchy and scratch a weird itch in my brain for some reason. Their song “The King of Rock ’n’ Roll” was my top-streamed song last year. I am also currently obsessed with Mount Eerie. Also, this band called The Book Club. They have an EP called Friendo that I love a lot. Also, Adrianne Lenker.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
Everything is great. The public is the ultimate arbiter. Mass appeal is the highest form of art.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
Cocteau Twins.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
Recently, Bruce Springsteen. I think he’s actually kinda sick, ha ha, but I would never say that in a newspaper interview. He did a cover of Suicide’s “Dream Baby Dream” that I dissociated to for a full week recently. I’m mad I didn’t get cast in the upcoming biopic. Like, not even an audition.
What’s your favorite music venue?
The Holland Project is basically the only venue I can even think of right now, ha ha.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“A vegetarian since the invasion / she’d never seen the word ‘bombs.’ She’d never seen the word ‘bombs’ / blown up top 96-point Futura. She’d never seen an AK / in a yellowy Day-Glo display. A t-shirt so lovely / it turned all the history books grey,” Vampire Weekend, “Holiday,” randomly LOL.
What band or artist changed your life? How?
James Murphy showed me that it’s OK to be old and washed up and failing at life and still think you deserve to be an electronic-dance popstar.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
To Dan Bejar (Destroyer): Do you want to make a Watch the Throne-style album with me? We could switch off verses like Kanye and Jay-Z. I’ll make the beats. Lmk.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
So basic and corny, but “My Way” (Frank Sinatra). I recently sang it at my dad’s 60th birthday, and idk, something about being Italian. You wouldn’t understand …
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Beach House, Depression Cherry. It is by no means the most important album in the world, but it’s the most important album in my world.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
“Primadonis Theme,” Primadonis.