summer conversations: freewillmaxxxing with enzo ronchi (a house, divine)

"Simulation" feels like it's poking at the same stuff this issue is poking at, the haze, the empty space, time passing weird. What were you actually writing about? Do you think the haze is something we can step out of or is it just the air now?

Truthfully, "Simulation" is about someone who is no longer a part of my life. The "haze" is here to stay. We just have to not let it consume our worlds. Go outside and talk to a stranger, buy a slice of pizza, go to a show, call that friend you haven't heard from in months, start a band (again).

What does freewillmaxxxing mean to you, if anything? What does taking your power back look like in your actual day to day?

Freewillmaxxxing is about not letting the haze consume, depersonalize or destroy you. Adulting is weird. Between working a 52 hour work week, balancing friends relationships and family can take a toll on you. I was out of the music scene for about four years, so I felt like I lost a sense of who I was. 2026, to me, is about taking back yourself. Making time to write that song, work on that riff, cleaning your band room up.

Young guy making music, working a service job, living in AC. What's the dumbest thing the world has tried to sell you about who you're supposed to be at this age, and how'd you clock it?

Society tends to gravitate us in skewed directions. Not everyone has that mortgage, the 401k, the new car. I'm gonna be 29 in November. I think your 20s are the years to define and build your future for sure, but it isn't the end of all ends when it comes to success. If I could go back and live with my parents longer than I actually did, I would do it in a heartbeat. There is not set age to move out, so do not let anyone tell you otherwise.

The clavicular thing, the looksmaxxing economy, the whole "optimize yourself into a product" mood. As a guy in his twenties, how much of that pressure do you actually feel, and where do you think it's coming from?

Clavicular has no soul. It's scary. I watched that Channel 5 interview way back when it dropped and it made me concerned for the future of men. I don't see myself as a product, I'm a human with flaws and imperfections. He's a damaged outcome of COVID-19. I don't really feel pressure to impress, I am who I am, dress how I dress and act how I act. Just don't be a sh*tty person.

Hard lesson you learned the messy way, and how you came out the other side?

I recently rewatched Harold & Maude, it's a fantastic black comedy about the relationship between a death obsessed young man and an elderly free spirited woman. There's a point where Maude tells Harold, "…here today, gone tomorrow, so don't get attached to things." I've tried to live by that the last few years. Don't rely on someone or others to save you, because you only have yourself. Time helps too.

One thing you do, on purpose, to keep yourself sane?

Drink a lot of ginger ale. Listen to my favorite band. Take myself out to dinner. Live a little.

Tell us about A House, Divine. How'd the band come together, what are you trying to do with it?

A House, Divine is our new band that's been quietly in the works for a year or so now. Collin, my roommate, and I have been in bands together throughout our 20s. He was the first friend I made when I was attending Atlantic Cape Community College over a decade ago. It started as an idea to get back into creating, and we vowed to make it reality again. Jamie, our drummer, also used to live with us for a period. Collin loves shoegaze, I love indie rock, Jamie loves emo. An interesting clash of sorts. Jordan, a good friend of Collin, helped us complete our lineup. We're looking forward to being a part of the thriving music scene in Atlantic City for as long as we decided to do this.

You've got the June 4 show at Anchor Rock coming up with Frankie Mermaid and Shark Earrings. How are you feeling about it, what should people expect?

It's the kind of thing where it won't really hit until we're all up on stage and I'm strumming the opening riff to our first song. I think the four of us are all just very happy to be playing in front of an audience again. We know something truly special is going to happen once we're up there, just between ourselves, playing our songs we've created while our friends and family watch. I expect sporadic surprises of some sorts with our set, but my disclaimer is to bring a fresh set of earplugs because it will be LOUD.

Anchor is one of the few real third spaces left in AC, an actual room where people show up to see each other and see a band, not to get squeezed for a dollar. What does a place like Anchor mean to you as a musician and as someone who lives here?

Anchor Rock Club is my favorite place in the whole world to me. I look forward to attending an event there after an 11 hour shift on weekends. It's all I look forward to when the week starts. It feels like home, whether it's the dj spinning, band playing, bartender taking care of me or any acquaintance and cool character I meet there. It's a special spot for local musicians like myself to have an outlet and community to play and support other artists. Growing up, towards the end of high school and early college, we didn't really have a music scene left in the city anymore. Anchor Rock Club made it possible to bring a new community together in a post pandemic world, and it's the best thing to happen to the city.

Show day routine. Where are you eating before, where are you going for drinks after, who's coming through?

It's been awhile since we've had a show day routine! I get off from the restaurant at 3pm. Loading the gear up in the cars and we'll head to the city! A White House Subs cheesesteak is my go to. American cheese, fried onions, mayo (yes mayo), cherry peppers on a toasted Atlantic City roll. Tony's Baltimore Grill is the afterparty spot always! Collin actually has family coming in from out of state to see us play our first show. It's really cute.

AC/South Jersey music scene, state of the union. What's working, what's missing, what would you change?

I think Anchor Rock Club has done an amazing job bringing in new artists into the city. I think it would be great to bring back artists that haven't played in the city in a while! I did just see Sharp Pins are playing here in June, I think that's really rad!

One local band or artist more people should be listening to?

I'm gonna be that guy and just say Geese. No one planted me to say that. I think they're a great addition to alternative music. It's a great blend of art rock and experimental rock that more people should be checking out. Their record Getting Killed has been one of my favorite releases in the last year. I think even for the non rock music fan, it's a band worth checking out.

Who are you listening to right now, local or not, doesn't matter?

Currently listening to "Third Side of the Moon" by Modest Mouse. It's the latest song released from their upcoming new album. They're one of my favorites and a bit of an inspiration behind our new band.

Controversial pizza opinion you'll die on?

Basic, but I don't like pineapple on pizza. You can come find and discuss that with me in person.

What's the move at Carluccio's, what should people actually be ordering?

Spicy Rigatoni with Chicken, absolutely delicious vodka pasta with spicy cream. The locals love it with crabmeat too! As for pizza, I'm really loving our Chicken Vodka Sicilian pie!

I'm always running into you at Tony's Baltimore Grill, what is it about that place? What do you love about it, what do you always order?

It's funny, I didn't start going to Tony's until about a year ago. I established a small solid group that frequents Angeloni's then heads straight to Tony's every weekend. We try to keep the tradition alive and well. Tony's Baltimore Grill is very Atlantic City. Pamela, our server there, is one of the hardest working women I've ever met in my life. A beautiful and kind soul that takes care of us like she's our mother. Our usual order is always sweet potato fries and a small crispy pepperoni pizza with sprinkled parm cheese, garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes. Perfection.

AC pizza power rankings, go.

1. Tony's Baltimore Grill

2. Pizza King

3. Atlantic Pizza

4. Fiesta Pizza

5. (rip South End)

   
   

Weirdest order or weirdest customer story you can share without getting fired?

This yuppie named Kyle from Margate threatened to come into the store and kill me over the phone. I forgot to give him a salad during a pickup. It was an honest mistake, but I hope our phone call solved all his problems.