We were lucky to catch up with Gino Durante recently and have shared our conversation below.

Gino, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

In 2016 I started a travel documentary called “Drift Strangely.” The plan was to travel across all 50 states and collect a tattoo in each state, representing the time I spent there along with learning the culture and way of life lived in that spot. Traveling to 13 states already without a camera and only documenting it through photos, I had to do them all over and then go from there. I plastered the Logo on both sides of my van along with the back doors saying “Drift Strangely” and my instagram and YouTube handle. I filmed 5 states and then life caught up to me and I ended up in the hospital really sick. I spent a few months in the hospital and a few recovering and once I was fully recovered and ready to hit the road again, COVID happened… Not knowing when the world would go back to normal, I wanted to keep the dream alive so I started making merch with the Drift Strangely logo. Living in Florida allowed me to keep pumping out content through IG with some hype videos with Harleys, skateboarding and some cool Florida culture. When things started opening back up I had this bright idea to come up with a brother project called Drift and Dine. Using Drift Strangely as a platform now to sell merch, I also started using it to branch off and start side projects. Living in the second most traveled state in America I wanted to showcase mom and pop places to eat for tourist. Once things opened up and folks started traveling again I felt like it would be a great way to keep these businesses alive that struggled while the world was on hold. Drift Strangely is a project that has brought people together, it was thought up as a way for people to open their eyes to different cultures and not be so one sided. Knowing that everyone loves to eat, Drift and Dine was a way for people to sit with each other and discuss food and enjoy the culture. Theres projects are my heart and soul and I will forever be trying to bring people together through my creative content. We are all “Strangers” and them we become friends. Drift Strangely For Life.

Gino, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Gino aka Dirty Gino. I got into filming a creating content at a young age. I got a video camera for Christmas one year to film skateboarding and went crazy with it. 2016 I started a project called “Drift Strangely.” The page on instagram provides an outlet for rebels, outcasts, skaters, motorcycle enthusiasts, and for the people that just purely have a lust for life. I post content that is real, raw and uncut. I try to keep everything positive and fun for everyone that follows, watches or just is passing through. The thing that sets me apart from others is that I got the real deal charisma, I bring the hype to no matter what is going on. I take pride in the realness I share with others. I was potential follwers to know that Drift Strangely is a place where we all get along, its a brand that no matter who you are, if you’re wearing that shirt, hat, hoodie or have that sticker on your car, that were all friends. We are all “strangers” until we become friends.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is that late night message or comment that says “Hey man just want to let you know how much your videos make my day.” Its that comment or message that says “When I need a good laugh or to be entertained I come to this page. keep being you!”

“BE YOURSELF, EVERYONE ELSE IS TAKEN!”

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The only thing driving my creative journey is to UNBRAINWASH everyone. This might sound cliche hippy shit but my goal is to bring people together, its to keep people smiling, laughing and having fun. We shouldn’t be friend of fun, juust because we’re told to grow up doesn’t mean we have to. We need to all channel our inner child. Would the child in you be stoked on you right now or would he or she tell you that you stink, stick their tongues out and call you a dummy?! Enjoy every single day because were not guaranteed tomorrow. LIVE IT UP!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: driftstrangely
• Youtube: Drift Strangely