We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Diego Ratto (TTØRA) a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Diego , thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I realized my passion for a music career relatively late in life, I first knew that I wanted to pursue a career in music when I was 24 years old. Before that, I was working as a mechanical designer in Italy, but I knew deep down that it wasn’t the life I wanted. Although I had played electric guitar since age 12 and always dreamt of pursuing music professionally, I struggled to envision it as a viable career path. However, one day, I realized that I wanted to change my life and take a risk, so I mustered the courage to take a chance and pursue my dream. I decided to prepare for the entrance exams for the Music Conservatory of Alessandria, where I studied for a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Guitar. It was intimidating at first, as nobody in my working-class family had pursued higher education, but my determination and hard work paid off. I went on to earn not only a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Guitar but also a Bachelor of Music in Electronic Music. To further enhance my skills and experiences, I pursued a Master in Music Composition at KMH – Royal College of Music in Stockholm (Sweden) and have begun a PhD in Music Composition at UC Santa Barbara in 2021. Since making that pivotal decision at age 24, I have always followed my intuition and pursued what felt right for me. Although leaving a stable job right after the 2008 GFC was a daunting risk, I am grateful for the opportunities and achievements that have come my way as a result.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal is to consistently enhance my abilities and attain professional excellence to become the best composer I can be! Additionally, I strive to connect with as many listeners as possible through my music. My intent is not focused on achieving fame or fortune, but on providing an unforgettable experience to those who hear my compositions. To me, this alone represents a significant accomplishment.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I have a fun fact to share – I just sold my first NFT! Recently, I collaborated with Lele Gastini, an artist and friend from my hometown, on a video for an exhibition in Hong Kong organized by Art Innovation Gallery. Our work “Memento”, for which I curated the audio/sound design, aimed to increase awareness of women and freedom, specifically in regards to the recent situation in Iran. It was incredible to see it projected on a 70m (230ft) wide outdoor screen on the other side of the globe! It was exciting to witness firsthand the new possibilities available to artists. I believe that NFTs offer many more artists worldwide the chance to make a living from their art, which is crucial in the long run. Additionally, I hope that NFTs become another regular source of income for composers. As we receive little from streaming royalties, it would be beneficial for us to explore other means of making a living.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.diegoratto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ttora_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esa2to
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-ratto
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/0W8KfABCvh4

Image Credits
Feature photo: Jeff Liang Two photos with guitar: Davide Sciaky