We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Riccardo Barletta. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Riccardo below.

Riccardo, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Well, I’ve been doing music full-time since 2020, and it’s been quite a journey. My main focus is creating music for ads, TV, and film, which is often referred to as music for sync. However, I also occasionally collaborate directly with artists when their vision aligns with my expertise and skill set.

To be honest, it didn’t start as a full-time gig right from the beginning. Making a substantial income from sync music takes time, mainly because of how the TV and film industry operates. Once you create a song and sign it with sync agencies, they need some time to pitch it to various opportunities. Even after it’s been pitched for a while, it still needs to find the perfect show or ad that matches the song’s mood before you secure a license.

I often joke with my collaborators that any song we finish won’t bring in income for at least a year and a half to two years. It’s a waiting game, but it’s worth it when it pays off.

Interestingly, the turning point in my sync career was the year 2020, despite all its challenges. The lockdown during the pandemic forced me to hunker down and focus on creating music to pass the time. It turned out to be incredibly productive, and I managed to complete 250 songs that year. Little did I know; those songs would lay the foundation for future placements.

Looking back, I’d advise myself to be more intentional with the type of songs I worked on. At the start, I’d collaborate on almost anything with anyone just for the sake of making music. But as time went on, I realised the importance of having a reliable team around me and staying informed about the current music trends in shows and ads. After all, those are your potential clients, and creating music that aligns with their needs is crucial for success.

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

I was born in Italy but moved a lot as a family, living in Sweden, Thailand, and Scotland throughout my childhood. This unique upbringing instilled in me an international mindset that I believe deeply influences my work today. Music has always been my passion, starting from elementary school with the clarinet, evolving through the violin and sax in middle school, and finally embracing guitars, bass, and drums during my teenage years.

My journey into music production and recording began quite serendipitously. In high school, my band wanted to record some original music, which led me to discover the world of music production—a world I fell in love with instantly. What I bring to my clients is high-quality, highly licensable music that fits a wide array of uses. My focus on detail and originality sets my work apart; I strive to create music that feels like it comes from an artist, not just produced on an assembly line.

I’m particularly proud of my music being featured in major ad campaigns for brands like Apple Arcade, Hyundai, Motorola, and American Express, as well as networks such as CW, ABC, NBC, Netflix, and MTV. These achievements highlight the versatility and appeal of my music across various platforms and audiences.

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

My drive in music isn’t for wealth or fame; it’s purely out of love for sound and music. This passion is what I see as my life’s work and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. My goal is to explore soundscapes, create music that resonates, and contribute with to the storytelling of the brands I work with.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The thrill of hearing my music featured in a show or commercial never gets old. Every time I receive confirmation of a new usage, it brings the same rush of excitement as the very first time. Seeing my work ‘in the wild,’ and seeing how editors used it to complement visual storytelling is deeply rewarding and a constant source of motivation.

Contact Info:

• Website: riccardobarletta.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riki.production/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riccardo-barletta-379872135/

Image Credits
Anna Azarov