We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Riccardo Malpeli a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Riccardo , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I actually started with guitar when I was 11 years old — it was a Christmas gift from my parents, probably because they realized I wasn’t exactly destined for a career in soccer. So they gently nudged me toward music instead, and honestly, it was the first time I felt really wanted for something. I picked it up quickly, became the best guitar player in my school, and felt pretty confident. But once I got to high school and met other musicians who were more advanced, that confidence dipped. Instead of giving up, I pivoted. I noticed that barely anyone in my hometown played bass, so I figured, “Alright — I’ll be the best at that.” And it worked out. I still play guitar — I can read, play chords fast, even do solos — but I don’t consider myself a guitarist. Bass became my voice.
Later, moving to LA and studying at Musicians Institute and ICON Collective pushed everything further. I learned production, theory, and how to turn emotions into sound. If I could’ve sped up my journey, I’d say I should’ve trusted myself and started producing earlier. The key skills that helped me most? Consistency, emotional awareness, and the ability to adapt without losing my core. The biggest obstacles were never technical — they were mental: doubt, pressure, and feeling like I didn’t belong. But those struggles made me sharper, more grounded, and more intentional in both music and life.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Riccardo Malpeli, an Italian-born musician, bassist, and producer currently based in Los Angeles. My creative journey began with a guitar I got for Christmas when I was 11, and it quickly turned into a deeper calling. I eventually shifted to bass, realizing there was more space to express myself in that role — and over time, it became my identity. Bass is my instrument, but music is my language.
I’ve performed across the country with multiple bands, most recently with BUPPY, where we’ve blended genres like alt-pop, rock, and electronic into something new and emotionally raw. As a performer, I bring energy, connection, and intention to the stage. As a producer, I help translate feelings into sound, whether I’m building tracks for other artists or for my own solo work. I love working across genres — from EDM to rock to pop — and I think that genre fluidity is one of the things that sets me apart.
What I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come by being myself. I’m not a traditional virtuoso or someone with a huge team behind me. I’ve carved my own lane — learning from mistakes, collaborating with incredible creatives, and trusting my instincts. I’m not just here to make music that sounds good. I want to make music that feels true. I want fans to know that every sound I release is something I stand behind personally.
If there’s one message I try to share, it’s that you don’t need to fit into one box. Your story, your culture, your personality — those are strengths. I’ve made peace with not following a linear path, and I think that’s what gives my work depth.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is seeing a piece of music connect with someone on a deep level—when it goes beyond sound and becomes a feeling they carry with them. Whether it’s a live performance or a song they discover on streaming, knowing that something I created gave someone comfort, energy, or even just a moment of escape—that’s everything.
I also find reward in the creative process itself. Music is where I feel the most free and the most honest. It’s one of the only places in life where I don’t overthink. I just feel, react, and express. That kind of clarity is rare.
And as someone who moved from a small town in Italy to pursue music in Los Angeles, I don’t take that connection for granted. Every time someone tells me they love a bassline I played, or a lyric I wrote hit them in a certain way—it reminds me that I made the right choice chasing this path.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
There are a few books and documentaries that really shifted the way I approach creativity, business, and even life. The Creative Act by Rick Rubin helped me embrace the process over the outcome—it reminded me that being an artist is about listening to what’s already within and letting it out without ego. The Four Agreements taught me to not take things personally, which is huge in a field like this where rejection and misunderstanding are part of the game. The Secret introduced me to the power of belief and visualization, and that mindset has helped me stay grounded even when things feel uncertain.
One documentary that stuck with me is about water and frequency—I don’t remember the exact name, but it explained how water in our bodies can react to sound and emotion. That idea—that frequency, energy, and intention physically affect us—kind of blew my mind. It made me realize how powerful music really is, and how important it is to create from a place of truth.
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