Today we’d like to introduce you to Erik Steigen.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Erik. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
It all started with being accepted to Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. That was my ticket from Norway to the United States. I had an amazing time there and got a lot out of it, both on a creative and a business level. Creatively, I recorded my own music, performed in the top showcases, and sang in the gospel choir. On the business side, I studied legal aspects of the music industry, general business and entrepreneurship. While at Berklee, I won the Green Card lottery, which meant I had a 10-year work permit, which opened many doors. After graduation, I was accepted as a paid intern at MCA Records/Universal Music in Universal City (Los Angeles), which was the start of my LA adventure.
My next job was at a music entertainment law firm, where I was fortunate enough to work with clients such as Tom Petty, Counting Crows, Phoenix Pictures, and Artist Direct, the first major online merchandising platform for recording artists. I learned a lot there, and left as a music paralegal and moved into my next gig at the music department of a large business management firm. After 18 months, I took over as manager of the department and built it up to be one of the leading music publishing and royalties departments in Los Angeles. I spent ten years there and had the fortune of working directly with amazing artists and songwriters, such as Lionel Richie, Trevor Rabin from YES, Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys, Albert Hammond, Sr., Pearl Jam, Don Felder from The Eagles, Sheryl Crow, Blondie, and Motley Crue.
In 2012, I started my own company, USA Media Rights. My first client was Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame’r Dave Mason, who penned hits like “Feelin’ Alright” and was a founding member of the legendary band Traffic. I started taking an interest in Scandinavian talent, as well as African artists, and to date I have had the opportunity to work with some great songwriters, artists and music producers who have created hits for some of the leading artists of our time; Jason Derulo, Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato, Zara Larsson, Pitbull, Sean Paul, and many others. My business today is a mixture of various services to help people in the creative industries.
Has it been a smooth road?
Starting your own company is never smooth, is it? It was definitely tough in the beginning, and I was also going through a difficult divorce at the time and had to fight really hard to be able to see my son. So it was a lot at once. But, I had a foundation of knowledge and experience that enabled me to be of help to many, and that was how I built my company; one happy client at a time.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I think one of my greatest advantages is the broad and in-depth experience I have had in the entertainment industry. Today, I offer a range of services, including business management, artist management, and consulting. One rewarding aspect of my business is Royalty Hunter$, a service dedicated to track down and find unclaimed royalties for legacy artists. It is always great fun to be able to call up someone and tell them they have a five or 6-figure payment coming their way. I feel a little bit like a modern-day Robin Hood!
I enjoy fighting for my clients. When a client has been wronged, I will go to war for them because I know that they are right and have truth and justice on their side. I guess I have always wanted to fight for the little guy, and although my clients aren’t little, it still feels a bit like that when you have to go up against record labels and others who have not always acted with the best interest at heart for my clients.
Another aspect of the work I enjoy is finding solutions, thinking outside of the box, and helping my clients achieve what their goals are.
I think my enthusiasm and engagement sets me apart, as well as my knowledge and experience. In addition, I am very aware of the social struggles going on in our country, and I wholeheartedly support Black Lives Matter and the fight for justice and equality for all.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
For the entertainment industry, Los Angeles is the place to be. Most definitely. This is where it happens. Today, you don’t necessarily have to start out here, but you definitely have to come here and spend time here to network and collaborate with the leaders in the business. LA can be a tough place to be for many reasons, so for those not from here, I would recommend coming to LA when their career is already on the move up and they have something to show for it already, whether that be in music, acting, modeling, or otherwise.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.USAMediaRights.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usamediarights/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USAMediaRights
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/USAMediaRights
Image Credit:
Personal photo: Taken by Arne Ristesund. The other photos, I took.
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
