Erik Steigen
Photo: Arne Ristesund (BA)
About
ERIK A. H. STEIGEN is a serial entrepreneur, talent manager and consultant based in Los Angeles, California. His businesses include Onward Talent Management ™, SoCal Records ™, Biz In LA ™ and USA Media Rights ®.
Prior to launching USA Media Rights ® in 2012, Erik spent 8 years in charge of the music publishing and royalties department at a large business management firm in LA after honing his negotiation and contractual skills as a legal assistant and music paralegal at an entertainment law firm for five years. He started his LA career in 1996 at MCA Records (Universal Music Group) in the recording administration department.
For over two decades, Erik administered music catalogs and procured film and TV placements of music for a long list of iconic songwriters, composers and artists, including Lionel Richie, Brian Wilson, Don Felder (of The Eagles), Trevor Rabin (of Yes), John Waite, Sheila E., Albert Hammond and Dave Mason. He has supervised royalty collections and royalty accounting for artists and record labels such as Pearl Jam, Lenny Kravitz, Blu Cantrell, Maroon 5, Grouplove, Motley Crue, New West Records, Blondie, Side One Dummy Records, and MySpace Records.
In addition to overseeing and preparing financial due diligence and the "books" for sales of high-value entertainment assets ranging in sales price from $1.5MM to $29MM, Erik also worked on the legal due diligence in connection with the Initial Public Offering for a groundbreaking online music merchandising company.
Erik Steigen was born and raised in Norway. He came to the United States to study music and music business at the distinguished Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. During his time there, he was selected for the Reverence Gospel Ensemble, Maggie Scott's Jazz Series, and the Singer's Showcase and Commencement Show. He also received the Outstanding Performer Award from the Vocal Department.
In 2001, Erik was asked to be a talent manager for the first time. The Norwegian rock band Hangface embarked on a U.S. trip that would result in them residing in Los Angeles for several years thereafter. During South By South West in Austin, TX in 2002, Erik secured legendary rock music engineer and producer Eddie Kramer to produce Hangface’s forthcoming album. A documentary about Hangface is currently in production and set for a 2025 premiere.
In 2007, Erik co-founded and ran an independent publishing administration company for 4 years to which he signed some great independent talent, as well as multi-platinum Grammy and Emmy-winners.
In 2014, two years after founding USA Media Rights ®, Erik began focusing more on Scandinavian and international talent, and took on several producers and artists from overseas as well as stateside. Erik also started expanding to other areas of entertainment, including film and TV.
In August 2018, Erik took the initiative to form NorCham LA, a non-profit Mutual Benefit Corporation, for which he serves as president. NorCham LA is the Norwegian chamber of commerce in Los Angeles affiliated with NorCham USA as one of several chapters.
In 2021, Erik branded his talent management services Onward Talent Management, which today manages talent in music, film, TV, fashion and sports.
In 2024, Erik was appointed the LA representative for the Norwegian performing rights organization TONO, representing over 40,000 songwriters and music publishers. TONO is the first Nordic PRO to appoint a representative in the United States.
Erik Steigen was a member of the national board of directors of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) from 2005 to 2008. He has been a guest speaker for the Entertainment Studies Division at UCLA, as well as a panelist and moderator on music industry panels and at conferences, including multiple times at DEW Expo. Erik has been a mentor at the ASCAPExpo. He was a board member of the Norwegian Church (St. Olav's Church) in San Pedro, CA from 2015 to 2021.
Erik spends as much time as possible with his son. He is a lifelong supporter of the English soccer team Liverpool Football Club and supports many local organizations, including the local LA public radio station KPCC, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, and Santa Monica Public Library, to name a few.
USA MEDIA RIGHTS ® is a proud member of ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and the National Music Publisher's Association.
OUR TEAM
United States (CALIFORNIA):
Erik Steigen
President & CEO
Mary M.
Publishing & Royalties
Jonah R.
PR / Marketing
EUROPE:
Kerry A.
Director, European Division (London)
WORD ON THE STREET
"Erik is providing an excellent service I didn't know I needed. His expertise gives him the ability to generate revenue I didn't know I had. He is persistent and focused but never annoying. It is a pleasure to work with him."
— Albhy Galuten, Grammy Award-winning record producer, songwriter, musician, orchestrator and conductor with 18 no. 1 singles.
“Erik Steigen and USA Media Rights were introduced to me in early 2012, and has since then been an integral part of my business team. Erik handles my royalties and publishing administration. He has successfully hunted down a nice chunk of royalties for me, he has sorted out copyright and PRO issues, and he helps in many other ways that go over and beyond the job description. He has clearly taken an interest in helping me in my career and made me feel like I am a priority to him and his company, which after decades in the music business has been really refreshing.”
— Dave Mason, songwriter of “Feelin’ Alright” and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee
"At a time when many in the industry were slow to understand the value of SoundExchange and the revenue stream we were collecting, Erik was a leader in ensuring that all of his clients were properly registered and collecting the royalties they were entitled to. Erik was an active supporter of our mission to bring greater value to artists and has been a great friend and ally. A true professional, and one of a handful that understands the complicated world of international royalty collection."
— John Simson, first Executive Director of SoundExchange (2001-2010)
"Through the years, I have enjoyed a business relationship with Erik. He is highly respected and his expertise and professionalism in music publishing and royalties financial management is essential to songwriters, music publishers and the industry at large."
— Barbara Cane, Vice President/General Manager, BMI
“I have been working with Erik Steigen and his team at USA Media Rights since 2014. Erik has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. His integrity and work ethic are exceptional and we have come to rely heavily upon him as part of our brain trust at Honua Music.”
— Ron Moss, President, Honua Music, LLC
