About
Øssi Wika is a Norwegian guitarist, composer, and music producer, blending hard rock and metal with progressive elements. After two decades in digital media and EdTech, he’s reigniting his music career and founding Soundlib.io, an artist-driven production music library. Known for his work in digital learning platforms and a background in Musicology, Øssi is releasing a collection of unreleased tracks from his early years, bringing his distinctive sound back into the spotlight.
Biography (longer version)
Øystein «Øssi» Wika, a guitarist, composer, and music producer from Norway, combines hard rock and metal with a progressive touch. Born in Aurskog-Høland in 1968 and raised in Mosjøen, Øssi grew up with a deep love for music, nurtured by his parents, both music teachers. Starting with classical piano, he soon transitioned to guitar, drawn to the powerful sounds of bands like AC/DC, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, and Queen. By the late 80s, Øssi was performing with local bands and writing his own music, paving the way for a solo career in guitar-focused rock.
While studying ethnomusicology at NTNU, Øssi worked to establishing himself as a recording artist. However, the high cost of studio time and shifting music industry trends led him to pivot toward the emerging world of digital media and technology. Over two decades, he became a pioneer in Norway’s multimedia and EdTech sectors—developing educational platforms, shaping digital learning experiences, and founding his own firm, WIKA Media.
Though music remained close, Øssi fully re-entered the field in 2011, revamping his home studio and recording extensively. Now, he’s revisiting his archives, planning new releases of compositions that capture his creative peak. Through Soundlib.io, his artist-driven production library, Øssi aims to bridge his tech expertise and love for music, creating sync-licensable music for a wide range of uses.
In addition to founding WIKA Media, his digital media firm, Øssi’s unique background in music and technology continues to shape his work, pushing the boundaries for independent artists in today’s digital landscape.
Music Career Highlights
Bands & Projects:
- 2020 – Present: Founder and composer at the artist-driven production music library Soundlib.io. Releasing past instrumental music and preparing releases for bands formed between 1988 and 1994.
- 1988 – 1994: Guitarist in Madboy, Electric Saints, and Sonic Cult.
- 1982 – 1987: Guitarist for Meanstreet.
Education
- 2001-2003: Media Studies, University of Oslo (UiO)
- 1990-1994: Ethnomusicology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
Wika
