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, Wika 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, Wika 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 and Queen. By the late 80s, Wika was performing with local bands and writing his own music, paving the way for a solo career in guitar-focused rock.
Wika pursued Musicology at NTNU and, after forming an instrumental trio in 1990, was set on a path to establish himself as a recording artist. High studio costs, however, led him to explore digital media, becoming a pioneer in Norway’s multimedia scene. His EdTech work culminated in several major projects, including the application system for Norway's National Tests in Mathematics and a platform for K12 placement tests.
Though music remained close, Wika 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, Wika 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, Wika’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
