Meet The Danish Music Bizz: Rewan Riko, producer and songwriter at Brand New Records

SPOT is much more than concerts: Denmark has also got significant agents in various parts in the music business, and while we are counting down to the festival, we aim to present some of the people you can meet at SPOT in brief Q&As.

This time it is Rewan Riko from Brand New Records (producer, songwriter).

What do you work with (booking, management, publishing etc.)?

Publishing, songwriting, production, management, and I’m working on a startup music tech business venture, but I can say more about that at SPOT.

What is your business background (time in the business, education etc.)?

12 years as a musician, 8-10 years as a producer/writer. I’m self-taught in the business, but now, among other things, I teach at the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus.

What are the most important, exciting, well known, or interesting things in your portfolio?

I’ve worked with the Danish artist duo Nik & Jay since 2015, producing and co-writing their songs, and helped place them at number 1 on the charts with their songs “Magisk” and “Skytsengel”, the same goes for the DJ Morten Breum and I’ve worked with a lot of foreign artists who are wildly popular in the Middle East and Japan. I’ve co-written and produced a number 1 hit with Japanese artist Koda Kumi in Japan.

What is the most important thing to happen to Danish music in the last five years?

There’s a lot more transparency and cooperation – between labels, publishers, producers and artists. I think the music business and the industry have embraced a good part of openness and willingness to band together and face whatever comes from outside Denmark. And I think there’s a lot more focus on songwriting and production. Something which I’ve been working a great deal towards myself through my own project Aarhus Calling and working with the Academy of Music in Aarhus along other culture institutions.

What are the most important questions or pressing issues in the music business right now?

Salary for the songwriters is always something up for debate, their work terms and conditions. But a lot of things are always happening. My dream is, for the business to be fair for everyone – that at some point we could throw away all the old contracts and start from scratch with fair terms for everyone.

What are you going to do at SPOT/what are your goals for this year’s SPOT?

I’m just looking forward to being part of SPOT this year, and presenting Aarhus Calling, in cooperation with ROSA and SPOT, our songwriting event where upcoming Danish talent meets the established music business.

Apart from that, I’m also very excited about launching our new app, Tribute. It’s a concert reviewing app that puts a voice in the hands, and phones, of the audience. It’s going to be available for the first time during SPOT, and I’m looking very much forward to seeing how everyone reacts to it.

Which artists are you looking forward to seeing at SPOT this year?

Frida Sundemo is one I’m looking forward to. I know she’s great, because I’ve worked with a lot of artists who’ve also worked with her, and she has a great vocal. Also Kajsa Vala, local Aarhus girl, is a really interesting act. I’ve always enjoyed the very artistic performances, and she definitely fits the bill. Gurli is another girl, who I’ve actually taught commercial songwriting at the conservatory, so I’m truly curious about seeing what she’s become as an artist.