We recently connected with Joachim Rygg and have shared our conversation below.
Joachim, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
Moving from a small town in little Norway to Los Angeles:
Back in Norway, after some early success with my music, I found myself standing on the edge of a decision that could change everything. My then girlfriend—she saw it before I did. “I know this might sound crazy,” she said one day, “but you HAVE to move to Los Angeles. Your music needs a bigger market than Norway’s five million people.” It hit me like a wave. Deep down, I knew she was right. I had been talking about LA for years, and after she heard my latest songs, she really gave me the push I needed. “Go,” she said. I couldn’t ignore it anymore. And just like that, the dream shifted into reality.
But LA wasn’t just a city—it was a mystery. Coming from a small town, my only real idea of it came from movies and books, the glittering promise of the American dream. Sure, I had toured the U.S. as a teenager, but this was different; it was a full-blown relocation and becoming a part of a different culture. This was pre-social media, pre-Instagram, and I had no guide. No Norwegians I knew had done this before, and the path was foggy, filled with unknowns. So the only solution was to take a short solo “research” trip to LA before moving there.
The city was as intimidating as it was alluring. I booked a cheap hotel, thinking I could get by, but it quickly became a nightmare when someone tried to break into my room. I spent over five hours sitting in complete silence, clutching a knife, with my bed pushed against the door, unsure if it would happen again. It was my first taste of the risks ahead, but I pushed forward, determined to make LA my new home.
Trying to establish some connections while researching LA, I had read about music conventions like ASCAP and TAXI, where you could submit your music to industry panels. It was my shot. A small indie label, Position Music, working out of an apartment at the time, showed some interest—it was enough to light a fire in me. I wasn’t quite there yet, but the door was cracked open, and as I flew back to Norway, watching LA disappear beneath the clouds, I began shaping my plan for what was next.
Back in Norway, the reality of the move set in. The logistics of moving to LA were overwhelming. Communication between the U.S. and Norway was not what it is today, and navigating the labyrinth of endless paperwork and visa requirements felt impossible. But I wasn’t going to give up. I found an LA based recording school that offered me a student visa for nine months. It wasn’t perfect, but it bought me time and another foot in the door. I thought I had it all figured out.
Then, just days before my flight and move to LA, disaster struck. My apartment application was denied at the last moment. The tiny apartment I had secured in Hollywood was gone, just like that, due to a verification issue between the banks in Norway and the U.S. It felt hopeless. I had no other housing options, and this was before the convenience of quickly booking an Airbnb. During my research trip to LA, I learned to avoid random cheap hotels where unsettling situations could occur—this was before review-based websites or smartphones existed. Staying in a safe hotel for an extended period would have quickly drained my budget. I knew no one in the city I was about to move to, and my options were running out. The clock was ticking, and everything seemed to be falling apart.
Two days before my flight, on a Thursday, I woke up to an email from the apartment management. Someone had canceled a similar tiny shoebox apartment, and it could be mine if I acted quickly. We scrambled to resolve the bank issues, and somehow, we made it work. I don’t remember exactly how, but it involved some highly creative maneuvering to provide the check verification they needed to trust me. My dream was back on track.
Landing at LAX, I felt a surge of energy unlike anything I’d experienced before. The one-hour taxi ride to my new apartment in Hollywood was a blur of excitement and anticipation. In contrast to the cold, gloomy Norway—now the palm trees, the warmth of the sun, the sheer enormity of it all—it felt like stepping into a dream. Just as we pulled up, a light blue BMW Z3 convertible rolled out of the garage, driven by a stunning girl my age, her hair blowing in the wind. For a second, I felt like I had walked into one of those Hollywood movies I grew up watching, right until the taxi driver slammed on the brakes and demanded an outrageous fare for reaching the destination. Reality set in fast. I paid, and there I was, alone on Larrabee Street in West Hollywood, with nothing but my luggage and some self-printed promo CDs. Exhausted and overwhelmed, I stood there, staring at the gated complex. My mind was racing—“What the hell are you doing, JR?”—wondering if I was delusional and if I’d made the biggest mistake of my life by leaving my girlfriend, job, friends, and family behind in Norway.
But something deep within me awakened. I took a breath, grounded myself, and realized—“this is it! You’re here. The very dream you once imagined is actually happening now!”
The gate to the apartment complex was locked, and I had to convince a resident to let me in. One person brushed me off, but the second finally held the door open for me and my luggage. It was a small victory, but it felt like I had climbed a mountain. That gate wasn’t just an entry—it was the doorway to my life in Los Angeles. This was no longer a distant dream; it had become real, a step into the unknown. As I crossed that threshold, I felt something stir inside me, almost as if I had done this before. Though at the time, I couldn’t have predicted the scale of what was to come or the impact of my decision to move to Los Angeles.
I had no idea that my music would one day be featured in thousands of major films and TV shows, gain hundreds of millions of spins on Spotify, or reach billions of views on TikTok. I never imagined I’d build my own recording studio in the heart of Hollywood, where some of the biggest labels, artists, and producers in the world would collaborate and work out of. Or that I’d have my own production room at an iconic place like Westlake Studios—where Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” was created. Beyond that, I would come to learn profound life lessons and meet a diverse group of people who reshaped my entire perspective, including some of my now closest friends—all as a result of diving headfirst into uncertainty, embracing risks, and facing moments that tested me to my core.
At that time, I couldn’t quite grasp where my willingness to embrace the unknown came from. But there was a subtle sense of freedom in it, because when you don’t know what life will bring, the unknown dynamics of circumstances create big opportunities to shape order out of chaos. If life becomes mechanical, most possibilities will disappear. The deepest wisdom I’ve gained from what became a 15 years long journey is that when risks arise, the only way forward is through sharpening your alertness and awareness —something you need to go out and learn on your own. Let’s see what’s next… I’m excited to find out, as there’s nothing more fulfilling than sharing the lessons I’ve gathered with the world if it can help in one way or the other.
Joachim, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
A passion for music has always been inside me. My parents recognized that from an early age. As a kid, I had countless hobbies, but I was always magnetically drawn to the piano—there was an extra spark in that interest that they noticed. By age 6, they insisted on putting me in lessons. While I wasn’t particularly interested in playing other people’s songs or diving deep into theory, I was captivated by experimenting and creating my own melodies, following what felt natural. My piano teacher, Henrik, quickly picked up on this. He realized I didn’t practice the assigned pieces but saw that I had a unique sense of rhythm. So, he adapted our lessons, teaching me about different rhythms and the power of silence within them. We often clapped out complex rhythms together, an experience that deeply shaped my musical intuition. I truly valued this shift in approach as it was a bridge to the next phase:
Later on, I started playing drums in a band, and a friend of mine, Nikolai Handeland, introduced me to a 4-track cassette recorder. That moment was groundbreaking for me—it opened up an entirely new world of possibilities. We could RECORD ourselves and our songs. Suddenly, I could see a whole new path ahead. To keep it brief, we began recording our own band demos, and from that point forward, my obsession with improving the equipment, capturing ‘the right sound,’ and finding ‘the right feel’ for each song consumed me. It was this drive that transformed me into a dedicated, workaholic music producer.
Then the journey unfolded further on a larger scale, it began in the raw, uncharted world of symphonic metal with the legendary band “Emperor”. Touring globally and performing for thousands, I was part of a movement that helped shape an entire genre, leaving an indelible mark on the metal scene. As a teenager, performing in front of such massive crowds was an incredible thrill. This early experience laid the foundation for my exploration of diverse musical landscapes, eventually leading to my transition into pop music with the formation of “El More”. Our hit ‘Close to You’ reached #2 on the pop charts and was the anthem for the iconic reality show “Big Brother”.
Fast forward, as my career evolved so did my vision for blending different styles and pushing life’s boundaries. It led me to Los Angeles. At the early stage and after endless hours of work collaborating with the label Position Music, you could suddenly hear my music in hundreds of the biggest films and tv shows including. “Ice Age 3” (FOX), “The Internship” (20th Century Fox), “Criminal Minds” (CBS), “The American Pie” (Universal Pictures), “Shrek Forever After” (Dreamworks), “CSI:Miami” (CBS), “The Kardashians” among many many others. It all created a stable platform for me to push my career further.
Then in 2011, I founded and built “J STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD”, a high-end boutique recording studio at the iconic intersection of Hollywood and Vine. “J Studios” quickly became a hub for major labels like Warner Music, Roc Nation, and Atlantic Records, hosting world-renowned artists such as “Charli XCX” and “Florence + the Machine”. More than just a recording space, “J STUDIOS” became a launchpad for some of the biggest names in music—producers and writers who contributed to tracks for “Shawn Mendes, Ariana Grande, Lewis Capaldi, Rihanna, Adele, Justin Bieber, Britney Spears”, and many more.
Beyond the studio walls, I launched “J Ryggs Records” in 2014, working closely with the successful label “Position Music”. From there, I developed and collaborated with rising stars like “MIIA”, whose track ‘Dynasty’ has reached millions of millions of listeners. Together, we also reimagined the song in collaboration with a real 50-piece symphonic orchestra, creating a hauntingly powerful new rendition. Another project I founded is the pop-dance-hip-hop group “MAD CIRCUIT”, whose song ‘My Fit’ took TikTok by storm, amassing over 16 billion views and being featured in Netflix’s No1 show “Never Have I Ever” among other MAD CIRCUIT songs featured in “Pain Hustlers”, “Fast and the Furious”, “Nashville” etc.
“What I’m Most Proud Of and What I Want People to Know”?
Music has never been just sound to me—it’s always been an expression of life itself. From my early piano lessons to playing drums in a band, and eventually moving into production, my journey has been fueled by a deep curiosity to explore, create, and express the world around me. What sets my work apart is not just technical skill, but an understanding that music is a reflection of the human experience, flowing with the same unpredictability and depth. It’s about capturing the essence of each moment, finding the right sound, and allowing the creative process to unfold in ways that often mirror life’s own spontaneity and letting that process unfold naturally, often in unexpected ways.
My path from a small town in Norway to building “J STUDIOS” at the heart of Hollywood was much more than a career move—it was an act of embracing the unknown, of stepping into uncertainty, much like life itself. In both music and entrepreneurship, there’s a rhythm to risk. You can’t always see where it will take you, but if you stay aware, alert, and fully present, incredible things emerge from the chaos. It was that willingness to leap into uncertainty—whether moving to Los Angeles, founding my own record label, or developing rising stars like “MIIA” and “MAD CIRCUIT” —that transformed my career.
The creation of *J Ryggs Records* and the development of artists who reach millions of listeners, or even billions of views on TikTok, brings me immense pride. But beyond numbers and milestones, what truly drives me is something deeper: the blending of genres, cultures, and ideas into a musical expression that elevates the human experience. Music, for me, is not just entertainment—it’s a bridge between people, an invitation to connect, reflect, and transcend the boundaries of ordinary life. It’s about inspiring a sense of consciousness, both in myself and in those who listen.
What I want people to know is that every decision I’ve made—whether in business or art—has been guided by a desire to open as many doors as possible in life, to step into something meaningful that goes beyond the surface before we turn to soil. From my early days with “Emperor” to “El More”, from Hollywood soundtracks to viral hits, my focus remains on capturing the essence of each moment and using music as a vessel for connection to a deeper human dimension. After all you create something out of nothing!
And what propels me forward, is the unknown, you’re living in the nerve of life itself. Every twist, breakthrough, and challenge has not only shaped my career but has deepened my understanding of what it means to choose to live consciously, express yourself and open new pathways of creativity. If I can inspire others to embrace that journey, then I’ve truly achieved my purpose.
Have you ever had to pivot?
In 2015 and 2016, shortly after a breakup with my then-girlfriend, I lost my focus. I found myself pulled into the temptations of Hollywood—a whirlwind of success, wealth, and indulgence. I was single, hanging out with other successful people, and at the time I was limiting myself betting everything on one music project that didn’t pay off at the moment. When I wasn’t working, I was caught up in the fast-paced social scene—dining at fancy restaurants, partying, and living the high life. I was enjoying the fruits of my success, but far too quickly and recklessly.
I had it all—or so it seemed. I lived in one of the best high-rise buildings in West Hollywood, complete with valet parking. I drove an expensive car, owned a high-end studio in a prime location, and my lifestyle demanded a significant income to keep up. But as time passed, reality crept in. The paychecks weren’t enough to support the jet-set life I was living. Slowly, things began to spiral out of control, and before I knew it, I was unable to cover even the basics.
One day, sitting in my studio, it hit me like a brick wall: “JR, you’re fucked.” The panic set in, and for the first time, I understood what a panic attack felt like. My entire sense of self was out of alignment, like being trapped in a nightmare I couldn’t wake from. I remember thinking, “What now?”
I remember during our regular Friday talks with my parents in Norway, I felt so ashamed of my situation that I pretended everything was fine—it was eating me up inside not being authentic to them. The only person I admitted this to was a close friend. At one point, I saw only one solution: buying an RV truck, parking it at his place, and setting up a small studio to start over while selling or renting out my own studio. My friend, who had just scored a song with Justin Bieber, had his house full of creative people, yet generously offered his front yard for the RV. Knowing I had a worst-case scenarios backup plan I continued to try other solutions.
The stress took a toll on me physically. I ended up with painful shingles, something the doctor said usually happens to people in their 50s or later, not someone in their 30s.
Desperate to survive, I started cutting away the excess. I sold my car, sold furniture from my studio, and offloaded old equipment I wasn’t using—just to get by. But each day and week felt like a repeat of the last—scraping together whatever I could by selling more of what I had left. Eventually, I opened up to more friends, including my parents. They gave me valuable advice, support, and encouragement, which gave me the strength to push forward with a new plan. Renting out my studio had never been an option before due to various reasons, but it became a necessary step to stabilize my finances quickly.
It wasn’t easy, but I started renting the studio by the hour, which brought in some money but also its own set of challenges. One client trashed the place, set off the alarm, and the building implemented new rules, restricting hourly rentals and requiring a minimum of one-month leases. It felt hopeless again. Then, in a twist of fate, I connected with some musicians from the Netherlands who needed the studio for six months. That one rental saved me and so out of dirt “J STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD” blossomed.
Ironically, being forced into the world of studio rentals led to some of the biggest names in the industry renting my space, giving me more freedom and stability than I’d ever had.
And amazingly enough the music project I had bet everything on during this time— the one that nearly ruined me—eventually later became my main source of income.
Looking back, one of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of trusting my intuition about the people I surround myself with and the value of setting aside pride to share vulnerabilities with loved ones. Contribute with what you can for others when there is a need. Never take what you’ve built for granted and acquire basic knowledge for finances. Success isn’t about being the smartest; it’s about staying aware. I came dangerously close to losing everything—it could have gone very differently. Yet, now I feel fortunate to carry this experience with me for the rest of my life.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Freedom of living life at its fullest while expressing it. Freedom to Travel. Managing my own time. Yet best of all– when you create art that has in some way or another helped people.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jstudios.biz
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jryggs/
