Mika Karhumaa
Mika Karhumaa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | September 28, 1972 Alavus, Finland |
| Nationality | Finnish |
| Citizenship | Finland |
| Alma mater | University of Turku |
| Occupation | Author |
| Organization |
|
| Height | 176 cm (5 ft 9 in) |
| Spouse(s) | Oili Karhumaa |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Pepe Karhumaa (brother) |
| Website | mikakarhumaa |
Mika Karhumaa (born 28 September 1972) is a Finnish artist manager,[1] copyright and contract specialist in the music industry, music business management lecturer, and author.[2] He is best known for his trilogy, The Essence of the Music Business, a methodical book series about the international music business. His latest work, The Art of Music Business Management – For Artists and Managers, was published in 2022, with a second edition released in March 2024. His recent writings focus on online presence and its relationship to artificial intelligence, a subject he continuously explores alongside his other work.[3]
Karhumaa is the owner of Re-Member Agency, which provides strategic music business management services across a wide range of genres to meet the evolving needs of the industry. He has managed artists such as Winterborn, Celesty, Delta Enigma, IRENE, Melba Culp, Annika Nord, Jennifer Porter, Jack McConnell, Rylos, Misha, and Hanna-Maaria Tuomela.[4][5]
His career as a manager began with the band Base Project, and his international breakthrough came in 2005 when he was introduced to Winterborn while working at Helsinki Records. Since then, he has built a reputation for managing artists in various genres and guiding their careers to international success.[6]
Karhumaa has a longstanding affiliation with Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, where he is actively involved in music business management education. He also lectures as a guest at various other universities, sharing his expertise widely and regularly collaborates on course planning. Additionally, he engages in international discussions and participates in the development of educational programs.[7]
His work is characterized by a structured and analytical approach that combines legal expertise, strategic management, and hands-on experience in artist development.
Early life and education
Mika Karhumaa was born on 28 September 1972 to Seppo and Terttu in Seinäjoki, Finland, where he lived until 1992. During his teenage years, he played bass guitar in several local bands and was also a baseball player and coach.
In 1995, he enrolled at the University of Turku to study law, inspired by John Grisham's The Firm. Although music remained a strong interest, he chose to pursue a legal education.
During his studies, artists began contacting him, which marked the beginning of his career in artist management. Originally, artist management was intended as a way to better understand music industry law, but it ultimately became the professional path he continues to follow.
Career
Karhumaa began his career in 1994 as a bass guitar teacher at Turku Pop Rock Jazz School. He worked for Finn-Power intermittently from 1997 to 1999. In 2000, he founded Re-Member Agency, where he continues to work as a strategic music business manager.[8]
His first managerial role was with the band Base Project. His career gained international recognition in 2005 when he was introduced to Winterborn while working at Helsinki Records. This marked the beginning of his journey in managing bands with a global reach. He went on to manage other prominent acts, including Celesty and Melba Culp, and more recently Misha and Hanna-Maaria Tuomela.
In 1999, he signed his first publishing contract with Edita Publishing, marking the beginning of another significant path in his career—as an author of music industry books—a pursuit that continues to this day.[9] Today, he publishes his own works and has stated that these books emerge amidst all his other professional activities. Whenever a notable change or innovation in the music industry begins to have a broader impact on music management, a new book is likely to follow.
He began lecturing at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences in 2004 and has led music business management studies within the university's cultural manager program since 2019. Karhumaa has also been a guest lecturer at institutions such as the Sibelius Academy and Arcada University, frequently collaborating on course planning and participating in the development of educational programs.
His teaching emphasizes practical case studies, real-world contracts, and the application of music business theory in international contexts. His lectures often attract international participants and include guest contributions from industry professionals such as Chris Lakey, Mandy Salem-Aubry, Marilyn Reles-Lozano, Sam Tall, Jennifer Pyken, Juhani Merimaa, and Timothy Williams.
Books
Karhumaa’s books are widely used as reference material by artists, managers, and music industry professionals, and they have also been incorporated into music business education and training programs.
In his recent work, The Art of Music Business Management - For Artists & Managers, Karhumaa has focused on the role of online presence in artist careers and its growing connection to artificial intelligence, examining how digital systems influence visibility, decision-making, and professional responsibility in the music industry.
- The Essence of the Music Business: Contracts. Retrieved 7 October 2021.[10]
- The Essence of the Music Business: Philosophy. Retrieved 7 October 2021.[11]
- The Essence of the Music Business: Strategy. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- Karhumaa, Mika. The art of music business management: for artists & managers (2nd ed.). Finland: Mika Karhumaa. ISBN 9789526502922. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
Bibliography
Mika Karhumaa
- Musiikkibisnes 1 – Kevyt musiikki ammattina ja liiketoimintana (Edita, 2000)
- Musiikkibisnes 2 – Sopimukset kommentaareineen (Edita, 2002)
- Musiikkibisnes 2 – Sopimukset kommentaareineen (Edita, EDILEX update, 2004)
- Musiikki Liiketoimintana (Teos, 2010)
- The Essence of the Music Business – Contracts (MK, 2017)
- The Essence of the Music Business – Philosophy (MK, 2018)
- The Essence of the Music Business – Contracts – 2nd Edition (MK, 2019)
- The Essence of the Music Business – Strategy (MK, 2019)
- The Essence of the Music Business – Philosophy – 2nd Edition (MK, 2020)
- The Essence of the Music Business – Strategy – 2nd Edition (MK, 2021)
- The Art of Music Business Management – For Artists & Managers (MK, 2022)
- The Art of Music Business Management – For Artists & Managers – 2nd Edition (MK, 2024)
Curriculum Vitae
Legal Positions
- Finn Power – Trainee Lawyer, 1997–1998
- Helsinki Records – Contract Specialist, 2005–2006
- Law Firm Palo & Karhumaa – Partner, 2011–2013
- Re-Member Agency – Owner, 1999–Present
Artist Management
- Base Project – 1996–1999
- Decall – 2000–2002
- Winterborn – 2005–2008
- Celesty – 2007–2008
- Annika Nord – 2017–2024
- Melba Culp – 2018–Present
- IRENE – 2019–Present
- Hanna-Maaria Tuomela – 2023–Present
- Misha - 2025 - Present
Agent
- Sam Agency – 2006–2008
Lecturer - Music Business Management
- Turun Pop Rock Jazz – Educational Institution – 1994–1996
- Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences – 2004
- Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences – 2007–2008
- Tampere University of Applied Sciences – 2012
- Sibelius Academy – 2012
- Arcada University of Applied Sciences – 2018–2020
- Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences – 2018–Present
Personal life
Fluent in English, Swedish, Finnish, and Italian, Karhumaa has a keen interest in languages. He enjoys outdoor activities such as jogging, playing tennis whenever possible, and staying active in nature. His lecturing engagements take him around the world, allowing him to connect with diverse cultures. Like many Finns, he is an avid ice hockey fan, following the NHL and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Later in life, he became an active electric bicycle rider, which he has described as a counterbalance to his daily routines. During these rides, he often develops improvements and new insights that he later incorporates into his books and lectures.
Gallery
In the media
References
- ↑ "What Your Artist Manager Wishes You Knew". Synchtank. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
- ↑ "Mika Karhumaa". amazon.com. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ↑ "Musiikkialalla jyllää kolme käänteentekevää mullistusta, jotka muuttavat toiminnan suuntaa – "Onko supertähtien aika ohi?"". ilkkapohjalainen.fi. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ↑ A, George (9 August 2022). "Why is good footwork crucial to artists?". The National Era. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ↑ "Musiikki leviää tarinan kautta – Mika Karhumaan kirjoista tuli kansainvälinen menestystarina". ts.fi (in suomi). 25 January 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ↑ "Why is footwork important to the artists?". The New York Express. 9 August 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ↑ Hakola, Elina (11 November 2010). "Idolin käsikirja". Tärkeimmät talousuutiset | Kauppalehti (in suomi). Retrieved 11 April 2025.
- ↑ "Mika Karhumaa | teos.fi". www.teos.fi (in suomi). Retrieved 11 April 2025.
- ↑ Pelttari, Tuomas (5 February 2018). "Mika Karhumaan kirja 'The Essence Of The Music Business – Contracts' julkaistu". Musiikkikirjastot.fi – musiikkikirjastojen vinkit ja verkkopalvelut yhdestä paikasta (in suomi). Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ↑ "mika karhumaa". waterstones. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ↑ "The Essence of the Music Business (mikakarhumaa) - Profile". Pinterest. Retrieved 7 October 2021.