Rising through the ranks from her role as “the fixer” in the Nordic hardcore scene to the president touring & artist development for FKP Scorpio, Rauha Kyyrö has had an outstanding career.
Founding Helsinki-based Fullsteam Agency, a live music agency and concert/festival organizer, in 2002, Kyyrö has been an undeniable force in the development of the Finnish and greater Nordic live music scene.
For the latest edition of Rob My Job, Kyyrö details the path she took to get to where she is today, and the lessons she learned along the way.
How did you get into the music industry? Describe the path you took to where you are today.
I guess it is quite a typical story: I was in a (skate punk) band, and the easiest way for us to tour abroad was to play shows with other bands outside of Finland, and then bring those bands to play in Finland with us. This was in the end of ’90s/early 2000s. I definitely wasn’t the most talented musician in the band, but I was great at getting things done so I always ended up being the one booking the shows, taking care of any production details, getting the records out, distributing the posters and whatever it was that needed to be done. I was also great at solving problems on the road, and I soon became known as “the fixer” among some of the Swedish and Finnish punk/hardcore bands.
After booking shows and releasing records for the bands that I had become friends with I started getting calls from “real” agents and managers representing more established artists who had heard about me from their friends, and then suddenly I found myself promoting sold-out shows for iconic bands like Opeth, Turbonegro and Flogging Molly, mainly thanks to Tobbe Lorentz at The Agency Group (now UTA), who was the first agent who saw something in me and gave me the opportunity to work with his artists even though I was just a kid at the time.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced early in your career?
Just being super naive and not even realizing some people might actually lie to your face in order to make a little bit of money, or to see big companies pull a stunt just to keep you away from the business. That was a real challenge in the beginning. For me, it was never about money, it was just something I felt passionate about. And it really took me awhile to understand why some people were acting the way they were.
You were promoted to FKP Scorpio’s international board this year. In summary, what does your current job role entail? What are the key strengths and skills that help you excel?
My job at the moment is divided into two main areas of responsibilities: the first part is to make sure we work together as well as possible as a group across the FKP companies, and the second part is to make sure we will get the artists and tours we want in each market for both headline shows and festivals.
“I wouldn’t be where I am if I hadn’t made all those mistakes along the way.”
What’s been the most surprising lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
I guess just the fact that people would actually lie to you about silly things, for reasons I can’t understand (like money, for example).
Looking back, is there anything you wish you had done differently in your career?
For sure! But at the same time, I wouldn’t be where I am if I hadn’t made all those mistakes along the way. I guess the only thing I really would decide to do differently is to trust my intuition more from the beginning; if you feel something is off, don’t do it. You really shouldn’t have to put yourself through anything you don’t feel comfortable with.
What initiatives or projects are you currently involved with that excite you?
Obviously I can’t tell you!! But I am indeed working on a few new projects that I am super excited about! Let’s just say that it will be big and it will be queer.
Where do you see yourself headed in the next 5-10 years?
Somewhere sunny and warm, I hope.
