Akiva performs both solo and with a fantastic crew of musicians. Akiva has been privileged to play with players like: Frank Gagliardi (bass, vocals, shots) Simon Miller (drums/percussion/vocals/bass) Jared Scott (guitars/bass/keyboards/drums) Paul Loren (keyboards, vocals) Josh Churgin (bass) Philip A. Jimenez (bass/everything else) Dom Dorman (guitars) Tim Fagan (guitars/vocals) Voyce (drums) Sam Smith (drums)
Performing Songwriter says: "It may be difficult to define Akiva's music, but no matter what you call it, we promise you're going to dig it." (December, 2006)
Akiva's music career began while playing Counting Crows covers for classmates at UMASS. A neurobiology major, he pushed any ideas of a serious music career out of his head as he pursued his original dream of becoming a brain surgeon. “I love understanding how people work and all the intricacies of personality,” he said. But while studying abroad, Akiva found himself spending more time playing gigs in English Pubs and popping up on local radio than dissecting gray matter. “There’s no passion in a paycheck alone,” says the singer/songwriter. “I need more substance than that.”
After returning stateside, a chance encounter with producer Philip A. Jimenez (Wheatus, Easy Anthems, Beat Radio, The Diggs) at a friend’s backyard wedding led to Akiva’s critically acclaimed debut release, Bueno Y Sano. As one DJ put it, “it’s one of those Cds you don’t want to let your friend borrow. Laid back groove and Muy Caliente!” (UTA Radio). Next came his follow up, The Hermosa EP, which had college students everywhere singing along to the classic west coast summer anthem, “Holler Hermosa”. Discovering Artists proclaimed, “…this album will propel his career…a dazzling collection of tracks.”
Akiva has brought his mellow soul sound to such legendary venues as The Bitter End and The Knitting Factory in New York, The Mint in Los Angles and the Georgia Theatre in Athens. He has become a sought after opener for acts like RUSTED ROOT, JOSH KELLEY, INGRAM HILL, TOBY LIGHTMAN, and RON SEXSMITH and has showcased at numerous conferences from NEMO Boston to the NACA Nationals (Boston) to Atlantis (Atlanta) and the Midwest Music Summit (Indianapolis). His music is also featured on various compilations such as Sonicbids Listen Volume 1, Decent Xposure and Sunny Delight’s Summer 4 Ever: Road Trip 06.
“Music is a release. It’s a way for me to put everything out on the table and be vulnerable. And that keeps me coming back for more,” he said. And as the word continues to spread, radio stations from Santa Monica to Boston have added Akiva’s music to their playlists. Soon enough, you’ll be coming back for more too.
Akiva – and his music – have a way of getting inside your head.
"...this album will propel his career...a dazzling collection of tracks"
- Discovering Artists
"This is AKIVA's finest work to date. Listen to "Holler Hermosa" and you'll hear why AKIVA is one of today's best new emerging artists".
- Joe Madonna, Music Director, 91.3 WVUD
akiva thanks for the chat the other day! it meant a lot! hope you are doing well and had a great 4th of July!! talk to you soon! miss you! yea we seriously need to do another video....waiting for some new stuff to do it to :) Ill get the others pumped and excited to do another one and see what we can do haha
$25/hr special in studio b $30/hr special in studio a �We shop every band that records here to record labels!� �We have 17 record deals out of Chin Music Studios� ProTools HD, SSL, etc Free lodging!
What more could you ask? Hit me back if you are interested :)
akiva akiva i think its time for a new video huh? hahaha any suggestions!??! as to what song? hehe MISS YOU!!! did you have the show yet to raise $ for the phone yet? haha MAN thats horrible! im so sorry about that again! poor akiva! talk to you soon! i assume you need numbers again huh?
I thought I'd say hello! Check out some new music on eMusic, snag our songs for free!!. Thanks for the support!! Let me know what you've been up to! Dave Dave Tamkin
Some place new is always so refreshing though... so maybe being somewhere too long could be a little part of the excuse for 'espace' :)
yes, adventure!
moving to another country would be all of those things... but it would be the most thrilling experience ever. if i could, i'd be out of my country in a second.
hahaha im glad you didnt hear much! I mean I wouldnt have cared if you did but Oh man it was an EMOTIONAL day that day! But it was in my pocket while we were walking at the river so you probably heard all the commotion in my pocket! me talking, dogs, and more haha I looked at the phone and it said it had called you for like 5 freaking minutes! Oh touchscreen cell phones! Im beginning to think i DONT like them! LOL im seriously thinking about getting a new phone because im tired of how this one messes up so much! with calls, wrong texting etc
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