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Agiven

"Agiven Debut CD Now available on CD Baby.com "

About Me

Formed in early 2002, the current core line-up of AGIVEN comprises of Niall McGrath (vocals, guitar), Enda Ward (lead guitar) and Kevin O'Sullivan (bass), Michael Chang(violin) and Paul Igoe (Percussion). MICHAEL CHANG grew up as a classically-trained violinist in the grunge world of Seattle, where he performed in several bands and shared stages with the likes of Soundgarden, Warren Zevon, and They Might Be Giants. In 1990, his folk-rock band LIKE RAIN, was voted "Best New Band in the Northwest" alongside a little-known group (at the time) called NIRVANA. In 1999, he decided to pursue his interest in Irish traditional music and settled into Galway, His interest in acoustic-based roots music led him to find AGIVEN, and he has been playing rock fiddle with them ever since. Paul Igoe started life on the 11-03-1983. His musical career began at an early age; his initial love was guitar, which he played in a few local bands. To date Paul has drummed in Rory Galagher tribute bands, jazz bands and at the moment he is also playing in a side project with a dj. This love of drums and his passion to push the boundaries of percussion, is why Agiven found Paul such a welcomed addition to their great arsenal of talent Niall Mc Grath doesn’t know who he is or what he wants. His life started when he got the last rights in 1995 after a short bout in a coma after catching viral meningitis. He then began playing guitar and believing in the quote by Oscar Wilde " an artist doesn’t see things as they really are if he did he would cease to be an artist”. All other objectives besides music seemed alien to him. He began writing songs at first for self-analysing purposes and mostly therapeutic reasons, until his dream of writing anti love songs came to fruition. "No miracles expected just answers please" is his question in one song, another self analysing moment to help him come to terms with why god spared when so many die, and what difference can he make. Enda Ward, guitar player with Agiven started his musical career in true Led Zeppelin style - playing the recorder! The musical obsession developed through keyboard and then onto guitar. Starting out on classic rock, Enda joined the biker rally favourite 'Ward 9' on there adventures around Ireland. At the time Ward 9 were rated as one of the top bands on the bike rally scene and invited to play some of the top rallies across the country playing from Kerry to Cavan and Donegal toKilkenny. A move to Galway brought a new change of direction as one of the foundingmember of a jazz-blues jam collective incorporating piano/guitar/saxophone/bass/percussion with an assortment of floating musicians. Kevin O Sullivan, a diagnosed narcoleptic found the only cure for falling asleep was to play with the multi talented .Agiven. MyGen Profile Generator

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 10/20/2005
Band Website: agiven.com
Band Members: Niall McGrath (Vocals/Acoustic Guitars), Enda Ward (Electric Guitars), Kevin O'Sullivan (Bass), Michael Chang (Violin), & Paul Igoe (Drums, Percussion)
Influences: Deftones,Dave Matthews Band, Tool,Sigor Ros,John Butler Trio, Kila, Bela Fleck, Adult,Biffy clyro,Preston Reed, World Music from every corner, Bluegrass, Metal, Jazz, Electronic, Celtic/Trad + all the usual classic rock influences....This list is just what I can think of now - it will go on and on and on and changes every day!!!
Sounds Like: Its terrible to pidgeon-hole and we just can't self analyse what we do - we like to call it Percoustic - The mix of Percussion, acoustic and electric....But better still you tell us what we sound like - we'd love the feedback....

Type of Label: None

My Blog

CDs available online

Finally our CD can be bought anywhere in the world wohoo, heres the link http://cdbaby.com/cd/agiven Enjoy...
Posted by Agiven on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:14:00 PST

Cds have finally arrived !

EP CDs have finally arrived, Current mood: giddy Category: Music Well our cds have arrived in all their shrink wrapped glory after months of Turmoil. Its a year almost since i posted my last o...
Posted by Agiven on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 05:06:00 PST

Sudio Update

Due to schedule diferences and spiralling costs, work has been delayed on our album. Now it is likely a shorter E.P wll be released a prequel if you will in the coming months and w...
Posted by Agiven on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 12:28:00 PST

What we doin

We are in a far away country studio working through a few tunes, well in between everyone taking their holidays. I cant really talk im off to see kraftwerk in belgium this weekend then go team and lot...
Posted by Agiven on Wed, 18 Oct 2006 09:05:00 PST

Gig Updates

The winter hibernation is over and we're back in April with some more gigs...First up we'll playing at the Last Goodbye tribute to Jeff Buckley in Roisin Dubh on April 9th...So far lined up ...
Posted by Agiven on Thu, 09 Mar 2006 11:05:00 PST

California Dreamin/Drinkin

Livin it up out here in California for a couple of months - Tryin to spread the music around...Checked out the Dead Kennedys gig last week in San Diego - good gig but its not really the same...
Posted by Agiven on Wed, 08 Feb 2006 07:03:00 PST

Gigs in Roisin Dubh

We'll be playing two gigs in Roisin Dubh this week. On Monday night Niall and Enda will be playing an acoustic set support to Breakdown Rambler. Then on Wednesday night we'll be playing a full ba...
Posted by Agiven on Sun, 15 Jan 2006 05:49:00 PST

First Post

Hi all....First post just to remind ye that we're playin Roisin Dubh(Galway) this Monday, January 16th with Breakdown Rambler. Later. www.agiven.com...
Posted by Agiven on Thu, 12 Jan 2006 02:10:00 PST