Michael Gira

Bio

Michael Gira is a musician and author best known for his work in Swans, the band he founded in 1981. Swans were often associated with New York City’s avant-garde “no wave” movement of the late ’70s and early ’80s, along with Sonic Youth, Glenn Branca, Lydia Lunch and James Chance. In 1990, Gira founded the Young God record label, releasing albums by Swans, Akron/Family, Devendra Banhart and others. In 1998, he founded the neofolk band Angels of Light. Gira has recorded several solo albums, including Drainland (1995) and the home recordings I Am Singing to You from My Room (2004) and I Am Not Insane (2010). He has published two collections of short stories, The Consumer (1995) and The Egg (2018). In 2022, he published a collection of Swans lyrics, journals and stories entitled The Knot. The 17th Swans album, Birthing, was released in May of 2025.