Album Notes

EP review snippets:
"The songs - driven by languorous swirls of understated acoustic and electric guitars, keys and bass - are meant to work the lower levels, the gut, with tunes that could easily be the backing track to classroom crushes, to hazy days spent leafing through yellowy photos of times past...Singer Shaver has the kind of voice that moves like a lazy river, delicate without being insubstantial; he's able to use images like "April," "snow" and "rain" in a single verse without coming off like some teary-eyed, wistful sack who thinks he's Paul Simon, or that feline-boned singer in Travis. When Shaver sings a line about smoking cigarettes you hardly believe he's a smoker. It's like that. File under ashen skies and skeleton trees."
-Brian Smith, Metro Times Detroit.


"The self-titled EP screams heartbreak, happiness and wistfulness. Anyone that grabs this EP will feel like they can relate to the lyrics and enjoy smooth musical transitions." -Amanda Shaul, The Big Green.

The Bio:
Breaking onto the scene in the noisy college town of East Lansing, Michigan, The Giveaway offers a fresh blend of British, American, and Indie rock with a hint of Emo. It is the band's skilled musicianship in conjunction with their unique and powerful pop sound that separates them from the typical college band stereotypes.
The Giveaway writes and performs original hook-based pop songs that call to mind their influences- artists like Coldplay, Jimmy Eat World, and Duncan Sheik. Yet the band does not seek to emulate these artists; their sound is very much their own. Every song has a distinct feeling due to the deliberate varying of the musical palette that has members constantly changing guitars, and keyboard sounds. Though the songs are diverse, they are all consistent with the band's vision and their at-once-recognizable style. The Giveaway owes its sound to the diverse musical background of its members, but also to the fact that every member is a capable and pronounced songwriter. The Giveaway's current trio of songwriters collaborates to create mature pop songs that continue to impress devoted fans and new listeners alike. The band's professional attitude and strong work ethic has allowed them to handle all aspects of their promotion; including their website, photography, artwork, and booking.
The band first came together in a dorm room at Michigan State University. After playing cover songs and a few originals for friends, the duo of Travis and Paul were encouraged to take their music further. They started out at performing at open-mic nights and coffee shops. Pleased and surprised by the response, they formed a band with Mark C. playing electric guitar and cut a demo that sold over 1000 copies in six months. They also received significant airplay on MSU's student-run radio station (WDBM). After playing a series of shows, the band took a brief break to write as Paul traveled in Europe. They then reformed, adding Josh and Mark B. playing bass and drums respectively. Coming from collegiate music programs, the new members added unexpected depth and a groove to the band's sound, due to their training in Rock and Jazz. This new lineup started a creative maelstrom for the band as they wrote and practiced feverishly, and played many shows before heading into the studio. The current EP is just a small sample of the new and dynamic songs the band has added to its repertoire of originals.
The members have an all-inclusive musical taste that allows room for diversity when it comes to style. This is due to a long list of influences, the most prominent being, along with the aforementioned: Death Cab for Cutie, Dashboard Confessional, Phantom Planet, Nick Drake, The Beatles, Radiohead, and U2.
The Giveaway has played a diverse list of venues in the state, and is already beginning to branch out and take their music on the road. The Giveaway has always been well received in new venues, captivating audiences of all ages with their tight live performances. Relationships with fans are very important to the band and their devoted local following is obvious at every show. "We're being patient, but we're growing exponentially," mused Josh recently.
The Giveaway has opened for Atlantic Recording artist Ryan Cabrera, Long Since Forgotten (Rocketstar), The Spill Canvas (111 records), Rookie of the Year (111 records)and Ettison Clio. They are in the process of booking shows with Calliope (Thick).
All members of The Giveaway are confident, hardworking, devoted to their music, and are willing to go as far as it will take them. The band works hard to avoid rock clichés and so the lyrics of their songs have a base in poetry and are often personal in content. They also carry an intended message through carefully planned themes: "We want to shower our audiences with honesty through our music," said Paul. Front man Travis Shaver has big goals and recently expounded on the band's mission: "We want to make wholehearted, powerful music that won't let go."