Joe Given Music

“Joe Given is impacting Top 40/Hot AC radio with "Terrifying Love". ”

“Joe Given gets Wired ... Cloverdale is a hotbed of young musical talent, and one of its brightest rising stars will be appearing at a coffee house Friday. Singer-songwriter Joe Given ...” - Jennifer Lang

“Joe Given, a young Canadian singer/songwriter, released his new album, "So Much More". ... The music reflects the theme of the album as it relates to love, heartbreak and self-discovery.  He promotes a message of individuality, believing that, when people are true to themselves, they become "So Much More"”

“Surrey's Joe Given finds his musical style with latest album release ... in juggling school, acting and music, Surrey’s Joe Given leads a very hectic life for a 20-year-old. With his second album, So Much More, recently released, Joe Leary spent 24 Seconds with the talented singer/songwriter.24: What inspired you to pursue music?JG: Music is one of the only arts that are (pretty much) universally appreciated. I’ve always loved music and listening to and creating it is one of my favorite things to do. The magical thing about music is that it moves people. When people write songs, they can write about anything and give that song whatever sound they choose. Songwriting is a powerful way of expressing one’s self and people can often relate. A person’s playlist is the soundtrack to their lives. What keeps me inspired is the idea that music is such an essential part of everyone’s lives and has the power to do such great things. When I get up on stage and connect with the audience it’s one of the greatest feelings in the world. It’s that connection that keeps me going.24: What was your very first gig and how did it go?JG: My first gig was a voice recital for my first music school (Heartland School of Music). I got up and performed Fly by Lenny Kravitz. By the time I got on that stage I didn’t want to leave, knowing ‘this is what I want to do.’ I wasn’t nervous, just really excited. I knew that was where I wanted to be and that attitude has never changed.24: As you’ve matured how have you changed musically?JG: I have definitely changed musically over the years. When I began performing I was covering a lot of Michael Bublé and Frank Sinatra. When I began songwriting it was very much inspired by the style of Jack Johnson and the early Beatles. I’ve gone through many different phases with my music though my current style feels most true to where I want to be. I’m currently inspired by a lot of indie rock and some synth-pop. With anything in life, you’ve got to move forward and keep changing.24: Tell us about the new album, So Much More.JG: The message of my album is very much about being true to oneself. Often times people are afraid of being themselves or being different; it’s about breaking away from those fears and letting life unfold as it should. That being said, there are also a lot of love songs. I felt like I finally found a style that I was passionate about and reflected everything I wanted my music to be. The use of synthesizers and organic instruments made the creative process so much more powerful. The few performances I’ve done with my new sound has been energizing and inspiring. My co-producers (Ron Irving and Luke Isaac) and I got to experiment with new sounds and new technologies in building the album’s sound. So Much More is very electronically driven, while also being grounded with organic instruments. This last year has definitely been my favorite creative period thus far. Music is art and art is always changing, so I hope to see my music keep evolving.24: Who do you view as your musical heroes?JG: That is a tough question as my songwriting is very much inspired by a lot of different artists ranging from The Beatles to Lady Gaga. My musical style is a mixture between Mumford and Sons and the Black Eyed Peas. My vocal inspirations are Jeff Buckley, Bruno Mars, and Lana Del Rey. I have many inspirations and it is difficult to sum it up into a list.” - Joe Leary

“Joe Given Catch a rising star this month at McJac’s Roadhouse Grille. Acclaimed young singer-songwriter-actor Joe Given will be featured in intimate performances Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 17 (5:30 to 8:30 p.m. each night) at the restaurant ...The 19 year-old performer, by day a business management major at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, will showcase his golden voice – and charisma to match – in sets of originals and covers in the pop and R&B idioms (with a little rock and soul thrown in for good measure).He’s racked up an impressive record of playing more than 400 venues and special events over the past three years, plus a whole raft of awards and scholarships, and has also branched out into acting, this year earning a Community Theatre Coalition nomination for best actor in a leading role in a musical for the role of Schroeder in Surrey Little Theatre’s You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. ...” - Staff Writer - Peace Arch News

“Surrey gets SASSY ... Youth Award winners ... Surrey's Joe Given performs a song at the inaugural SASSY Awards Friday at Surrey's Bell Centre. Given was a SASSY Award winner. ... Seven local young people ... were honoured Friday, Oct 14 during the inaugural SAASSY Awards (Service Above Self Surrey Youth), an event hosted by Semiahmoo Rotary Club at Bell Performing Arts Centre. ... award winners ... and Joe Given (performing and visual arts).  ”

“Two Kwantlen Students Receive SASSY Award for Outstanding Community Service ...      METRO VANCOUVER, BC – (October 24, 2011) They make a difference in their community everyday, and last week, Surrey students John Davidson and Joseph Given were officially recognized for their contributions. The two Kwantlen Polytechnic University students received a SASSY – Service Above Self Surrey Youth – Award, hosted by the Semiahmoo Rotary Club, for making a difference in the community by demonstrating the Club's model of ‘service above self'. ...Given also knows a thing or two about working hard. The Kwantlen Business student has won numerous music-related awards and has performed at more than 400 events over the past few years. "It's a brilliant feeling to know that what you're doing is the right thing. It was a huge honour to be recognized in a room full of inspiring people who clearly make a difference everyday," says Given, who received the SASSY Performing & Visual Arts Award.Each award winner received a $500 bursary plus $500 to be donated to the charity of their choice. ...  Given will be making his donation to Free the Children. ... ”

“Joe Given ... Rising Star Making music:  Joe Given, 18 has performed at more than 350 events over the past few years, wowing crowds with his high, clear voice and mix of pop, rock, R&B covers / originals. ...” - Tom Zillich

“....Splinters, an award-winning play from the 2008 “Write On” playwriting competition ...To round off the evening of original works, local songwriter/musician Joe Given will entertain the audience with a pre-show selection of music.Given, along with 13 talented youth from the surrounding community star in the ensemble cast of Splinters.  ...”