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.