Michael Gira was the founder and lead singer in the New York City rock band, Swans. After the band broke up in 1997 Gira released a number of solo albums under the names Angels of Light and The Body Lovers. The former being a acoustic ensemble with Gira acting as singer/songwriter, and the latter an instrumental and experimental electronic project. He has released several albums under his own name including The Somniloquist (2000) and a collaboration with Windsor From the Derby's frontman Dan Matz titled What We Did (2001)

Gira's short story collection "The Consumer" was published in 1995 by 2.13.61 publications.

Gira also runs a record label called Young God Records.