Aaron Bruno of Awolnation on Story of the MASSIVE Hit | Professor of Rock

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is the best song of the last 10 years?

[@jeremiahwright1683]

Dark Necessities. RHCP

[@melrupinski88]

“Next Girl” by The Black Keys. TBH, I’d say “Tighten Up”, but that was released 11 years ago. I’d put “Brothers” as the best album of the millennium.

[@ProfessorofRock]

@@melrupinski88 Good song!

[@nevrock1]

Welcome to New York - Taylor Swift

[@melrupinski88]

@@ProfessorofRock hey, thanks Professor... and thanks for all the great content on your channel 👍

[@davidwise3426]

That is truly an amazing rock song triumph. 181 million hits on KZbin, ranking high on the charts and I barely heard it honestly. Aaron Bruno is so low-key and humble, glad for his success in a business that's getting increasingly harder to thrive in. Back in the day he would have competed against Michael Jackson, The Police, The Bee Gees, etc. Today's artists are fighting for exposure and declining revenue now. It's still tough for them. I wish him all the success. Keep the rock torch lit.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I appreciate your comment. It's very true. Godspeed my friend.

[@davidwise3426]

@Jedimaster420 I marvel at what appeals to some people and can't understand why they don't share my tastes. 😊

[@andrewhudson7108]

Thanks for re-reminding me of this gem. I know they say there aren’t any good songs left after the 90s. It’s just that people have to dig a little deeper than they used to.

[@ProfessorofRock]

That's right.

[@SaneAsylum]

@@ProfessorofRock For sure. The landscape has changed and become very decentralized post radio.

[@austintrousdale2397]

Don’t let the grouchy Gen X’ers and Boomers get you down, lol 😄

[@TheNightBadger]

@Soy Orbison _"Only idiots say that. It literally angers me when I come across those comments. It proves that people are just being lazy and want the radio to spoonfeed them their music instead of having to go find it. I hate that"_ Why? Why should be people have to 'go find it'? When did listening to / liking music become a form of work? I mean, I get it - some people like doing things like that, but surely they are the ones who via word of mouth let everyone know about good things they discover that they feel should be better known. There are plenty of recommendations in this very comment thread from people for different artists. The Internet has made the music industry a massively spread and diffuse thing in which it's very very hard for people to get noticed and break into the public consciousness, but that isn't the 'consumers' fault - most people are busy working and paying bills. I'm not one of those people who say there isn't any good music anymore, but I also believe there was a golden age of modern music which started in the 50's and went through to sometime in the 90's in which the canvas of creativity and technology was mostly blank, and truly new things seemed to be happening every few years. I also believe there are a finite number of melodies that can be harnessed to make a song 'catchy'. The problem with modern artists is not a lack of talent, but that the canvas on which they're trying to write is almost full, so it's very hard not to do something which doesn't remind people of something else - that isn't their fault, it's a timing thing. Different forms of music have adapted to this in different ways: Hip-Hop just samples (takes someone else's tune), other forms of music lean more heavily on style and less on melody so that people who like the style will listen, but there will be less in the way of identifiable songs for people who aren't into the style to 'grab' onto. On top of that, the aforementioned diffuse nature of the industry and the Internet makes it hard for them to capture the mass audience generally.

[@thedubstepdoge]

I agree! Most mainstream music isn’t that good but you scan find a lot of really good songs

[@thestrawberryfeilds2]

I’m surprised at the number of people in the comments saying they have never heard of this song.

[@sayrerowan734]

IKR? Sail was everywhere for a while, and I still here it in movies and TV shows all the time.

[@tonycrabtree3416]

I knew it was big, but not multiplatinum big. One would have to be under a rock on purpose to have not heard it.

[@IowanMatthew683]

Because the average age of the audience is 60 and they expected the show to be a safe space for talking solely about the 60s-80s. What did you expect?

[@austintrousdale2397]

POR giving ‘em an education 👏🙏

[@wendyc7730]

@@IowanMatthew683 The Professor is opening new avenues of music to the 'old timers. There needs to be a bigger group of the younger generation to be introduced to this channel so ALL age groups learn new and classic music. Exactly @Austin Trousdale

[@youngpup2028]

I have loved AWOL since I first heard this record. My kids grow up listening to the music every day. Passion is by far their favorite as they both (9yo and 4yo) play the video nonstop. 7 sticks of dynamite is also played a lot as it is one of my favorites. It hits the sweet spot in my music genome.

[@OTOss8]

I love this video man. I'm glad you're not restricting your videos to songs made before 1994. Very cool man, I can't wait to see what's next.

[@austintrousdale2397]

As a “younger” Gen X’er I appreciate that perspective!

[@OlofP]

I heard Sail for the first time in a wing suit video sponsored by Red Bull, I had no idea AWOLNATION was on a label owned by Red Bull. 😮

[@starcrystal5551]

Thank you for interviewing him. He's a musical Genius probably b.c he is scorpio & libra (among other zodiacs) & yeah.....if u treat scrorpio well, they do give good luck.... of course Nothing in life should be taken for granted; that's y (i think) he's careful talking about dying or death too is b.c its a v serious part of life

[@V01t2]

Good get. Awolnation saw me through some really dark times. Favorite ballad of all time has got to be "All I Need"

[@N8Gooseman]

Love it!!! Thank you for this interview. I love Awolnation my dog is named Bruno lol. For real, his music has saved my life.

[@SSGTStryker]

I remember hearing this song on heavy rotation when I was stationed in San Antonio, TX. I instantly loved it and I’ve been a fan of both Aaron Bruno’s work, as well as Awolnation.

[@mortygal]

Even though it was within the last decade, this song brings back memories from a time when I was driving a lot of different work vehicles that I could only listen to music via radio. Loved to crank this one in the old hearse I was using at the time. Didn't realize it was as successful of a song as it was.

[@Porrohman72]

Just saw them in concert. They opened for 311. They and 311 were awesome!

[@oscarpinillacastro5893]

Great Idea for a video. As a fan of classic rock I always appreciate learning about great new (to me) music. Thank you professor, I really love your irony-free pure-love work

[@zenseed75]

Loved this interview. Got to see him in LA twice. First, by chance, on Jimmy Kimmel Sep 2011. Eleven years later, on Nov 11th (Aaron's birthday) got to see them at Hollywood Palladium. Thought the timing was cool. Obsessed with his music.

[@debbienye6002]

"Sail" is a great song! Those who have never heard it, you're on KZbin, look it up!

[@michaellorenz7177]

If you like your music on the heavier side, DevilDriver does a good cover of "Sail"

[@carnivoreRon]

Sail was everywhere when it was released. I remember going to high school dance competitions and hearing it performance after performance. Congrats.

[@clairechevrolet4969]

Aaron is the most talented musician of our time

[@naomidominiquelowen1637]

AARON BRUNO IS A GENIUS 💎💎💎

[@wizzer88]

Love the interview. He seems like a real cool and down to earth guy. I remember hearing Hometown Heroes back when I was in college and always wondered what happened to them. I didn't know until a few years ago Aaron was the lead singer of that group. Love the evolution of his music, and it's awesome.

[@andypappaswithjukeboxgyro7454]

I was surprised to see a more recent song highlighted on the channel. But it is another great, insightful and informative interview. Thanks for all the great content!

[@erock.steady]

i've never even heard OF this, let alone HEARD it. wow i 've often recognized my head as up my ass, but while living UNDER a rock, in a CAVE? thank you for introducing me to myself lol.

[@naomidominiquelowen1637]

I hope you've been listening to AWOL ever since!!

[@Houlgravely]

Mammoth WVH, the debut album from Eddie Van Halen's son Wolfgang, could be a paradigm shift for the rock charts for 2021 onwards. It is legitimately really great and he's a fantastic singer.

[@5150-for-music]

Just got that record and listened to it today. AMAZING debut album!

[@RFXLR]

I’m glad he said Nu Metal was a sad thing!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha!

[@markallen2984]

Such a horrible genre.....such dark times.

[@RFXLR]

@@markallen2984 and it was so stinkin’ popular!

[@markallen2984]

@@RFXLR , Yes, but at various times so were the Bay City Rollers and The Partridge Family

[@RFXLR]

@@markallen2984 Why haven’t we learned from our mistakes?

[@ericaking7087]

Great interview. Aaron, thanks for the openess and insightfulness into the background of SAIL. Can we say GENUINE CANDIDNESS? 😊❤

[@suhtran6334]

Professor of Rock, thank you for for highlighting a newer artist. I still listen to this song today.

[@johnyoung6680]

Back in college in 2002, my friend introduced me to a band named Home Town Hero. This is back when we were still burning CDs, but I made some copies for my buddies and we we're all obsessed. It had this raw, pure rock and roll feel. Straight forward and honest. So years later, I ran into Under The Influence of Giants and noticed that it was still Aaron Bruno as the frontman. Years passed again, then when I heard 'Sail' I was shocked as if it just resonated with me on a different level. I followed the same artist for such a long time that I could see the growth. His music career trajectory mirrored my own artistic career as a visual designer, who had had his own ups and downs. It felt like I was completely connected to the artist, as his growth seemed like my growth, or potentially even mirrored the ups-and-downs. It's so strange and beautiful that vibrations can connect people in such profound ways. It's been an absolutely kickass pleasure as a fan; and fellow artist, to watch Aaron's career. And more importantly you can tell Aaron is a student of music, an artist, and a musical wizard.

[@naomidominiquelowen1637]

Thank You for this comment!!💯💖💯

[@stephenkemp3372]

Glad you're doing any and all bands/artists

[@SarahJacksonLV]

I found it due to it being the primary song played to a big UFC fight lead up...may have even been a walk out song...hearing the sing come through the giant screen at the MGM grand Garden Arena a couple hours before the main event...while people still filing into the seats...it got people pumped without anyone fighting yet, lol. Only just saw the amazing video last year for the first time....I love it!

[@tonyplaysbass]

"The Nice Price" sticker is probably the best and easiest summary to give to someone who has never seen your channel.

[@Chipnational]

Great band. Saw them open up for Twenty One Pilots.

[@billsherk9198]

My now 21 year old son turned me on to Sail when it came out and I said this song is going to be a hit 👍🏻

[@AR-kh8df]

AWOL did it again recently with the hit “Panoramic View” . Lightning strikes again. Another great song topping the charts.

[@naomidominiquelowen1637]

🤩💯🔨💯🤩

[@brendancronin3796]

Sail is a great song ...the lyrics sound like primal dream therapy and I love the instrumentation ....what I'm assuming were strings ( or synths the way it rises and falls

[@tifh14]

Great interview and love how you mix it up with all decades.. great song and love Awolnation. Thanks again for all the content.

[@gregoryhajder348]

The whole album is awesome. "Not your fault" is the second best song behind "Sale"

[@LastBastian]

Agree the whole album is pretty great. I personally love "Knights of Shame"

[@jarrodsorensen2890]

For anyone who hasn’t heard them check “Handyman” very beautifully writing, almost an old school style ode to love… which shows Aaron’s great song writing, he’s a very clever fella.✌️

[@dewdew34]

That's crazy a guy makes videos for Bruno Mars, Megalithic Symphony and ends up in a successful country band. That's cool and weird.

[@bryanmcdermott4204]

Glad to see Awolnation get some attention. Great respect for Aaron wanting to treat a powerful line with caution.

[@bobbynip66]

As an old guy, it’s not easy for me to find anything in the past 10 years that I really like, but 2 that are way up there are Royal Blood, and Mammoth WVH (Eddie Van Halen’s son)...yes, I probably gave Wolfgang a listen because he’s Eddie’s son, but it’s legitimately good!

[@OG_Wakanobi]

Royal Blood is pretty awesome. From another old guy.

[@birchlawpa]

Royal Blood, Rival Sons, Highly Suspect: just to name a few really good contemporary rock bands. I saw a post on another video where someone said there isn't any good rock music being produced anymore. My response was yes there is, you just have to hunt for it because it isn't on Top 40 radio.

[@potatopoison1130]

Very true

[@MyName-pl7zn]

Blame it on my ADD baby. Love this song, totally original and an anthem, cool to find out he was just trying to find a reason to stay in the music business and suddenly sold 10 millions copy,wow. Great interview. Also the official video is great but there is an unofficial one of 2 girls and a water hose that captures the feel of the song too

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thank you. Ya he’s a pretty cool guy.

[@twistedviewlabs]

21 people blamed it on their ADD

[@mikeporten8174]

Why 21? I don’t get it.

[@foxpurlee3733]

Shinedown is a modern band than would be a great interview. They just set a Billboard record for most #1 rock songs, but even though they get a lot of rock radio airplay, many people do not know who they are. They are a rock band that write songs, get airplay and play their instruments, a rarity today.

[@charlie81dbz]

I first heard Sail on a video of a guy base jumping off a cliff where his chute failed to deploy and his gopro caught all the footage of his fall down the side. It was a terrible video to watch (thankfully the guy lived) but I had to find out what the song was because it was just one of those things that sticks with you once you hear it. AWOLNATION is one of my favorite modern bands. Great interview.

[@bretpeterson5265]

I remember hearing this on 101x and just being floored when that first bass note hits. I was so excited every time that song came on. Definitely has my vote for one of the most important songs of that decade. To see some of the redos by choirs and all sorts of genres... just shows how powerful this song is.

[@DaveWillmore]

I need to learn to trust you. I was worried going into this video but you rocked it again. Great tune and interview.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Rock on!

[@86crud]

It does speak to the soul. And I’m sort of old, but it grabbed my attention immediately.

[@LastBastian]

Same. 👍

[@nicholastotoro7721]

10,000,00 copies and I’ve never heard of this song. How does that happen… 🤣

[@TRKTKO]

This was all over the place

[@roomofidiots]

Don’t live in caves

[@DanaONeillStuder]

Omg Sail was a huge love of mine. It's a gateway song that opens the door to the band. They're great. I've got all the CDs.

[@timmedlock996]

Great interview! Another " modern band" that makes great music that I would love to see interviewed is The War on Drugs.

[@ProfessorofRock]

We’ll try to get them. I love the War on Drugs!

[@standardofexcellence]

Thank you medlock

[@SaneAsylum]

@@ProfessorofRock Would love to hear from Eve 6!

[@Venti470]

Love this track. It's dark, it's synth and angry.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ya it’s pretty cool for sure.

[@Venti470]

I always enjoy your content and how you present it!

[@ProfessorofRock]

@@Venti470 Thank you!

[@danielramsey1418]

Yeah Red Bull music label has done Aaron wrong in that many, many of his AWOLNATION songs are very, very catchy and could have easily been major hits, but they just haven't gotten the exposure they deserve. Hell except for Sail, I literally didn't catch on to his music until last year 2023...Aaron has written songs that would have been massive hits if they had hit the air waves.

[@heidgrunw2085]

found them because of Breaking Bad season 3!!! still a great track!! come back to NYC

[@blackbasin6284]

Hi, it's good to hear from Aaron, I have to give an even bigger shout out to his former band "under the Influence of Giants"!

[@mylesteller]

The 2011-2012 school year was my sophomore year of HS and that first AWOL album was my soundtrack that year!

[@fennyellis3366]

I saw Under the Influence of Giants with 6 other people in attendance! Amazing group! It was our own private dance party! Saw Awol Nation also...about 10,000 in attendance!

[@luispenick7448]

Holy shit! I was lucky enough to come across their one album in a thrift store and played the hell out of that record. I'm so jealous. That is an awesome life experience.

[@fennyellis3366]

@@luispenick7448 It was an amazing experience my kids and I treasure!

[@joeymorvant161]

Never got into these guys, Prof, but I watched, anyway, because I greatly enjoy your show.

[@OG_Wakanobi]

If you've ever sat in your bedroom with a guitar trying to learn songs on the radio, you're going to like this channel.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Good one.

[@frankk6161]

Professor---In response to your request for suggestions on artists and songs of the last decade, how about Gotye and "Somebody That I Used to Know?" Thanks!

[@SaneAsylum]

Was a great one.

[@frame3139]

No horrible song

[@Heartwing37]

THAT’S a GREAT song!!!

[@SaneAsylum]

@@frame3139 You're right. It is no horrible song!

[@steveclark5206]

That song by Gotye always reminded me of something Peter Gabriel would have done in the 80s. When I first heard it I thought it was a new release from him.

[@danieljacob76]

You should interview multi instrumentalist Klayton (aka Circle of Dust aka Celldweller aka Scandroid. His multiple musical projects show his ability to switch between genres, and his Scandroid project might be of particular interest due to its 80’s/synth character. The story behind his first project (Circle of Dust) is interesting too. The *quality* was there, but record label problems really hampered him.

[@cdubranslam]

Thanks for the info, loved celldweller in the 2000's, love Scandroid's retrowave stuff, didn't know it was same guy! Wow

[@andyhudsonsynthpop]

I loved, and still love Under The Influence of Giants. I saw them twice in London. I also went to an Awolnation gig in London around the time of this songs release.

[@jdramirez77]

I'm surprised AN isn't played more on the alt radio stations... they have a ton of great songs that shake the soul...

[@ericwilliams1031]

Loved Under The Influence Of Giants. Some killer songs there.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I’ll ha e to listen.

[@Boomdjvideo]

Awol kicks ass! The Kills need a review also

[@kellygriffith1773]

Just another AWESOME song

[@ProfessorofRock]

I like it too. Thank you for commenting.

[@timsears951]

have never heard of this song ...how is this even possible?? 10 million copies??

[@wendyc7730]

I have heard about awolnation and Sail. It's adrenaline pumping. It's good. Military, firefighters, hot shots, smoke jumpers, ems and police like this just like Top Gun, Billy Idol and other type metal bands to keep you pumped.

[@willwest2773]

Great Song - Good Interview - Keep EM Coming :)

[@frankk6161]

Thanks, Adam, for another interesting production! Although I try to catch every one of your "deep dives," I can't claim to have viewed them all, so if I missed it, disregard this request---Any chance of a Boz Scaggs retroview?

[@ProfessorofRock]

We will try. We've tried before and it the timing hasn't worked but It will happen . Thank you for the suggestion.

[@frankk6161]

@@ProfessorofRock Thanks, Adam. Appreciate the effort!

[@kellyg2826]

I saw them a few months before Imagine Dragons blew up. 900 seat house and Imagine Dragons was Awol’s opener. I didn’t realize radioactive was probably directly influenced by Sail. It’s easy to hear the similarities, but I wasn’t aware of Sail’s timeline. Both songs were played in that set so I figured they were evolving independently from a third source, but based on this interview, it very well could’ve been Sail.

[@thebagheadz1991]

Not many can say they influenced a generation of musicians to change the sound of a genre that was beginning to die out

[@leightnite3056]

My wife and I LOVE his Lp's, hard to believe his 1st record is sooo good!

[@stevebabb8328]

Love Awolnation. Unique Sound, And Style

[@BoomRoasted3]

For me Awolnation is up there with all the old bands, love their sounds and all 4 of their studio releases so far

[@aniokay]

I remember the exact place I was when I heard it for the first time. It really hit diffently...

[@frumexicano4112]

Great interview, however I'm disappointed that you never discussed the fan video which predated the official video (which I think was awesome BTW) and which probably introduced a number of people to the song.

[@LastBastian]

Yep. It was hilarious.

[@snoozyq9576]

I'm glad they didn't mention it, they're talking about his music not someone else's videos

[@garycreasy]

I've never even heard of this song. You need to dial it back about 10 years.

[@Patrick3183]

I’ve literally never heard this song or band.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Take a look.

[@melrupinski88]

Me neither

[@nelrock3641]

Yeah...I haven't either. I have heard of 38 Special though...:-D...?

[@austintrousdale2397]

Class is in session 📕 💻

[@jdubvdub]

Same here.

[@ChipmunkRapidsMadMan1869]

I love the Nice Price sticker. Digging through cut out bin. One of the most fun places to shop is called Exclusive Company (still on Chestnut and Dousman in Green Bay)

[@elizabethscott1738]

Aaron Bruno needs to know that the line about a cry for help or maybe he should unalive himself, isnt somthing to be ashamed of... because its such a genuine real feeling people feel, not even in fantasy, its a real true feeling and thought people have.. Sail was somthing that helped me in a datk time to express some emotions i didnt have words for..... After that Hollow moon "bad wolf" was my happy jam.. I geeked out at the dr who reference and the fun beat... Kill your heros, so many songs affected me in big ways...

[@greengoog22]

Such a great song!

[@LTVoyager]

As one who grew up in the 60s and 70s, I think it is a stretch to call Sail a rock song. And the saddest part is that one of the best songs of the 2010s would not have even made the charts in the 70s.

[@peterflynn2111]

Basically none of this century would have charted no talent this centiry in pop music

[@LTVoyager]

@@peterflynn2111 I agree.

[@DavidStJames11]

Very cool!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for watching!

[@ruley73]

I love this song, but was completely unaware of how well it charted before watching this video.

[@cdubranslam]

"Grinding the crack" wingsuit video on youtube used this song and went viral before it hit the charts or before it came back, deserves some credit IMO.

[@scottrichardson1014]

One of if not the best song to come from that era in alt pop rock . So may videos with this on you tube my favorites are the Diaz tribute and the epic video with girl and the garden hose. Look them up it’s worth the watch. It was a gym a favorite of mine while training Muay Thai .

[@Enid2Sacramento]

Sail was the soundtrack to every other KZbin video five years ago...

[@danstone8783]

Never heard of this song. But the best song from last ten years has just gotta be Fridays by Rebecca Black, Just Kidding. It was really Whip Your Hair by Jimmy Fallon as Neil Young.

[@ginacherry-fraley7627]

I like this song!! What about Kings of Leon?

[@Geeky907]

Dude..... You sound like Casey Kasem ... AWESOME!!! ... Miss Him..

[@kingelvis5502]

Love AWOL!!!

[@MindMeltMusic]

I love Aaron so so much❤️❤️❤️

[@MaxStax1]

I first heard this song watching a Russian language video and heard it playing in the background. I Googled some of the lyrics i could make out and found the music video for Sail. I also like the song Run, among others by Aaron Bruno.

[@ashwb1]

Goes into the who is that column.

[@lloydrobert6182]

Aaron could pass off for White Jesus. Jokes apart, he's so down to earth. Loved his way of thinking.

[@austintrousdale2397]

Took too quick a look at the thumbnail and thought Adam was interviewing Jared Leto. “Damn, I hadn’t realized ‘Kings and Queens’ was so popular,” was my hot take 😆

[@heavychevy4616]

on the subject of "new" music... may i suggest u think about doing a feature on one of the "new" bands keeping the flame of rock 'n roll alive... RIVAL SONS! ...one of the better rock bands of the modern era, & very creative... thanx professor

[@slshusker]

I first heard Sail on college radio, KXT Denton, Texas.

[@sayrerowan734]

So many people not having heard this helps explain how a great band like Orange Goblin can release 9 albums in 25 years and still remain largely unknown.

[@LastBastian]

Love Awolnation, never heard of Orange Goblin.

[@TheresaTorres-cr6cb]

I love this whole album awolnation

[@alliswede42]

Somehow awolnation has never popped up on my radar, but anyone who likes Genesis by Justice and NIN has to be worth checking out. Thanks as always, Professor 🙏

[@michaelmcdonald8452]

Surely you’ve heard Sail in a movie or a commercial or somewhere in pop culture, no?

[@michaelmcdonald8452]

Having said that, if you’re looking for something as exciting as though two artists, Sail is probably going to come up a little short for you. It’s got a sexy groove, it sounds pretty unique, but its enduring popularly is (somewhat) baffling.

[@TheJpep2424]

LoL at NIN

[@ProfessorofRock]

You’re welcome

[@michaelmcdonald8452]

@@TheJpep2424 why is the “LOL?”

[@darrenangle4493]

Great song! DevilDriver however, covered this and knocked it out of the park.