AWOLNATION
Aug 1, 2011
AWOLNATION, Aaron Bruno, Christopher Thorn, Hayden Scott, Dav Amezcua, Kenny Carkeet, began after Bruno(vocals) was approached by Red Bull Records in 2009 asking if he wanted free use of the Red Bull recording studio in Los Angeles. After a semi-successful career working with major labels but ultimately being disappointed and released without any major hits, he decided it was time to go out on his own and write the songs that he felt he was meant to write. He recorded a few songs in the studio and ultimately signed with the label calling it more of a "partnership" and was allowed to make the recordings that he wanted. Aaron writes all of his songs himself but confides in close friends and family or respected artists for guidance. The name AWOLNATION is derived from Bruno's high school nickname. In an interview with Kristin Houser of the LA Music Blog, he stated that he "would leave without saying goodbye because it was just easier, so that's where the name Awol came from."
The band's first single, "Sail," debuted at #30 on the U.S. Billboard Alternative Songs chart on the chart week of February 10, 2011. The band released their debut album Megalithic Symphony digitally on March 15, 2011, and the physical CD was released March 29, 2011 on Red Bull Records. The album features 15 tracks with iTunes and Amazon featuring the bonus tracks "Swinging from the Castles" and "Shoestrings" respectively and the album and single are currently flying up the charts.