The musician who pans his music to the right to compensate for 80% deafness
In short: Imagine creating a global hit while being nearly deaf in one ear. Aaron Bruno, the voice of Awolnation, navigates the world of production by physically rearranging his sound to match his own hearing, proving that artistic vision often requires literal creative workarounds.
Aaron Bruno's musical journey is defined by a restless pursuit of sound. Born in Westlake Village in 1978, he began playing guitar before age 10 and spent years navigating various genres, from hardcore punk and post-grunge to indie rock. He notably performed with bands like Home Town Hero—which was dropped by Maverick Records in 2001 after a stage-trashing incident—and Under the Influence of Giants. His breakthrough came with Awolnation, specifically the 2010 hit "Sail," which achieved sextuple platinum status in America.
A unique physical constraint shapes his creative process: Bruno was born with 80 percent deafness in his left ear. This isn't just a personal hurdle; it dictates his technical production. When mixing records for headphones or car stereos, he intentionally pans his favorite instruments to the right side to align with his primary hearing. Even his physical presence in theaters is strategic; he sits off to the left to maximize his ability to hear the performance. This technical adaptation ensures that his intended sonic experience translates to the listener's ears.
Beyond the technical, Bruno's style is a synthesis of diverse influences. He describes his vocal technique as a rigorous evolution from hardcore screaming to a blend of falsetto and belted vocals, a process he describes as 'putting his voice through the wringer.' His influences range from the pop perfection of Michael Jackson and Madonna to the complex arrangements of Radiohead's OK Computer. He even views rap as the 'hardcore music' of his generation, citing Public Enemy and N.W.A as foundational to his understanding of 'anti-music.'
Today, Bruno continues to push boundaries by balancing his role as a multi-instrumentalist and producer with new projects like The Barbarians of California. Whether he is producing full albums solo or collaborating with indie upstarts, his work remains a study in how personal limitations and wide-ranging inspirations can be forged into a distinct, multi-platinum identity.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Aaron Bruno
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