AWOLNATION released their third studio album, Here Come The Runts early 2018 to strong positive reviews. Aaron Bruno, the band’s chief songwriter and founder took the helm to produce, write and record the new studio album, stating, “With this record I really wanted to make a rock n’ roll/pop album. And I say ‘pop’ how I grew up listening to it, in the sense of Dire Straits or Born In The U.S.A or The Cars or Tom Petty.” The single “Handyman” garnered strong mainstream radio airplay support, over 8 million as the accompanying video easily topped over 2 million views on YouTube and features accomplished film/TV/stage actor Monte Markham alongside actress Alex Essoe (Starry Eyes). While the band is currently on the road in support of the new album, AWOLNATION is getting some good exposure for the title track of their previous LP, as “Run” is currently featured in the new Solo: A Star Wars Story TV spot. Bruno says, “This may be the biggest accomplishment of my life. Typically commercial spots rely on score for the music bed which makes this even more special!”
During an interview before the band’s Oakland, CA show, Aaron Bruno of AWOLNATION spoke with B-Sides about making Here Come The Runts, how the track “Handyman” is influenced by an 80s duet by Peter Cetera and Amy Grant, and more. Check out the interview:
AWOLNATION North American Tour Dates – Here Come the Runts Tour 2018
Saturday, May 19 Hangout Festival 2018 Gulf Shores, AL
Sunday, May 20 Marathon Music Works Nashville, TN (w/Miss & IRONTOM)
Tuesday, May 22 The Mill & Mine Knoxville, TN (w/Missio & IRONTOM)
Thursday, May 24 House of Blues Orlando, FL (w/Missio & IRONTOM)
Friday, May 25 Revolution Ft. Lauderdale, FL (w/IRONTOM & special guest TBA)
Tuesday, May 29 The Orange Peel Asheville, NC (w/Missio & IRONTOM)
Wednesday, May 30 The Ritz Raleigh, NC (w/Missio & IRONTOM)
Friday, June 1 The Mercury Ballroom Louisville, KY (w/Missio & IRONTOM)
Saturday, June 2 X-Fest @ KeyBank Pavilion Burgettstown, PA (X-Fest w/Jack White, Cold War Kids, more)
Friday, June 15 Upstate Concert Hall Clifton Park, NY (w/Lovelytheband & IRONTOM)
Sunday, June 17 Higher Ground Burlington, VT (w/Lovelytheband & IRONTOM)
Wednesday, June 20 Aura Portland, ME (w/Lovelytheband & IRONTOM)
Thursday, June 21 Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom Hampton Beach, NH (w/Lovelytheband & IRONTOM)
Friday, June 22 The Strand Providence, RI (w/Lovelytheband & IRONTOM)
Saturday, June 23 Big Field Day at Innsbrook Richmond, VA
Sunday, June 24 Bogart’s Cincinnati, OH (w/Lovelytheband & IRONTOM)
Wednesday, June 27 The Pageant St. Louis, MO (w/Lovelytheband & IRONTOM)