AWOLNATION
AWOLNATION and Better Noise Music: Expanding Boundaries with Angel Miners and My Echo, My Shadow, My Covers and Me
Visionary alternative artist AWOLNATION, the project led by singer-songwriter and producer Aaron Bruno, continued to redefine the sound of modern rock through his collaboration with Better Noise Music. With the release of Angel Miners & the Lightning Riders (2020) and My Echo, My Shadow, My Covers and Me (2022), AWOLNATION deepened his reputation for pushing creative limits — crafting bold, emotionally charged music that thrives at the intersection of rock, electronic, and pop innovation.
Released in 2020 through Better Noise Music, Angel Miners & the Lightning Riders was AWOLNATION’s fourth studio album and a deeply personal work born from chaos and reflection. The record explored themes of loss, perseverance, and hope, combining cinematic soundscapes with infectious hooks. Its lead single, “The Best”, became one of the year’s biggest alternative rock anthems — climbing into the Top 10 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart and receiving heavy rotation on SiriusXM Alt Nation and mainstream rock radio. The single’s empowering message and explosive chorus resonated with fans worldwide, while follow-up tracks like “Slam (Angel Miners)” and “Mayday!!! Fiesta Fever” featuring Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros showcased AWOLNATION’s fearless experimentation.
In 2022, Bruno followed with the imaginative My Echo, My Shadow, My Covers and Me — a collection of reinterpreted classics that paid homage to his musical influences while introducing them to a new audience. The album featured a lineup of exciting guest collaborators, including Beck, Rise Against’s Tim McIlrath, Grouplove, Brandon Boyd of Incubus, and Elohim. Each track was reimagined in AWOLNATION’s signature style, blending synth-driven production with heartfelt vocals.
The standout single “Material Girl” (featuring Taylor Hanson) quickly became a fan favorite, gaining airplay across alternative and specialty radio formats and showcasing Bruno’s ability to reinvent pop culture staples with fresh, cinematic flair. Other notable covers, including “Beds Are Burning” (with Tim McIlrath) and “Wind of Change” (with Portugal. The Man and Brandon Boyd), received critical praise for their creativity and relevance. The project reflected a global artistic collaboration during the pandemic — a musical reminder of connection and nostalgia during uncertain times.
Together, these two albums showcased the full spectrum of AWOLNATION’s artistry. Angel Miners & the Lightning Riders captured raw emotional honesty through original material, while My Echo, My Shadow, My Covers and Me celebrated collaboration and musical history. Both albums performed strongly on digital platforms, amassing millions of streams and reinforcing AWOLNATION’s enduring influence in modern rock.
Through Better Noise Music, AWOLNATION continued to evolve as one of the most innovative voices in alternative music — blending introspection, rebellion, and imagination into a sound that’s uniquely his own.
