Aaron Bruno, the voice behind AWOLNATION and the raw, hardcore-rooted Barbarians of California, sat down during a unique cruise setting where music meets the sea on ShipRocked. As a lifelong surfer, touring musician, and now father to twin three-year-old boys and a three-month-old baby girl, Aaron shared insights on creativity, family travel challenges, his deep connection to the ocean, and why he’s urging visitors to escape crowded LA for quieter California shores.
In addition to his ongoing work with AWOLNATION, Bruno is gearing up for a major moment with his other project. MEGATONS, the new album from The Barbarians of California, drops on August 21, 2026. The band will support Guns N’ Roses on select tour dates and hit the road on their own fall tour, including a high-profile appearance at Louder Than Life. Barbarians of California were also recently announced to be back onboard for ShipRocked 2027!
Whether he’s rebuilding after fires, hitting the waves, or bringing new energy with Barbarians of California, he continues to chase what feels meaningful. Safe travels, and if you’re heading to California, take his advice: sometimes the best spots are the ones further north and away from the crowds.
What’s inspiring you to write music right now?
I only write when I feel like I have something important to say—something worth attempting to record. As a newer father to twin boys and a baby girl, wanting to make them proud is a big motivator. They take up most of my time with my wife, so when I do get free moments, I’m hyper-focused on being productive with writing, recording, or playing shows.
Any tips for traveling with kids?
Traveling with kids is really hard. I don’t have any tips—I’m still figuring it out myself.
You covered “Winds of Change” by the Scorpions in 2022. Did you ever listen to the podcast of the same name about the CIA conspiracy?
I started to listen to it. A buddy gave me the summary. I always loved the song and we were pummeled with that music video on repeat, which kind of lines up with the conspiracy. Anytime something’s on massive repeat, it feels weird. There’s the miracle of the song, the stars aligning, but there’s also a machine behind it. As someone who had a big song, no one knocked on my door. So it is possible without that kind of “help.”
What’s your perfect day in LA? What would you tell someone visiting to go see and do?
I would say don’t come to LA—head north and get away from the city. Keep going north to find less crowded beaches, from Oxnard north, County Line, where they filmed Point Break. The further north you go, the more you escape the crowds. If you’re going to the beach, you want peace of mind. I like the isolation.
Any favorite spots to eat or recommend in the area?
I live up in the mountains in Malibu. A great spot is the Old Place on Mulholland Highway, between Canoga and Malibu Canyon. It’s wonderful.
Living in LA there is always fire risks—your studio burned down in a wildfire. How did you handle that, and any advice?
My studio burned down in the Woolsey Fire. The main house was saved because we went above and beyond the standard fire prevention measures—things like extra sprinklers. The government protocols don’t always seem to cut it, so my advice is to never rely solely on anyone else. Do more if you have the time and resources.
Have you cruised before? What do you think of this experience on ShipRocked?
No, this is my first. I’m a surfer who’s been surfing my whole life. Surfing and music feel parallel to me. Waking up and seeing the ocean or just gazing at it from here feels like home. This cruise is the best of both worlds.
Tell us about Barbarians of California and what you’re excited about musically right now.
Barbarians of California is rooted in hardcore, which is where I came up. We started during the 2020 shutdown. We did one show at the Troubadour that went really well, and now we’re making a second record and playing shows. We are touring with Poison the Well and Converge, and we’ve done dates with Deftones and a couple with Guns N’ Roses. I’m mostly here for that.
You’ve seen some great bands on this cruise. Any standout moments?
Seeing Suicidal Tendencies live for the first time blew me away. I knew they were iconic, but the musicianship and energy were incredible. Knocked Loose too—they’re great. It’s cool to play for people who might not have seen us before. AWOLNATION has always been a bit of a chameleon, so it’s exciting to connect live and branch out.
What are your favorite surf spots?
My favorites are the harder-to-get-to ones—kind of off the grid and private, north of where I live. I try to find less crowded beach breaks. When touring, I don’t usually bring a board, but if the opportunity pops up on an island with waves, I’ll rent one and go.