AWOLNATION spent most of 2012 on the road, which was especially rough on lead singer Aaron Bruno’s voice.

The frontman told CBS Local it becomes hard not to overdo it when you’re trying to connect with a larger crowd.

“I have a tendency to over sing and scream too much,” he said. “Then I have a hard time for the next three shows.”

Not that Bruno’s complaining. The reason for all the vocal strain has to do with the band’s ever-expanding fan-base thanks to festival performances like Austin City Limits in Texas where the band played to a crowd of nearly 40,000.

“It’s one thing to play in front of 400 kids sold out and excited, then all of a sudden it’s 1,000… and then 10 and 20 and then 40 [thousand],” he explained. “It’s hard not to blow out your voice cause you see this sea of people and you’re trying to reach those people’s ears as well.”

Though Bruno says his band has had some massive moments this year, one of his personal favorites has to be playing the same stage as Radiohead during Coachella.

“To be able to see the AWOLNATION’s gear next to Radiohead’s gear,” he said, “that was an amazing experience.”

The Coachella gig also made him feel like his little band had finally made the big time.

“I was kind of scared, you know, if anyone was going to pay attention or if we were going to be accepted amongst that crowd,” Bruno said. “We totally were and it was a great experience.”

- Shannon Carlin, CBS Local