For those who don't know of Donovan or his bands Hail the Sun and Sianvar, he is a fucking monster drummer, singer, and song writer. I'm so happy he broke his addiction. So many of my musical heroes have died from drugs, and as Donovan stated it is completely preventable.
Dude, it KILLS me that he would ever feel "lower" or "less than". I cannot describe the depths of inspiration I've gotten from him, and it would absolutely make my life to be able to shake hands and talk to him one day. This guy is a flapjackin GENIUS.
People always tell me i should be getting paid way because of how much i know about random things that i have never even researched before. I even tested at almost genius levels as a kid. I have given life advice on multiple occasions so well that people tell me i should be a therapist. Yet for some reason, i cant follow my own advice i dont persue a career that would give me stability and its almost as if i want to be sad. My brain is a conundrum. I swear more dopamine is realesed in my brain when something tragically sad happens then when something extremely happy does. Human minds are very complex and there is still a lot that is not known about them.
After watching this I can really hear Donovan's struggles come out in Hail The Sun's lyrics. Really makes their music that much more potent, so awesome.
Thanks to this video and your bands music, i was finally able to reach out to my mom for help, despite being terrified that she was going to reject me for being a heroin addict. I still have a long road ahead of me, but I stopped using three days ago and I am going into a detox center in a couple days to get help. I met Donovan at a vip session once and at that time i was still using. The next time i meet him I will be clean, no matter what it takes and I will thank them all for giving me my life back.
Congrats on your first steps! Just stick with it, listen and do whatever they tell you even though it might seem "stupid" to you. The first few weeks are the hardest but it will get better, you will feel better.
Great story and thank you for sharing it. I had never heard of you guys until I saw you Monday opening for I The Mighty and I was very impressed with your music. Unfortunately, I lost my oldest son 4 years ago to drugs. He was 27. I was there Monday with my other son, who thankfully is clean and sober.
Immense amount of respect to him. Such a creative soul contributing so much to the scene; a soul that understands where he needs to be to make such contributions and puts himself there.
Donovan... You will never know the inspiration you are to so many people, myself especially. You are such an amazing and relatable person, and I will forever credit you with my recent commitment to sobriety. Not a single day goes by that I don't listen to hail the sun, and I hope i get to meet you next month in Kansas city! Stay golden brother.
I feel like a lot of us growing up in the 90s 00s have some kind of drug problem. I hope that we all get the help we need. And as of emo music being a fad, It wasn't to some . To all of us that found some kind of release in it i hope that God blesses you because it wasn't a fad but the way we actually felt and feel. Depression isn't a fad it's destructive...
This is awesome i love seeing success stories of people coming out of addiction and im happy to say im one. I cant wait to see these guys live the 22nd
Wow! An amazing interview and an amazing guy. My band have just been confirmed to support Hail the Sun in December here in the UK, and found this video while checking them out. Really looking forward to meeting Donovan, what an inspiration.
Wow, the situation he was in is the situation im currently in, rn i am clean but my mind and thoughts constantly make me want to do more and get back, tho i never have done narcotics i've always used weed and other drugs such as acid and shrooms and sometimes coke to cope and tho i broke the coke cycle, i still get random cravings and it absolutely sucks. Tho i understand i can get help, i truly believe that the whole reason for my consumption is because of my living situation and my history. I would love to break from every drug but weed but it's really difficult as someone who's had clinical depression since 9 and am going on 19 and still haven't fealt happiness in over 9 years but im working on it and hearing donovans story is inspiring. Much luv to anyone who's struggling with addiction and/or depression, you're not alone 🖤❤
tomorrow I'm going to the doctor, so.. hopefully I wake up and realize that I'm walking into my next change in life.. I want to be sober and it sucks it took this to get me to behave normally but I guess "what's normal" is running it's wear down for an excuse.. please dont discard me, I'm trying, I'm just making the change tomorrow.. I'm sorry, thank you for reading.. talk later
Yep. The self-esteem, the fucking ego. I started using late. But I know I was sick before. I had the "opportunity". Then, I was looking for an opportunity to use harder and harder drugs, drugs that I said I wouldn't take earlier. Donovan gives me a little hope, although I don't have the outlet like music. Yeah, I play guitar and it gives me joy, but I'm not creative and it fucking kills me. I don't think I could be in relationship. I have my family who cares for me, but in my darkest times I think they would be better without me.
For those who don't know of Donovan or his bands Hail the Sun and Sianvar, he is a fucking monster drummer, singer, and song writer. I'm so happy he broke his addiction. So many of my musical heroes have died from drugs, and as Donovan stated it is completely preventable.
well said brother, Im 2 years clean. This bnd defiently helped me out.
Dude, it KILLS me that he would ever feel "lower" or "less than". I cannot describe the depths of inspiration I've gotten from him, and it would absolutely make my life to be able to shake hands and talk to him one day. This guy is a flapjackin GENIUS.
Ashton Tallmadge I just saw him last night, met him, shook his hand and hugged him. He was such a nice and friendly man and such an amazing talent
He is legit one of the nicest guys I've ever had the pleasure of meeting
with incredible intelligence comes great depression and loneliness man. you see it all the time with brilliant, genius-type people.
People always tell me i should be getting paid way because of how much i know about random things that i have never even researched before. I even tested at almost genius levels as a kid. I have given life advice on multiple occasions so well that people tell me i should be a therapist. Yet for some reason, i cant follow my own advice i dont persue a career that would give me stability and its almost as if i want to be sad. My brain is a conundrum. I swear more dopamine is realesed in my brain when something tragically sad happens then when something extremely happy does. Human minds are very complex and there is still a lot that is not known about them.
I got to shake his hand and even have a quick picture with him after a show recently. He's the sweetest dude ever.
Getting high just gets me low, you told me so~
Or was i just never listening..
@@ItsAlwaysRainingInWa but then the season ends, and I'm still stuck in fall
I absolutely loved this video. Good for him and his 8 years of discipline and strength.
After watching this I can really hear Donovan's struggles come out in Hail The Sun's lyrics. Really makes their music that much more potent, so awesome.
This dude was someone I really looked up to and now I feel it's my duty to follow his lead, stop drugs and start jamming
I hope you've reached this goal, Chris
How are you today ?
I just celebrated a year sober in April and it made me so happy to see this interview. He speaks some serious truth in this video.
Congratulations Matt on a year sober, that is AMAZING! We hope you loved the video, keep up the great work!
Congrats! I hope one day I could get to one year and more, too. Happy for you, though.
Love this guys honesty and and "this is how it is" personality. He gives me hope. Much love to him.
Man, I used to jam at Donovan’s house back in high school. Glad to see him doing well.
Love Donovan. Fucking great singer and drummer and a great guy.
Thanks to this video and your bands music, i was finally able to reach out to my mom for help, despite being terrified that she was going to reject me for being a heroin addict. I still have a long road ahead of me, but I stopped using three days ago and I am going into a detox center in a couple days to get help. I met Donovan at a vip session once and at that time i was still using. The next time i meet him I will be clean, no matter what it takes and I will thank them all for giving me my life back.
Congrats on your first steps! Just stick with it, listen and do whatever they tell you even though it might seem "stupid" to you. The first few weeks are the hardest but it will get better, you will feel better.
Bro I’m happy to see this comment, I hope you are doing well man 3 years later. Love u homie
Great story and thank you for sharing it. I had never heard of you guys until I saw you Monday opening for I The Mighty and I was very impressed with your music. Unfortunately, I lost my oldest son 4 years ago to drugs. He was 27. I was there Monday with my other son, who thankfully is clean and sober.
Immense amount of respect to him. Such a creative soul contributing so much to the scene; a soul that understands where he needs to be to make such contributions and puts himself there.
I legit watch this video for motivation often. Donovan your the man keep it up
After seeing this I’m gonna quit smoking weed . I lost my independence to it .
Love you Donovan
"Liquid Courage"
That was the most addicting thing for me.
Donovan... You will never know the inspiration you are to so many people, myself especially. You are such an amazing and relatable person, and I will forever credit you with my recent commitment to sobriety. Not a single day goes by that I don't listen to hail the sun, and I hope i get to meet you next month in Kansas city! Stay golden brother.
I feel like a lot of us growing up in the 90s 00s have some kind of drug problem. I hope that we all get the help we need. And as of emo music being a fad, It wasn't to some . To all of us that found some kind of release in it i hope that God blesses you because it wasn't a fad but the way we actually felt and feel. Depression isn't a fad it's destructive...
I was an alcoholic in a extreme high level. I used to drink every single day. Now, I'm 3 years and 4 months sober. It's like I born again.
This is awesome i love seeing success stories of people coming out of addiction and im happy to say im one. I cant wait to see these guys live the 22nd
Wow! An amazing interview and an amazing guy. My band have just been confirmed to support Hail the Sun in December here in the UK, and found this video while checking them out. Really looking forward to meeting Donovan, what an inspiration.
That's awesome when you see young rock influencers share their stories. This helps so many young adults who are also struggling!
Great stuff :)
Thank you, Donnie. Thank you so much. This brought tears to my eyes because I'm going through it myself. Thank you.
Yep, I feel (understand) him so much. Hope you'll get better. I still have hope I, somehow, will get better.
Love them so much
I dealt with alcohol addiction I’m better now after getting help. I lost my job and all
Wow, the situation he was in is the situation im currently in, rn i am clean but my mind and thoughts constantly make me want to do more and get back, tho i never have done narcotics i've always used weed and other drugs such as acid and shrooms and sometimes coke to cope and tho i broke the coke cycle, i still get random cravings and it absolutely sucks. Tho i understand i can get help, i truly believe that the whole reason for my consumption is because of my living situation and my history. I would love to break from every drug but weed but it's really difficult as someone who's had clinical depression since 9 and am going on 19 and still haven't fealt happiness in over 9 years but im working on it and hearing donovans story is inspiring. Much luv to anyone who's struggling with addiction and/or depression, you're not alone 🖤❤
you my dawg for life 💯
Cool guy
tomorrow I'm going to the doctor, so.. hopefully I wake up and realize that I'm walking into my next change in life.. I want to be sober and it sucks it took this to get me to behave normally but I guess "what's normal" is running it's wear down for an excuse..
please dont discard me, I'm trying, I'm just making the change tomorrow.. I'm sorry, thank you for reading.. talk later
I tried… a lot can change in a year. I tried to change but I was inevitably discarded …it’s alright
This hits pretty close to home for me, minus the drugs part. Although I could totally see how I could have turned to drugs, given the opportunity. :/
winter your profile picture is my absolute favorite thing I've ever seen
Yep. The self-esteem, the fucking ego. I started using late. But I know I was sick before. I had the "opportunity". Then, I was looking for an opportunity to use harder and harder drugs, drugs that I said I wouldn't take earlier. Donovan gives me a little hope, although I don't have the outlet like music. Yeah, I play guitar and it gives me joy, but I'm not creative and it fucking kills me. I don't think I could be in relationship. I have my family who cares for me, but in my darkest times I think they would be better without me.
Those 5 dislikes are his past drug dealers
bro looks like judd nelson joined circa survive
This guy is a hero!
This, is woke. Awake to the energy that surrounds us all. Understanding it's implication and seeing to it. And holding true to intuition.
Damn he sounds like me lol acts like it too and my gf is obsessed with HTS💀💀💀
Does he take anti-depressants? Or
Anti-depressants saved my life, but maybe he doesn't need them.
Saw them live 2 days before this was uploaded lmao
It's "Woke" not "Wake"
You're ruining the vision
Tulpa