For Aaron Sand, music is more than a creative pursuit, it is a way to tell his story, honor his father, and use his talent to make a difference. The 26-year-old New York native is a singer, songwriter, actor, model, and dancer whose artistry spans pop, rock, alternative, among other genres.
Behind his music is a deeply personal connection to one of the darkest days in New York City and American history.
Sand lost his father, who worked at global financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald, in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Losing his father has shaped his life and his commitment to 9/11 advocacy and volunteer work, as well as his support for the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund.
His personal experiences have found their way into his music. In 2022, Sand released “Still Here (For Dad),” a deeply personal song dedicated to his father. More recently, his single “How You Do Me” charted on iTunes, while its music video has surpassed 100,000 views.
Sand is continuing to build his career while using his growing platform to advocate for causes close to his heart. He also serves as a brand ambassador for Funari and has appeared in the company’s advertising campaigns.
Sand opens up to New York Trend about losing his father on 9/11, his family’s connection to Cantor Fitzgerald, why the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund holds special meaning for him, his music and the inspiration behind “Still Here.” He also talks about his latest single and how he hopes to turn his experiences into something that can help others.
NYT: What initially drew you to music, and when did you know this was something you wanted to pursue professionally?
Aaron Sand: I’ve been drawn to music for as long as I can remember. Ever since I was an infant. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if I one day learn that I came out of the womb singing when I was born.
I’ve always been drawn to good music— which I really have to credit my mother for, cause she used to put me to sleep to James Taylor, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, the list goes on… she didn’t allow any of the bubblegum Disney stuff.
As for when I realized it was my calling and started to pursue it professionally… I was 4 years old, and I performed in a talent show at my pre-K.
I knew the second I was performing on stage that it was what I was meant to do. I felt at home, and as if I had found my purpose. I’ve spent every single day since then— working toward this very career and life, which I’m now immensely blessed to be living and building up.
NYT: What inspired your latest single, “How You Do Me”?
Aaron Sand: I wanted a fun, sexy, lust-infused song for the lead single, and I wanted it to be something you could dance to, as well as rock out to.
I wanted my song to be tasteful—with lyrics that gave off a certain vibe but weren’t so sexual they felt trashy. I also didn’t want it to be uninspired.
I feel I have something to say, and am telling a story with my work. I wanted my music to be original, sound good, and be performed with all real instruments.
I wanted a unique sound, but also that classic, timeless sound and vibe that you got from songs in the early 2000s, 90s, 70s, and 80s at the same time. So I blended those sounds and vibes, mixed it with a modern sound and vibe, and gave it my own unique flare.
And I got pretty inspired while jamming out to “Heart Song” by Automatic Loveletter when working on this particular track… and from there— everything just kinda came to me.
As for what I want listeners to take away… “How You Do Me” is not one of my deeper songs, so I can’t really say there’s any overall message or lesson that I want them to take away.
So I guess what I’ll say is that I just want them to have a newfound love and appreciation for real music after hearing this song. I wanna make good music and real art popular again.
I wanna bring back rock n’ roll, and real art that actually sounds good, is inspired, and tells a story— to a mainstream audience!
I wanna set the standard for what it is to be an artist today, and then I wanna keep raising that standard.
I want people to be themselves, and stop following the mob and going with the trends. Screw the trends!
To summarize, I’d say I really wanna inspire change, freedom, fun, and individuality.
That’s what I want listeners to walk away with. A newfound appreciation for real music and the inspiration to let loose, be themselves, and just enjoy life.
NYT: Your song “Still Here” in 2022 was a tribute to your father. How did creating that song affect you?
Aaron Sand: It was therapeutic, but also extremely difficult. It’s the most raw and vulnerable song I’ve ever written and sung, and probably ever will write and sing.
It was something I just needed to do— It’s both a message from me to my dad, as well as a message from the other family members to their loved ones who were killed that day.
I think all of us who experienced that loss can relate to those lyrics, so it’s just as much my song as it is theirs… and I think it’s helpful and therapeutic to listen to and sing those lyrics, because we all need that reminder that they’re still here with us in spirit, and that our loved ones are smiling down at us and are proud of all that we’re accomplishing.
Recording it was just a pure release of emotion… I was a mess. I woke up hysterically crying in the middle of the night with the lyrics and melody just pouring out of me. I opened my voice notes app and just sang it while in tears.
Then getting into the studio to create the track and professionally record the vocals was like a repeat of that process— but with what felt like a weight lifted off of me.
Then releasing it… that felt like another weight lifted.
I felt like I had a responsibility to release that one, and when I put it out… I had a massive sense of fulfillment, cause I knew I was making a real difference, and that this song has the ability and power to really help others— and create real change.
NYT: Your father’s death on 9/11 is an important part of your journey. How have you been able to channel that loss and your personal experience into your music and your work?
Aaron Sand: Well, for starters… the very song you just asked me about. That would be a great example of how I’ve been able to do that.
But also, I do a lot of advocacy and volunteer work.
My friend Cait Leavey (who also lost her dad) does something called The Spirit of 9/12– which is inspired by the way in which everyone put aside their differences and came together as one after 9/11.
Every 9/12, she does this event. Parents come with their kids, and everyone makes drawings with positive messages as a tribute to loved ones lost and as a way of uplifting others… we spread a message of love and kindness… and then we send these drawings to people who are experiencing tragedy and loss of their own, and need some kindness to help lift them up and put a smile on their face.
We also do some drawings ourselves, too— in between checking in on everyone, ensuring everything runs smoothly, and handing out supplies, of course.
This is Cait’s way of keeping that spirit of unity, love, and support alive… while also educating the youth on what happened that day— in a fun, innocent, and artistic way. It’s extremely beautiful, and I’m honored to get to volunteer with her each year.
I’m also involved with organizations such as The 9/11 Memorial and Museum’s Visionary Network, and I donate to— and frequently attend events hosted by the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund.
I even run in the 9/11 Memorial and Museum 5 K each year— on the official Cantor Fitzgerald Corporate Sponsor team.
I attend and participate in the Voices Symposium whenever I’m able to.
And I constantly use my voice and platform to educate others on 9/11, combat, call out, and stand firmly against terrorism and the radical ideologies that fuel it, and advocate for justice for 9/11 families and all families who’ve lost loved ones to terrorism.
NYT: Over the years, you have remained involved in 9/11 advocacy and volunteer work. How has that experience influenced the person and artist you have become?
Aaron Sand: I think it gives me more of a purpose, and it makes me stronger, bolder, louder, and more outspoken.
It makes me more driven, authentic, and ambitious…
And most importantly, it makes everything more meaningful.
I make music because I have a passion, I have something to say, and because I wanna make a difference.
The advocacy work I do allows me to use the platform I’ve built through music to make a difference.
And my personal experiences make my advocacy work more purposeful, meaningful, and impactful— which is why, while I’d never wanna go through the trauma I’ve been through again, and while it’s terrible that I had to go through it… I’m thankful for it in a weird way… because it made me who I am and it gave me more of a purpose, and more of a chance to make a difference in the world— and in people’s lives.
You see, it all ties together. It’s all connected.
So it’s less about how one part of my life influences the other, and more about how they all mesh together, influence each other, and make me stronger and better in every way.
NYT: What are your long-term goals for your music career?
Aaron Sand: My long-term goals would be to put out albums and tour well into my late years. To make enough money to live comfortably— while maintaining full creative freedom and control over my work. For everyone on my team to fully understand my vision, believe in me, support me, back me, and be proud to work with me. To remain authentic to myself. To make as much of a difference as possible, and change this world for the better. To inspire as many people as possible— in the best ways possible. And to help as many people as possible— in the best ways possible. Another long-term goal is to achieve legend status. I wanna be up there with the greats, with songs that withstand the test of time… like Led Zeppelin, Elvis, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Eagles, Aerosmith, AC/DC; the list goes on.
I have a long way to go, but when you think about the impact those artists have had, the people they’ve inspired, the marks they left, the difference they’ve made, and the music they created— true artistic masterpieces that are absolutely timeless!