MAKUA, the alternative rock project fronted by Big Wave World Champion Makua Rothman, has released his blistering new single “Shut Em Up” across all digital platforms. Fueled by pounding energy, raw emotion, and an unfiltered sense of rebellion, the track arrives alongside a playful yet chaotic new music video directed by Ely Kreutz & Makua Rothman that visualizes the mental tug-of-war between negativity and self-control.
“This song is written about that little evil MF’R in your head,” said MAKUA. “Too often do we let that voice distract us from what it is we are trying to accomplish in life. The voice in our head or the world around us, its time to tell them to fuck off and take back concious control of our life.”
Driven creatively by multi-platinum producer Jimmy Messer, MAKUA continues to carve out a lane that blends explosive alternative rock with the fearless spirit Rothman brings to the world’s biggest waves. The project has quickly built momentum through relentless touring and major festival appearances alongside acts including AWOLNATION, Sublime, Green Day, Cage the Elephant, Khruangbin, Kings of Leon, and Wet Leg at major festivals including Ohana Festival, BottleRock Napa Valley, and BeachLife Festival.
“Shut Em Up” follows the release of “Catch A Wave,” MAKUA’s powerful collaboration with AWOLNATION that dropped earlier this year. Inspired by loss, brotherhood, and life in the water, the single marked the beginning of an ambitious new chapter for the project. Now, with “Shut Em Up,”MAKUA doubles down with an uncompromising anthem aimed directly at the internal voices and outside distractions that pull people away from their purpose. The single is currently climbing the Alternative Radio charts sitting just outside the Top 40.
The track captures the frustration, chaos, and determination that comes with fighting through self-doubt, transforming those emotions into a cathartic rallying cry. With a full-length album on the horizon and touring planned across North America, Europe, and beyond, MAKUA is quickly emerging as one of alternative rock’s most unpredictable and exciting new forces.
MAKUA will hit the road this summer on the Mostly Coasts headlining tour.
Stream “Shut Em’ Up” online HERE
MAKUA TOUR DATES:
May 22 – Gold Coast, AU @ JS Surfboard Factory
May 23 – Gold Coast, AU @ Miami Marketta Gold Coast
May 26 – Byron Bay, AU @ BYRON BAY Surf Hotel with Moebius
May 29 – Taren Point, AU @ Dylan Surfboards Cronulla
May 30 – Gold Coast, AU @ Burleigh Heads Beach
June 6 – Menlo Park, CA @ The Guild Theatre
June 7 – Venice, CA @ Venice West
June 9 – Morro Bay, CA @ The Siren
June 11 – Felton, CA @ Felton Music Hall
June 12 – Redmond, OR @ Reggae Rise Up
June 20 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Point Break Festival
June 24 – Jacksonville, FL @ Albatross
June 25 – Winter Park, FL @ Conduit
June 26 – Tampa, FL @ New World Brewery
July 30 – Thornville, OH @ EVERWILD
Sept. 20 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Sea.Hear.Now Festival.
