From crafting heartfelt tunes in his Arizona bedroom closet at just 15, Makaio Huizar has been steadily building a collection of emotionally resonant indie-pop gems. Now, at 18, he's on the cusp of releasing his latest single, ‘Stars’, a deeply personal track that explores the anxieties and aspirations of a young artist navigating the music world.

Having already garnered thousands of streams with previous releases like ‘Kid’, ‘what am I waiting for?’, and the poignant ‘Dear Little Me...’, with proceeds often benefiting the Mental Health of America Foundation, Makaio is proving to be a voice both vulnerable and vital. We recently caught up with the rising singer-songwriter to chat about his musical origins, the inspiration behind his evocative sound, and the intimate story woven into his highly anticipated new song.

It’s great to be chatting with you today, we’ve been big fans ever since we heard your single ‘what am I waiting for?’ in July last year. When did you first start making music? Where did it all begin, and what inspired you?

“I first started making music in my bedroom closet. I recorded my first song ‘Kid’ in my closet and just randomly released to for fun. But I realised then how happy and proud I was and how it felt to finally say how I felt. I started writing and recording more as a way to cope with things that I was going through.”

“It all began when I was a kid singing in the car or singing in my bed or putting on small performances around my friends in school. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. With my song ‘Kid’ specifically, Gracie Abrams and her song ‘I miss you, I’m sorry’ inspired me to fully record my song.”

You have a new single on the way - can you tell us a bit about it and what it means to you?

“My latest release will be ‘Stars’. I’m very excited to release the song on May 16th. It’s a look into my feelings and how I feel about wanting to be a star. It means a lot to me because it steps away from a “growing up” or “heartbreak” theme and more into a personal and career theme. Stars is a very atmospheric song that has experimental features in terms of melody and instruments. This song is deeply personal to me, and it explores my fears and worries of being an artist. I think it’s common for artists to feel this way, especially for younger, smaller artists.”

Are there any artists, moments, or experiences that influenced you when writing the release?

“Like most of my songs, the writing process was emotional. I write my songs when I feel very down, and I remember being up very late with a piano and just free-styling. I started with the lyrics “I wanna be a star, wanna be star, and make it far”. And that’s when I knew I could work with it. That night I was going to rough moments of doubting myself and not feeling enough to be an artist, but wanting to be one so bad. So those late-night feelings and worries are what influenced me to go to the piano and start free-styling until I found something or felt better.”

It sounds like a very organic process – were there any specific moments that helped bring the song together?

“I started writing the rest of the song after I found the chorus, and somehow the point of view of the song switched. Instead of writing in the first-person point of view, I started writing in the third-person point of view. Which was weird to me, but there was something about it that I liked, and I think have a whole new perspective on the song that I liked, so I kept writing in that point of view. And that’s how ‘Stars’ came to be.”

How would you describe the sound on your latest release? Has there been a change or evolution in style since you first began?

“’Stars’ is a very interesting song for my discography. It’s much more atmospheric, and it feels almost like you’re in space, floating and levitating. It’s very immersive and I experiment with new instruments, synths and methods. I think if you heard my song ‘Town’, you’d like my new song ‘Stars’ as they are similar in ways that they are both immersive and emotional, taking you on an emotional ride.”

Is there a central message or theme you were trying to convey in your latest release? Is there a moment in the release that really captures that idea?

“A message I want to share from my song ‘Stars’ is mainly for people who feel stuck in their lives, about what to do with their career. Especially young, thriving artists trying to put their name out there. I encourage everyone to keep going and fight for what they want and believe in, and someday the stars will align for you. It’s hard growing up and figuring out what you want to do, or knowing what you want to do, and feeling like you aren’t enough or deserving of it. But I want to encourage my young fan base and other artists to keep fighting and keep making our craft and pursue your dreams.”

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations as an artist? Where do you see yourself in the next few years, both musically and personally?

“In a few years, I see myself hopefully touring and living my dream that ‘Stars’ talks about. I hope to be a bigger artist who can afford to do shows and meet my supporters and help advocate for Mental Health along the way.”

What's next after this release? Do you have any new releases or shows on the horizon?

“I have many things planned, but I don’t want to announce anything yet! All I’ll say is I’m making a lot of music, and a lot will be coming my so stay tuned!”

While it’s not officially out yet, what sort of early reception have you had to the new single?

“The reception of ‘Stars’ has been good! I first teased the song online, and many people told me to finish it, so I started working on it. This is a theme for me, I’ll often post demos or little recordings on my Instagram story. After I posted some clips to TikTok, which got thousands of views and good feedback, I decided to finish it, and now it’s promising to be my most anticipated single. I’m excited to release it and see the feedback on the full song.”

Is there anything you would like to say to our audience? How can they connect with you and help support you?

“I would wanna say thank you for reading all of this and being interested in getting to know me, my music and what I stand for! It’s an honour to be introduced to new audiences. The best way to support me would be by following my Instagram to keep up with all the news, or on streaming platforms, and I also have merch available on my website!

“I’m a small independent artist, so all the support means so much to me. I make sad bedroom pop music, so if that interests you, you can check me out on social media and streaming platforms. Another way to help and support is by showing your friends or family about this new awesome artist you just found.”

It's clear that music isn't just a hobby for Makaio Huizar; it's a fundamental part of who he is and a powerful means of expression. With a string of compelling singles already under his belt and an exciting new release on the horizon, this young artist is one to watch. His dedication to his craft, coupled with a genuine desire to connect with listeners on an emotional level, suggests a bright future indeed. We eagerly await the arrival of ‘Stars’ and look forward to seeing where his musical journey takes him next.

For more from Makaio Huizar, be sure to check out his website or connect via Instagram and TikTok.