From Oceanside to Arizona: The Story Behind Makaio Huizar’s What Do You Want To Be When You’re Older?
An avocado tree once stood outside Makaio Huizar’s childhood home in Oceanside, California. It becomes a quiet symbol in his debut EP, representing something both grounding and complicated.
Raised in a large family of eight siblings, Huizar’s early years were shaped by financial strain and emotional distance. Those formative experiences now surface across What Do You Want To Be When You’re Older?, released April 24.
Relocating to Arizona marked more than a change in geography. It marked a psychological shift. The songs reflect distance, not only from place, but from childhood versions of himself.
“Oceanside” revisits memory. “Father” confronts longing. “Town” transforms environment into metaphor. Each track reframes lived experience into sonic texture.
Rather than dramatizing hardship, Huizar translates it into atmosphere. His approach remains subtle. The emotion is present, but controlled.
This is not nostalgia for the past. It is examination of it.
Presave the EP Now: http://Makaiohuizar.tunelink.to/whatdoyouwanttobewhenyoureolder
At just 18 years old, Arizona-based singer-songwriter Makaio Huizar is emerging as a distinct voice in independent alternative pop, blending elements of bedroom pop, folk pop, dream pop, and atmospheric songwriting into deeply personal music. With over 355,000 total streams across his catalog — including breakout tracks “What Am I Waiting For?” and “Town” — Makaio has steadily built a dedicated audience drawn to his confessional lyricism and immersive sound.
His upcoming debut EP, What Do You Want To Be When You’re Older?, out April 24, unfolds like a series of diary entries that explore identity, mental health, family dynamics, love, accountability, and the uncertainty of growing up. Each of the seven tracks offers emotional honesty and narrative cohesion, peaking with the expansive closer “Stars,” where Makaio answers the central question of the project with quiet ambition: he wants to be a star.
Raised in Oceanside, California, in a large family shaped by struggle and resilience, Makaio channels lived experience into music that resonates with listeners navigating change, confusion, and self-discovery. Recognized in 2025 by Broken8Records as an “Artist To Watch” and “One of Arizona’s Most Promising Young Artists,” he is positioning himself as a defining voice for a generation that values vulnerability over spectacle.
Presave the EP Now: http://Makaiohuizar.tunelink.to/whatdoyouwanttobewhenyoureolder
Connect with Makaio Huizar and stream his music:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmakaiohuizar?igsh=M251bG9oanZ2dzYz&utm_source=qr
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsmakaiohuizar?_r=1&_t=ZP-91theC4KzIl
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4iHVWZaNqFWl0woiEtFrLj?si=s8hFNRu1QECUpseiQirlxg
- Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/makaio-huizar/1712378059
- YouTube: https://youtube.com/@makaiohuizar?si=ohqbJH_INLjflOGj
