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| Makua - Photo by David Harris |
Makua Rothman’s new single “
Catch A Wave” with
AWOLNATION marks a defining step in his evolution from world-class big wave champion to fully realized alt-rock frontman. The collaboration pairs Makua’s raw, ocean-forged grit with the anthemic production style of Aaron Bruno, creating a track that builds like a rising swell before crashing into a soaring, arena-ready chorus. Their chemistry — strengthened during
AWOLNATION’s 2025 Phantom Five Tour — feels natural and earned, not manufactured. “Catch A Wave” isn’t just a feature; it’s a statement.
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Aaron Bruno - AWOLNATION - Irving Plaza, NYC
Photo by David Harris |
That momentum carried directly into
Makua’s opening set for G. Love & Special Sauce on their 20th Anniversary tour celebrating Lemonade. Makua commanded the stage with the same controlled intensity he brings to the ocean. Songs like “
The One and Only” and “
God And The Devil” showcased his soulful, melodic instincts — emotionally grounded yet hook-driven — while “
Pill E. DaKid” leaned into a darker, modern alt-rock pulse. His cover of Jane’s Addiction’s “Been Caught Stealing” stood out as a groove-heavy reinterpretation, muscular and distinctly his own.
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| Makua and Jimmy Messer - Photo by David Harris |
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Makua - Ridgefield, CT
Photo by David Harris |
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| Jimmy Messer - Photo by David Harris |
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Makua - Photo by David Harris
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Opening for a band as seasoned as G. Love & Special Sauce is no small task, but Makua didn’t feel like a supporting act — he felt like an artist in ascent. The pairing makes sense: surf culture, blues undertones, authenticity over flash. G. Love’s laid-back groove and Makua’s rising alt-rock charge created a seamless throughline for the night.
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Jimmy Messer and Makua - Irving Plaza, NYC 2025
Photo by David Harris
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Makua continues supporting G. Love on select dates:
02/26 – Las Vegas, NV – #Happens Alternative Radio Conference
02/27 – San Luis Obispo, CA – SLO Brew Rocks**
02/28 – Stateline, NV – Harrah’s Lake Tahoe – South Shore Room**
03/01 – Menlo, CA – The Guild Theatre**
03/04 – Chico, CA – The Big Room at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.**
03/05 – Medford, OR – Holly Theatre**
03/06 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater**
03/07 – Bellingham, WA – Wild Buffalo**
03/08 – Tacoma, WA – Spanish Ballroom at the Elks Temple**
03/11 – Park City, UT – The Marquis Park City**
03/12 – Teton Village, WY – Mangy Moose**
03/13 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theatre**
06/12 – Redmond, OR – Reggae Rise Up
06/20 – Virginia Beach, VA – Point Break Festival
(**Supporting G. Love & Special Sauce)
If “Catch A Wave” is any indication, Makua isn’t just opening shows — he’s building his own.
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