Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shuteye. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Shuteye, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I think all of us in the band can agree that our second project, Just Watch, is the most meaningful thing we’ve created so far. The original working title was Rats Get Fat While Pretty Girls Starve, which is a nod to our view of society and the crushing expectations that come with simply existing. As the songs took shape, it stopped feeling like an album about resistance, and it became something entirely different—something about endurance. Once we recognized this shift, the title became Just Watch, as in: “Alright… watch this.”

Before beginning this project, Shuteye was something that each of us enjoyed and saw as a kind of passion project, but somewhere along the way, a quiet understanding settled in among us. We realized that this isn’t just a side project or a fun little hobby anymore—if we do it right, we might make something bigger than ourselves.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Formed in Nashville, Tenn., we started Shuteye as a hail mary. After years of solo work underscored by addiction and burnout, Jake Marcov (vox and guitar) was ready to quit music altogether before getting sober and putting out one final call for bandmates. The first to answer was Aidan Sloppy (bass) in 2023. Then came Zach Cardenas (drums) and Anthony De La Rosa (guitar)—the result: a gritty, working class sound built on connection and controlled chaos.

An homage to our signature punchy one-liners and nuanced lyrics, the name Shuteye, an old carnival term used when illusionists convinced themselves their tricks were magic and not a sleight of hand, was chosen.

Our sound is dynamic, cathartic and deeply personal, featuring lyrics rooted in lived experience–the good, bad and ugly. No gimmicks. Just noise.

It’s incredibly challenging to find a group of people who share common goals, have aligned visions, and are willing to invest a significant amount of time, energy, and resources into a band, so we collectively feel as though the most difficult part is done—getting the right people in one room to make music together.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Definitely. I (Flick) was pretty lonely growing up, and though at the time it felt like no one could possibly understand, I’ve since learned that I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Music has always been what I turned to when I wanted to feel understood. Listening to people whom I admired share their stories and relate to how I felt was cathartic. I’d study my favorite artists and get lost in their songs, and it was like having a friend who understood me—something I couldn’t find in my small Iowa town.

The goal of creating anything has always been to become a similar source of catharsis, community, and comfort for someone else. Shuteye makes music that brings people together, fosters a sense of belonging, and creates a space where individuals can find strength and solidarity.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Our driving force has always been building a community where every voice is heard, respected, and inspired, so it’s been extremely rewarding to create something that people connect with on a personal level.

Regardless of how many years of experience you have, it’s always an interesting experience to pour yourself into a piece of art and have others see themselves in it and assign their own meaning to it. Creating art is one of the most vulnerable things a person can do, so it’s always somewhat scary to put yourself out there in that way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shuteyeband.com
• Instagram: Shuteye.tn
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShuteyeTennessee

Image Credits

@poolnoodletycoon2 @_lanceadkins @morganxnewell @Annekes.archive