SA Music Zone is thrilled to catch up with the dynamic and multifaceted Mark Haze, a powerhouse in the South African music scene. Renowned for his electrifying live performances, captivating vocals, and unparalleled stage presence, Mark has carved out a niche for himself as a versatile rock singer-songwriter, captivating audiences both as a solo artist and with his full band.
Beyond his own original music, Mark’s dedication to paying homage to rock legends through his Bon Jovi tribute shows and Masters of Rock shows has earned him widespread acclaim and a devoted following. As if that weren’t enough, Mark’s prowess extends to the production realm, where he lends his expertise to emerging talents like Daniel J Dunn, Seth Cort, Kat.
In the past year, Mark has navigated personal health challenges and released chart-topping singles and even collaborated with his brother Gareth, showcasing the depth of his artistry and resilience. Join us as we delve into Mark’s journey, aspirations, and the exciting projects on his horizon.
Your live performances have been described as electrifying and soul-stirring. How do you prepare mentally and physically for back-to-back shows, both as a solo artist and with your full band?
“I think it’s become ‘automatic’ at this stage of my career. I like to perform often – I know a lot of artists don’t really settle for smaller shows or regular shows; they tend to go for the big stage events and make it a spectacle wherever possible. I’ve really embraced doing all sorts of venues, from the big show all the way to the intimate home performances and theatre setups, from full electric setups with my whole band to scaled down 2 or 3-piece ones and even acoustic or solo looping performances.”
“The variety often excites me and the fact that I’m able to get in front of different audiences that enjoy different elements of my performance. That’s the mental preparedness I keep to feel like any show is an opportunity to do my art.”
“In terms of preparing physically, I keep active at the gym, I play Padel and Tennis, and I just try to keep an active lifestyle. Eating properly or as healthily as I can, which is hard on the road, makes it possible for me to focus on giving each performance my best effort. I train for the lifestyle and not just to “be fit”.”
“Musicians put their bodies through a lot, not only on stage but also off-stage with the carrying and packing of gear or the long road trips and sleeping in strange hotel beds. A lot of it comes down to personality and enjoyment of what I do – I like meeting new audiences and traveling to new places.”
Your Bon Jovi tribute shows, and ‘Masters of Rock’ shows have garnered a massive following. What is it about these legendary artists that inspired you to pay tribute to them, and how do you ensure your performances capture the essence of their music?
“I think I try to do the music justice by not trying to imitate the original songs. I’ve made it very clear that these shows are tributes in the sense that these artists influenced me in different ways and when all those various ways are put together, it makes the Mark Haze sound.”
” I think people enjoy them because I keep a certain level of authenticity with these shows. These artists are part of my story growing up, and I wanted to share that story. I think people have similar feelings regarding this, and that’s what ties us all together.”
As a producer, you’ve worked with emerging talents like Daniel J Dunn, Seth Cort, and Kat, helping shape their sound and vision. What draws you to collaborating with new artists, and what do you hope to achieve through these collaborations?
“Nobody really took any interest in helping me when I was trying to get a foothold into the music world. There’s still a lot of “who you know” and secret-keeping as well as a lot of backstabbing that takes place. Being talented isn’t always enough – people get overlooked, and the big labels aren’t scouting like they used to do. It’s even heavier in South Africa where most people aren’t actively going out to look for new music.”
“I remember thinking for years, “if somebody could just hear this and put it in front of the right people, it’ll take off.” When I see or hear something or when these new artists are brought to my attention, they’re thinking the exact same thing. I have the choice of doing to them exactly what was done to me, or I can try and make a change in some small way, wherever possible.”
“I also see it as a chance to grow the music industry. There are so many things I’ve learned over the years, and it took me a long time to acquire that knowledge – my thinking is that if I can pass on some of that knowledge to the younger generation, then that could speed up their process to getting somewhere and educate them to avoid the stumbling blocks I’ve had to get past.”
“At the end of the day, I understand that I’m not going to be around forever, and I want to do as much good as I can with the tools that I have at my disposal. A career if mine is already such a great gift, and I know it could fizzle out tomorrow, and people could get bored of me.”
” I’m trying to use my time and energy in a good and positive way, and I hope the people that I help will go from here and do big and great things, but I also hope that they’ll remember how this went for them and they do the same. Imagine that… a music industry that supports each other.”
Your latest single ‘Don’t Say Goodbye’ has resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. Can you share the inspiration behind the song and what message you hope listeners take away from it?
“The song is about not giving up – it’s not over ‘til it’s over. It started off as a simple idea, but the more I worked on it, the more intense the instrumentation became. The song is more music than lyrics, which is quite odd when you think about a single and the fact that it did so well in the charts and streams.”
” I think people resonated with the intensity of the music, kind of like you do when you hear a film score. Lyrics are important, but I was trying to get more across in terms of feeling the music rather than just listening to the words. I’ve gotten so many wonderful messages about the track, and I think it’s doing what I hoped it would.”
Collaborating with your brother Gareth on the heartfelt track ‘Home’ must have been a special experience. How does your dynamic as siblings influence your music-making process, and can we expect more collaborations in the future?
“We were in a band together for a long time – he was my drummer. He also played drums in the Mark Haze project when it began, so we’re very comfortable working together, since we’ve been doing it since we were kids. The difference this time around was that this project is his solo project and not mine and that I’m his producer on it.”
” I added a couple of little ideas onto the track and then did the production on it, so we decided it would be cool to release it as a collab to help get it out of the gates a bit quicker than if he were to do it alone without any help. I loved the song the second I heard his demo, and I wanted as many people to hear it as possible, so I asked to be involved, to which he kindly agreed.”
“We had so much fun on it that we immediately started on tracking guide demos for the rest of his album, which he’s now taken back to the UK and is working on some more instrumentation for the songs. I’ve gotten a few new ones back from him and adding my ideas and production to and we’re working on it intercontinentally, shall we say.”
“He’s easy to work with since each of us obviously knows how the other operates. It’s simple – he writes great songs, and I know what he wants and what he likes, so it’s kind of like still being in a band together.”
You’ve overcome personal health battles in the past year, including undergoing surgery for a back injury. How has this journey impacted your perspective on life and music, and what lessons have you learned along the way?
“I dealt with the injuries to spine for over 14 years – the operation has finally taken away that pain, but it was quite a long recovery process which took me away from doing what I love for most of last year. The nerve damage in my spine affected my left leg badly, so I’ve been performing with a back brace and a leg brace to help move properly on stage.”
“It’s all starting to come back to normal now and could still take another year to fully recover, but I’m happy to be back doing my job and to finally be pain-free. It’s taught me to really take care of my health and listen to my body – this job can be brutal, and as artists, we often sacrifice our health for the sake of the show and the performance.”
“Luckily for me, I’ve been given a second chance at this, and I try to keep fit and strong to do it for as long as possible. I learnt that having a supportive crew, band, and family around me makes all the difference. I was taken care of, and everyone was willing to help wherever possible to keep the ship from sinking.”
“I learnt that my fans and supporters really care about me and the fact that since my return to the stage, they’ve been nothing but positive in all my socials during and after all of this. I meet people at every show, and they all ask about my recovery, and it means the world to me.”
Meeting influential figures like Eddie Jordan must have been an unforgettable experience. How has rubbing shoulders with such icons influenced your approach to music and performance?
“The shows I get to do with Eddie are so different from the usual ones – he always has some big names and incredibly influential people come visit us at the shows. He’s extremely down to earth and always up for a good time, and he’s a constant reminder that no matter how famous you get, it’s important to keep your feet on the ground… and everything is easier with a little whiskey ;)”
“The fame side of this business never really ticked any blocks for me. People are still people, no matter how influential or famous you are; it doesn’t really faze me. I’ve always just enjoyed meeting interesting people and talking. Eddie is the same, and the celebrities and stars that are in our circle are also still that… people. It’s cool just to be able to learn from those people.”
Looking ahead, what can fans expect from Mark Haze in terms of new music and upcoming projects? Any collaborations or exciting ventures on the horizon that you can share with us?
“I’m currently working on a new full-length album. I’m thinking it may be released this year, in between all the other projects at the studio and all the shows I’ve got set up for this year. I’ve got a couple of tours in the pipeline, which will be a good change from the last year, where I had to avoid travel.”
“Kat has a new single and music video that will be dropping very soon that I helped with. I’ve also just recently started working with my old friend Nick Acker, formerly with Semisane, who is taking on a solo project while living in Germany. I’m playing guitar and co-producing with Nic Stolberg who’s up in Denmark – we’re compiling ideas and tracking now.”
With your extensive experience as a performer and producer, what advice would you give to aspiring musicians looking to break into the industry and make a name for themselves?
“There are no rules. Make what you love and let it ride – maybe it’ll be noticed, maybe it won’t. None of that matters. What matters is the music. If you like it, then do it. If you keep doing it, eventually others will listen. Forget fame – it’s a trap.”
Can you share some insights into your favourite gear and guitars? What sets them apart for you as a performer, and do you have any go-to riffs that never fail to get the crowd going?
“Not much to really say here – I’m a simple guy who loves big amps and various guitars for different things. I’m currently working with some friends on making my own signature custom guitar based on the combination of guitars that I like to use. Nothing sets me apart from a gear point of view – it comes down to how I play. It’s about the style, not the outfit ;)”
Are there any other artists or bands you’re considering paying tribute to in the future, and what criteria do you use when selecting material for these shows?
“Michael Wilson-Trollip and I are putting out a Tribute to Toto later this year. We’re also working on a big Christmas show that brings in a lot of the explosive horns and big band sounds where I’m looking to bring in some special guest performers like Kevin Abbott, who completely slays on the swing stuff and Celeste Dreyer to ring in the Motown RnB edginess of the show.”
“When it comes down to it, we choose the songs based on emotion and energy. Firstly, if it speaks to us, secondly if it speaks to fans, and then thirdly, does it kick ass night after night.”
As someone who wears many hats in the music industry, from performer to producer, how do you balance your various roles and ensure each aspect of your career receives the attention it deserves?
“I’ll let you know when I figure that out. Everything basically just works on a calendar… I schedule it and then make it happen. I don’t really think about it too much, I just try to do something every day. I am at my best when I’m busy.”
Are there any up-and-coming artists or bands that you’re particularly excited about or that fans should keep an eye out for?
What qualities do you look for in new talent when considering potential new artists and collaborations
“Jackson Colt is doing cool things – we’ve just started chatting about a possible collaboration soon, but his music is highly energetic, and he’s got mad guitar skills. I also really like a new band called Marene who have totally embraced the big stadium look from the LA 80s rock scene in their performances – total glam excitement and powerful songs.”
“I don’t really have a formula for collabs – it’s normally very organic. We begin working, and sometimes I add enough influence into the song that it turns into a collaboration, but I’m not really working within any specific framework.”
“I know and like a lot of music in various styles and genres, so a good song is simply that for me. I don’t really go out to find new artists – they normally find me 🙂 I think that’s why it works. My door is open.”
“I’m happy to produce and record anyone who needs me, and I do it at a fee that isn’t in line with the big record label overheads. If you’ve got something and like most musicians starting out, you can’t afford the big label price tag or you have no backing from a big label, then I’m your guy.”
Reflecting on your journey as an artist, what have been some of the most memorable moments or milestones thus far, and what do you hope to achieve in the years to come?
“I just want to be able to stay here as long as possible as a contributing factor to the music world. I try not to look back too much. I love what I do, and I hope I get to do it until I die.”
Lastly, if you could collaborate with any musician, living or deceased, who would it be and why? And is there a dream venue or festival you aspire to perform at someday?
“I would’ve loved to do a duet with Freddie Mercury or jam with Eric Clapton. They were both the reason I do what I do, and I always imagined what it would be like to be on the stage with them. There are so many great venues, but truthfully, I’ve performed at so many great places that it would be unfair to single out any others as a dream location.
As we conclude our insightful conversation with Mark Haze, we’re left inspired by his unwavering passion for music, his resilience in the face of adversity, and his unwavering commitment to supporting emerging talent in the industry.
From his electrifying performances to his invaluable contributions as a producer, Mark Haze continues to leave an indelible mark on the South African music landscape. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mark for generously sharing his time and insights with us.
To all our readers, we encourage you to stay connected with Mark Haze and his music journey. Follow him on his social media channels, check out his latest releases, and be part of his ever-growing community of fans. With Mark at the helm, the future of South African music looks brighter than ever … keep rocking!
More info about Mark Haze
Mark Haze, a South African musician, showcases his talent as a singer and songwriter, delivering original material encompassing rock, soul, and blues genres. Renowned for his impressive vocal range, Mark offers a signature blend of high-energy Rock ‘n Roll, ensuring audiences are captivated and dancing along.
Influenced by an array of music icons spanning from classic rock legends like Queen, Led Zeppelin, and The Beatles, to blues virtuosos such as Eric Clapton, B.B. King, and Muddy Waters, and extending to contemporary rock artists like My Chemical Romance, The Used, and Halestorm.
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