#MusicExchange: Idols SA star Mark Haze is back with a brand-new album

“The song is about the dark and light side in every person. The people that we are with can sometimes bring that out in us and sometimes that’s what you want and need. Somehow the bad things in life can lead to good things in life,” says Haze.

It’s been five years since his last solo album release.

I caught up with Haze last week

The new decade means:

I don’t really read or work like that; I try to take things one day at a time.

Fame is about:

Fame means nothing – it’s absolutely useless. It comes and goes daily. Hard work brings results and sometimes that causes temporary fame, but the result of the hard work is what matters.

Retirement will happen when:

When pigs fly!

I don't do:

Shark cage diving – I’m petrified.

What does music mean to you?

It’s what starts, fills and ends my day. It’s what makes me get up for work every day. It’s quite literally the soundtrack to my life.

My music is about:

People, feelings, places, situations, my life, your life, the world. Most importantly, my music is hopefully something that makes you feel. It can be anything, even good or bad, but that’s what art does – it evokes an emotion.

Image: Supplied

Where do you go for inspiration to create?

I just sit and think – there’s so much happening and so much to talk about. The trick is just to single out one thing and put it into words and music.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?

Performing live is my favourite. Nothing beats the feeling you get from the crowd at shows.

The song you must do in every show?

The last one, sadly.

Any funny moments on stage:

Just recently, I had a person come tell me how fantastic a singer his daughter was and that I should allow her to come and sing. I always find those situations uncomfortable, as it’s usually a bit rude to ‘remove’ the person that was paid to be on stage, just to flaunt their own talents and somewhat ‘hijack’ the opportunity for exposure. However, in this case, I thought to let the person come up and sing. Unfortunately, she was completely tone-deaf and wasn’t able to sing well at all. Still, I smiled and the audience encouragingly and politely clapped after she was done. Afterwards, I was pulled aside by her parents and told off, as they felt that I somehow had sabotaged her performance by “making her nervous” or “not letting her hear the sound properly on stage”. They then decided to show me various videos of her on YouTube to prove that she could do it well. Talk about awkward! :)

My heroes:

Queen is still my favorite band of all time. When it comes to songwriting and production, I am still chasing after The Beatles. As a guitarist, I am heavily influenced by Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Brian May and Eddie Van Halen.

My style icon:

I’ve always kind of just followed my own vibe when it comes to dressing on stage, but I borrow a lot from the ‘80s rock scene. But I don’t think I follow any particular style – I wear what makes me feel cool.

Image: Supplied

Which living person do you admire most and why?

My wife, Shelley. She’s always supported me in this life and career and she’s been such a great influence when it comes to being good to people and raising our children to be the same. She’s the person who knows me the best in this world and she somehow, always knows how to help me and support me.

What is your most treasured possession?

My 2005 USA Black and White Fender Stratocaster. It was the first guitar that I bought with my own money.

It’s your round, what are you drinking?

Pina Colada on holiday; whiskey on the rocks every other day.

What makes you stand out?

I have long hair and a beard, I’m 6 foot with a loud voice.

Nicknames:

Haze, Muckhuzzey.

If you were not a musician, what would you do?

Play golf or tennis.

Who would play you in a Hollywood blockbuster and why?

Jack Black; he knows why – go ask him.

Image: Supplied

What books are you reading?

Mostly my kids’ bedtime stories – ‘The Three Little Pigs’ is a real page turner! :)

What is your favourite word?

I can’t say that on here… “#@c*” (hint).

Favourite fashion garment:

Shoes. I have so many different sneakers. Shoes are my thing.

Your greatest achievement:

I am very humbled at the fact that I was able to transition out of a standard nine-to-five job and into a full-time music career. I think the fact that I’m still here and still bringing out new material is something that I can never not be grateful for.

What do you complain about most often?

Corruption.

What is your fear?

Sharks and the fact that in the water, I think that I resemble a very tasty seal.

On stage, I tend to:

Blank out for the first two songs. I’m completely taken over by the music and the audience. I only really come around by the third song when I start to talk to the crowd.

The best life lesson you have been taught:

Life’s too short to deal with one-ply toilet paper

Where would you like to be right now?

Back on stage. The amount of loss I feel thanks to the restrictions during the Covid-19 lockdown has been tough on all of the artists out there. Live performance is only one of the factors in this job, but even though I am able to work on new material, produce other artists and even experiment during this time, the stage is the end result. It’s where you take the music to when all the other things are done. There’s a real sense of incompleteness floating about and I’m praying for things to settle down so we can all get back out there and try to bring some joy into people’s lives again. And, by doing so, bring joy into my life.

Wishes and dreams:

Live life to the fullest and stay healthy.

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