Artist Spotlight: Catching Up with Rock Powerhouse Mark Haze
We had the opportunity to catch up with rock powerhouse Mark Haze. Over the past decade he has built a reputation for high-voltage performances, soulful songwriting and studio wizardry. With a busy live schedule – from full-band rock tributes to intimate solo shows – we delve into his new production projects (both his own and those of emerging artists), explore what’s been fuelling his creative fire, how his passion for Padel keeps him in top form, and what sonic adventures await on his forthcoming album.
Q: Your live-gig calendar runs the gamut from full-band Masters of Rock tributes to stripped-back solo shows – what’s your process for curating setlists and dialling in on-stage energy for such varied formats, and which recent performance has surprised you the most?
Mark: Each show starts with one question: What does this audience need tonight? Whether it’s a full-blown rock spectacle or an intimate acoustic set, I build the setlist like a journey – pacing the emotional highs and lows, mixing crowd favourites with deeper cuts that speak to the moment. With my band it’s all about synergy and power; solo shows let me strip things down and connect more personally. Obviously, I have a setlist laid out for each show, based on experience or highlighted numbers I really want to play, but the team knows that I could swing things in a different direction at any point. It’s why people come to see live shows instead of just listening to the songs at home – the audience interaction is vital to how the shows evolve over the course of an evening, and it’s shaped how I’ve developed as a performer over time.
One surprise gig was a solo show in a tiny coastal town – no fancy lights, no big stage, just me and a guitar. I had serious doubts that it would match the quality of my other shows. The budget was low, and the venue’s comfort and safety were questionable at best. The energy in that room that night was electric. It reminded me that sometimes less really can be more. I had to rely solely on musicality and interaction with the crowd. Lights, smoke and the big show will always be amazing, but sometimes you get to be in quieter moments.It’s in those moments that I feel I’m no longer in control. I’m reminded that every performance is another chance to reflect God’s grace by letting this gift I’ve received flow out and share that light with others.
Q: You and your brother Gareth co-produced and releasedthe recent folk-rock singles ‘Home’ and ‘Never Have I Ever’ (despite being in Cape Town and London). What unique challenges and rewards have you encountered crafting music remotely, and how is that cross-continental synergy influencing the sound of your upcoming album?
Mark: Working remotely with Gareth has been a wild mix of WhatsApp voice notes, Dropbox folders and several emails.The challenge is missing that instant feedback loop you get when you’re together in a studio – but the reward is that we each bring fresh perspective from our different environments. At the same time, having worked together and being brothers who grew up together helps immensely: we share early musical influences and a mutual understanding that smooths the process.
That distance is shaping the album’s sound more than I think we realised – it’s more layered and more intentional. There’s a blend of folk warmth and rock grit that reflects our roots, but the miles between us have shown us different things and shaped our tastes in subtle ways. We go through things together, but also apart, if that makes sense. For us, news turns into feelings, which turns into sound.
Q: As a performer whose setup has been spotlighted in guitar-gear circles and magazines, can you walk us through your current rig setup – favourite guitars, amps, pedals and all – and share how each piece helps you fuse rock, soul and blues into the signature tone your fans recognize?
Mark: Right now, my go-to workhorse is my Epiphone Les Paul Custom with vintage pickups – it gives me creamy sustain for solos but still bites when I dig in with the riffs.Amp-wise, I lean on Blackstar for its ability to move between Marshall-style and Fender-style tones – chime and warmth for the bluesier parts, paired with more British tones when I need extra punch. Pedal-wise, I’m loving the Mooer GE-200, a great amp modeller and multi-effects unit that helps me create specific patches for each song or guitar.
Each piece is like a voice in the choir – together they let me move between soulful ballads and full-throttle rock without losing my sonic identity. At the end of the day, the gear means nothing unless you can make the sound work. Eddie Van Halen used to say the tone is in the fingers. It goes beyond the gear – it’s the message that matters. I want my tone, sound and style to carry truth: to stir something deeper in people. Whether it’s joy, conviction or comfort, I always want the music to reveal more than just notes on an instrument.
Q: On your socials you’ve called Padel an “addiction,” taking every weather window to hit the courts – how does this fast-paced racquet sport help you reset between shows and studio sessions, and do you ever find parallels between the rhythm of padel and the flow of a live set?
Mark: Padel is my ‘reset button’! It’s fast, strategic and keeps me mentally sharp. When I’m on the court I’m not thinking about mixes, setlists, travel or songs – I’m just reacting, moving, breathing. You need some quiet in your mind to do this job, and there aren’t many quiet moments – at least none that I know how to create on my own. If you can find balance, that clarity spills over into the music. Funny enough, there’s a rhythm to games like padel or tennis – the back-and-forth, the build-up to a smash – that mirrors the dynamics of a live show. You learn to read the room, anticipate energy shifts and stay present. I’m competitive, but I don’t let whether I’m winning or losing affect my attitude on or off the court. After my back surgery, I used padel to help with my rehabilitation.
I’m not a fan of the gym and I needed to be much more mobile on stage than I was. Physio can only do so much, and I needed something that forced me out of my head regardingthe hindrances caused by my spine injury. Padel and tennis helped massively – you don’t have time to notice issues; you just must react. Before I knew it, I was recovering much faster; my fitness levels went up and my stage performance is now better than before the operation. I joke about it being an addiction, but I’m very grateful for the sport and the people I’ve met through it.
Sometimes my body doesn’t react the way I want it to, but I choose to remember that it wasn’t that long ago that I almost lost the ability to use my body entirely, so instead I smile, say a quiet prayer in my head and say, ‘Thank you, Lord’. It’s exactly how I choose to operate on stage or in the studio – I’m blessed to be able to do something I’m good at; people want to come and watch me; people like my songs and production; other musicians want to work with me and value my opinion. Sometimes you mess up a line or a note, sometimes it’s not what the client wanted, or it’s not the best guitar solo you’ve done. Big picture – I’m still here and I’m giving everything I’ve got.
Q: You’ve built a reputation off-stage too, producing for artists like Seth Cort, KAT and many more – what prompted your transition into the producer’s chair, and what excites you most about nurturing emerging talents in your Cape Town studio?
Mark: Producing was a natural evolution. I’ve always loved the storytelling side of music and helping other artists find their voice is incredibly rewarding. It started with friends asking for help (we even kept my name off the credits at first so the focus remained on the performer) – I thought I might do more production one day, perhaps when I was too old and ugly to front my own stuff. Then Covid struck and I found myself learning to engineer and taking on odd backtrack jobs for friends and students. Before I knew it, I was deep in arrangements, vocal coaching and sonic sculpting.
What excites me most is the raw potential – that moment when an artist hears their song fully realised and says, ‘That’s me.’ Our country has so much untapped talent, and I’m honoured to be part of shaping the next wave.
Q: With a new record in the works, can you share any thematic directions or sonic experiments you’re exploring in the studio – and is there a particular track or moment fans should be eagerly awaiting when the full album drops?
Mark: This album is about the duality of life – light and shadow, power and vulnerability. Sonically, I’m blending analogue warmth with digital textures, experimenting with layered vocals and unexpected instrumentation. I’m working with Michael Wilson-Trollip, who is executive producer on the album. He understands what I’m trying to convey on each song and has brought some interesting new ideas to the process, which I love.
We’re currently finishing the first single, which is called ‘What Do I Do?’ – that’s a real departure. It starts with a simple synth line and drum beat alongside a stripped vocal and builds into a cinematic wall of sound. It’s raw and emotional, and I think fans will feel something deep when they hear it. I can’t wait to get it out there.
Whether Mark Haze is opening for international rock legends in a packed arena, lighting up national television, fronting a full-blown rock tribute, or holding a room captive with just his voice and guitar – if there’s one thing that defines Mark Haze, it’s his ability to turn every stage into an unforgettable experience. With new music on the horizon and his creative momentum in full swing, now is the perfect time to catch Mark live and witness the magic for yourself.
Check out his upcoming gig guide below and make sure to experience the power, soul, and energy of Mark Haze in person – you won’t regret it.
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Mark Haze Gig Guide
SAT 23 AUG – Kapstadt Brauhaus in Langebaan (Solo Performance)
• FRI 29 AUG – Kleinplaas Holiday Resort in Oudtshoorn (Steelwings MC Breede River Annual Winter Rally)
• SAT 6 SEP – Café Roux in Noordhoek (Masters of Rock Tribute)
• FRI 12 SEP – Fair Cape Golf Day at Arabella (Masters ofRock Tribute)
• SAT 13 SEP – Die Palms Restaurant (Solo Performance)
• TUE 23 SEP – Heroes Restaurant in Durbanville / Brackenfell (Bon Jovi Tribute)
• FRI 26 SEP – Cape Gate Mall (Stormers Rugby Event)
• FRI 3 OCT – Hermanus Golf Club (Queen Tribute with The Family Band)
• SAT 11 OCT – Heroes Restaurant in Durbanville / Brackenfell (One Direction Tribute)
• SAT 8 NOV – Reload in Table View (An Intimate Musical Experience Solo Show)
• FRI 14 NOV – Heroes Restaurant in Durbanville / Brackenfell (Masters of Rock Tribute)
• SAT 15 NOV – Reed Valley in Mossel Bay (Queen Tribute with The Family Band)
• FRI 5 DEC – Hermanus Golf Club (Bon Jovi Tribute)
• SAT 6 DEC – Die Koelkamers in Paternoster (Masters ofRock Tribute)
• WED 31 DEC – New Years Eve at Reed Valley in Mossel Bay (Masters of Rock Tribute)
About Mark Haze
South African Singer-Songwriter and full-time touring musician Mark Haze is known for his wide vocal range and electric large live performances. Mark skilfully delivers a signature combination of high energy Rock ‘n Roll and silky Old-school Soul, fused with raw emotional Blues … guaranteed to have audiences singing along on their feet!
On-stage Mark oozes charisma, with the distinctive ability to confidently command both large audiences and personally connect with audiences in intimate venues – not an easy task when moving from large stages with a full band to a smaller acoustic setup where he is face to face with the audience. His powerful soaring vocals, skilled soulful guitar playing, and pulsing rhythms are a force to be reckoned with, delivering a show experience like no other – an escape into a world where nothing else matters, where you find yourself lost in the moment and his music. Each performance is treated as though it would be his last.
Off-stage, Mark shows appreciation for his fans, always taking the time to meet them at every show. Mark shares that “I believe to really love music, is to find the beauty in all forms and genres and embrace it”
Mark is a natural showman with influences ranging from Rock Icons like Queen, The Beatles & Lenny Kravitz, Blues Masters Eric Clapton & B.B. King, to modern artists like eBruno Mars, The Weekend, Fallout Boy & Jack Garrat. Mark is known for experimenting sonically, merging contemporary Pop & Electronic Cultures with the historic timelessness and beauty of Rock, Soul, and Blues.
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• Website http://www.markhaze.com
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• Instagram https://instagram.com/RealMarkHaze
• Twitter https://x.com/RealMarkHaze
• YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/MarkHaze
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Photo Credits Danie Nel