the full profile of Mark Haze

PRESS KIT
* Biography *
* Discography *
* History *
* The Future *
* Sponsors *
* Videos *
* Websites *
* Media *
* Contact Details *
Biography
I’ve always dreamed of being a musician and performing in front of thousands, recording songs and having them played on radios and
televisions all over the world, travelling to different places to play my music to different people … I am finally living that dream!
I was born in Goodwood, a suburb of Cape Town in South Africa and grew up in the city of Bellville.
Our house was always filled with music - It was around me from a very young age. My parents say that when I was 2 years old, they would
find me standing in front of the Hi-Fi singing at the top of my lungs to Bruce Springsteen, Queen, DuranDuran, and many others. Even then, I
loved performing in front of people. My grandmother would play the piano, my grandfather would sing along to it – A fantastic Tenor, who
performed regularly as a soloist in the Church Choir. My father used to play in a rock band in his youth, and we would often go watch my
Uncle Trevor perform in his band on weekends. I guess you could say that music was always around me.
At the age of 4, I was asked to sing in front of our Church – a story my parents still proudly tell when they have guests – they like to boast
at the fact that I had to do several encores. When I turned 7, I was enrolled in piano lessons in school. It was at that time, after seeing my
Uncle play, that I begged my parents to get me a guitar. I played it night and day and learned riffs from my favourite songs.
I really took a liking to the Blues, and for a long time I idolised the greats, like Eric Clapton, BB King, and Muddy Waters.
When I started at high school, I began delving into my father’s LP collection and learnt about the classic Rock bands of the 60s and 70s,
namely Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen to name a few. They became my refuge, my happy place – something that was
mine. I started reading up about these artists, mimicking their antics on videos that I found and borrowed and idolised their very existence.
The older I got, the more their lyrics affected me – helped me to realise how music can help others and transport us to another universe.
I started writing my own songs and took music theory courses at school to better understand the inner workings. It was then that I really
started to learn about the history and beauty of music through the ages. Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and Tchaikovsky helped to show me the
other end of the spectrum. The other students in my classes shared their knowledge of Jazz and R&B and I in turn showed them what I knew
about the Rock n’ Roll side of things.
I learned how to play the drums, had a go at the trumpet and harmonica and even took classical guitar lessons. I performed in a few Jazz
bands during school, and also started playing drums in the school Orchestra and Marching Band. All these things helped me to see the overall
picture of music – I used these influences and incorporated them into my own Rock n’ Roll style. However, I desperately wanted to get out
there and start performing my own songs and start my own band.
When I left school, I did just that… My first band, Novus ended as abruptly as it began. We played a few pub gigs, but weren’t able to keep
it together. I was asked to join a more established group in the Indie music scene called, Liquid Sky. I stayed with the band as their
guitarist for just over a year, but desperately felt the need to sing, so I left. I worked with several cover bands and guested with many other
projects - nothing I could really sink my teeth into.
I then started the band, 12th Avenue in 2001. We had our share of ups and downs, but were a good band. We managed to record 4 albums
together – none really scraping the surface of the music industry, but we did manage to get a decent following. We had 2 number 1 songs on
a few radio stations and a couple of top 10 tracks, but with every success came one disappointment after the next. Band members leaving to
carry on with “real life”, Management stealing money from us, false promises from indie record labels – the list goes on and on.
I never lost hope throughout all of this. There was always that chance that something would come along one day, as long as I continue to
work hard and believe in myself and my songs.
It was around this time that I had come up with what was to be my credo: “Rock n’ Roll will save the world”
I coined the phrase one night - I remember performing at a show and at one point during one of my songs, the crowd all started to sing along.
I’ve noticed it at many shows since, and not just at my own. What I mean is, it’s that moment, where nothing else in the world matters.
When for just a few minutes, everyone is joined together in a moment of peace and happiness – a crowd together as one.
That, right there, is why I love music!
In 2010, I went to the USA on a part holiday/part record label hunt. My friends and I went to Disneyworld and while there, my wife
convinced me to enter “The American Idol Experience” – a shortened day-long version of the television show. To my surprise, they were very
impressed with me and put me into the competition. I ended up winning! This entitled me to a Golden Ticket, which meant that I was able to
enter American Idol and not have to stand in the queues, but go directly to perform for the judges.
Disaster struck again with the fact that I did not have enough money to get back to the States to audition, nor would I have enough money to
leave my job in South Africa to live in the USA on the off-chance that I may go further in the competition. It seemed that it was becoming
more and more apparent that my dream of being a full-time musician was drifting further from my reach. In fact, many of my friends were
telling me that perhaps it was time to throw in the towel and focus on being a normal guy with a normal job.
However, winning the competition gave me so much more confidence to persevere – I made the decision to enter South African Idols.
I had no delusions – this was going to be tough! A contestant from a Rock n’ Roll background has never done well in the SA Idols
competition. I never expected to go to the top 2, but I really just enjoyed the opportunity to be able to work and perform every day –
something I was never able to do. Prior to participating in Idols, I had a 9 to 5 job, and performed on weekends with my band. I was able to
show the country what I could do and round by round I crept my way to the finale, where I ended in second place and had gained many fans
in the process.
I am eternally grateful to all the people who watched the show and voted for me, because they believed in me. These fans are still at my
shows today and continue to show their support by buying my albums and downloading my singles. I am in no way disappointed at my Idols
result. The competition gave me so much exposure. I was picked up for a recording contract with Universal Records and am playing shows
all over the country as well as across the borders with my band.
I have had the opportunity to perform alongside some of the world’s greatest musicians, as well as meet people from all over the world. The
variety in the shows that I am able to do keeps me on my toes and I am very excited at every opportunity that continues to come my way.
Throughout everything I’ve gone through and will continue to go through, I know that I am truly blessed to be able to do what I love to do
and have always dreamed of doing every day.
It’s because of this, that I perform every show as if it was my last!
Mark has officially been signed with Universal Music Group as of December 2011. For more details visit: Universal Press Release
MARK HAZE BIOGRAPHY
BJORN FAREE BIOGRAPHY
GARETH HAZE BIOGRAPHY
BRIAN LEE BIOGRAPHY
Discography
12th Avenue released albums between 2005-2011. Mark Haze will be releasing an album in May/June 2012.
Crazy - 5 Tracks
Insane - 11 Tracks
Release Date: 2005
Label: Independent
Synopsis: 12th Avenues first EP. Part 1 of the
trilogy.
Release Date: 2007
Label: Independent
Synopsis: 12th Avenues first full length album.
Part 2 of the trilogy.
Sober - 12 Tracks
12th Avenue - 6 Tracks
Release Date: 2008
Label: Musketeer Records
Synopsis: 12th Avenues second full length
album. Part 3 and final chapter of the trilogy.
Release Date: 2011
Label: 12A Records
Synopsis: 12th Avenues self titled EP
Written, Produced, Engineered & Recorded by
12th Avenue.
Hearts on Fire – SINGLE - 1 Track
Out of My Head - SINGLE - 1 Track
Release Date: 2010
Label: 12A Records
Synopsis: Free Single released as a preview to
future album.
Release Date: 2011
Label: Universal
Synopsis: Marks single released as Runner-up
Idol in Season 7 of Idols South Africa.
Alone – 1 Track
Where Angels Fear to Fly - 14 Tracks
Release Date: 2012
Label: Universal Music Group
Synopsis: 2nd Single off Where Angels Fear to
Fly Album.
Release Date: 2012
Label: Universal Music SA
Synopsis: Mark Haze’s Debut Album
History
VENUES + FESTIVALS:
Mark Haze has performed at:
Western Cape:
Grandwest Arena
Rocking the Daisies
Noisefest
RAMfest
Cape Town Festival
Animals Rock Festival
Bootsnall Music Festival
Swallow Rally
Maynardville
Rock the Bay
MatiesJool
V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre
Purple Turtle
Mercury Live and Lounge
Corner Bar
Dockside
Independent Armchair
Dizzys’
Nameless Pub
Berties Mooring
Cool Running’s Long Street
Cool Running’s Observatory
Kunskafee
Klein Libertas
Stones Tableview
Ku De Ta
Zula Bar
Hidden Cellar
House of Rasputin
Blizzards
Kaktus Langebaan
Cheetahs
Leonz Pub
Edgemead High School
Grand Daddy Hotel
Plaasteater
Die Boer
Jamrock Theatre
De Waal Park
Buckleys
Fairmont Festival
Speakeasy Saloon
Dorpstraat
The Brass Bell
Johannesburg, Pretoria & Bloem:
Standard Bank Arena
Joburg Burning
Cool Runnings Fourways
Sun to Moon Festival
Tings an Times
The Blues Room
Roxy Rhythm Bar
Zeplins
Back 2 Basix
Mystic Boer Bloemfontein
Firkin Centurion
Gig Tyd Boksburg
Silverstar Casino
Rumours Lounge
Sinkshack
The Bioscope
Cafe Barcelona
The Bohemian
Port Elizabeth, Durban & Others:
Wavehouse
NMMU Sports Centre
Buccaneers
Tempos
Tappas
Burn
The Music Kitchen
The Jam Shack Theatre
Tamboekie Fees
Barnyard Theatre, Mossel Bay
International:
Wanderers Sports Club, Windhoek
Vibe – Windhoek
Chintheche Inn - Malawi
Nascrec Expo Centre
OTHER BANDS:
Mark Haze has performed with:
Seether
aKing
Flat Stanley
Just Jinjer
Machine OEM
Stealing Love Jones
Wonderboom
Heroes wear Red
Chromium
Parlotones
Elvis Blue
Heinz Winkler
Kurt Darren
Snotkop
Crashcarburn
FokofPolisiekar
Evolver One
Colfield Mundi
Craig David
The Brothers Streep
Van Coke Kartel
Voodoo Child
Kobus
Wrestlerish
7th Son
Hog Hoggidy Hog
The Rudimentals
Reburn
Locnville
Jack Parow
Taxi Violence
All Will Fall
Wake to Wonder
Firefly
Kill Disco
Cold Hand Chemistry
Enmity
The Monroes
and many more...
The Future
Moving

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
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forward our plans are to:
Get more sponsors on board
Minimum 5 events a month, never within close proximity to each other.
Radio Interview at least once a month & aggressive online marketing, running competitions and focussing on Fan interaction
A press article/interview at least once a month.
Short Tours to promote the release of the new album:
*
Namibia
*
Bloemfontein/Pretoria & Johannesburg
*
Durban/Pietermaritzburg
*
Garden Route Tour
 USA tour in 2013/14
 European tour in 2014/15
Sponsors
Musical Equipment:
PAUL BOTHNER MUSIC
YAMAHA MUSIC SOUTH AFRICA
SHURE (Wild & Marr)
LINE-6 (Marshall Music)
Travel:
TRAVEL COUNSELLORS
HOLIDAY AUTOS SA
Design, Printing & Tattoos:
PIXEL PERFECT
STEEL CHAMELEON
SCOOTER ANGELS
Websites
His new website went live on the 20th of January 2011 and has had over 1 208 216 views since
WEBSITE
Account created in June 2011. Account has grown up to 10 464 fans since.
FACEBOOK
Each band member has their own account:@MarkHaze12, @BjornFaree12, @GarethHaze12, @BrianLee12a,
together they share a total of 7 697 followers.
TWITTER
Older account with 93 subscribers and over 186 416 views,
Popular searches: 12th Avenue and/or Mark Haze, band and Idols videos will be found.
YOU TUBE
New account with 270 subscribers and over 605 311 views
Popular searches: 12th Avenue and/or Mark Haze, band and Idols videos will be found.
YOU TUBE
Videos
Music Videos
‘Alone’ – Released in 2012
‘Shake What Your Mama Gave You’ – Released
in 2012
‘Wake Up’ – Released in 2012
‘Fall Again’ – Released in 2006
‘Single’ – Released in 2007
‘Crazy’ – Released in 2007
‘Beds are Burning’ – Released in 2007
‘Living in my Life’ – Released in 2008
‘Gone’ – Released in 2009
‘Over the Edge’ – Released in 2009
‘Time Bomb’ – Released in 2008
Idols Videos
1st Audition: ‘Keep Holding On’- Avril Lavigne
Top 15: ‘Sweet Child o’ mine’ - Guns & Roses
Top 10: ‘Born this Way’ - Lady Gaga
Top 9: ‘Shallow Waters’ - Just Jinjer
Top 8: ‘Just the way you are’ - Bruno Mars
Top 8: ‘Somebody to Love’ - Queen
Top 6: ‘If I had You’ - Adam Lambert
Top 5: ‘Pour Some Sugar on Me’ – Def Leppard
Top 5: ‘Dream On’ - Aerosmith
Top 4: ‘Heard it through the Grapevine’ Marvin Gaye
Top 4: ‘The Pretender’ - Foo Fighters
Top 4:‘Field’s of Gold’ - Duet with Crushanda
Top 3: ‘Open Arms’ - Journey
Top 3: ‘Roxanne’ - The Police
Top 3: ‘Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles
Contact Details
Manager:
Martin and Razia Myers
Phone: +27 83 448 4475 or +27 74 443 0100
Email: [email protected]