Gareth Haze steps into the spotlight with a raw yet uplifting new single, ‘Never Have I Ever,’ a track born from the shadows of loss and transformed into a call to celebrate the memories that live on. As a South African expat carving out a solo career in London—and collaborating across continents with his brother, Mark Haze—Gareth has much to share about faith, family and forging his own path.

You moved from Cape Town to London in 2017 and performed as a session drummer before going solo. How did that transition reshape your identity as an artist?

It took me out of my comfort zone in so many ways. Drumming is almost second nature to me – I can sit down with musicians I’ve never met and play along to songs I’ve never heard. Behind a kit, it feels like an extension of my body. However, taking the leap into performing as a solo artist was simultaneously nerve-wracking and exhilarating. It helped me find my own voice. Admittedly, I’m not the greatest guitarist, but I bring rhythmic, percussive elements to my playing that only a drummer could. Having played styles from rock and blues to soul, pop, hip-hop, jazz and funk fusion, I’ve learned to keep an open mind when writing and performing my own material. Though I have a signature style, I’m never afraid to experiment.

Your debut single, ‘Home’, released in 2023, featured Mark and explored the comfort of return. What emotional threads connect that song to your new single, ‘Never Have I Ever’, and how have they evolved?

Both songs explore relationships with loved ones, the ache of missing someone, and how we hold onto those feelings amid life’s distractions. The evolution comes in the final line of the last verse of ‘Never Have I Ever’, where I sing, “let’s sing a song for those we lost, the ones we hold so dear”. There, the song shifts from my personal experience to a shared one. Everyone has known loss in their own way, and though our experiences differ, we’re united by grief—and by helping each other to heal.

‘Never Have I Ever’ was written in the wake of your father’s passing. How did you balance the urgency of punk-fuelled instrumentation with the tender storytelling of Americana?

I began writing the chords and melody before my dad passed away, then added the lyrics a few weeks after his funeral. It started as a simple acoustic song, but the punk influence crept in as I played it more. It felt right to make it fast and upbeat – the opposite of how we usually view death. My dad always said he wanted his memorial to be a celebration, not a sombre affair, and the song mirrors that sentiment: a reason to let loose and dance out your feelings, even if they’re painful.

You played every instrument on the track – drums, guitar, piano and bass. Which part pushed you furthest out of your comfort zone, and what did you learn?

The bass. Many people joke that it’s just a big guitar with fewer strings, but a great bassist can make it sing. I’m still mastering various techniques, but with each track I improve. It’s also taught me heaps about recording: getting great tones, selecting the best takes and, above all, practising patience.

Co-producing with Mark across two continents must have its challenges. Can you walk us through your cloud-based workflow and any surprises along the way?

There’s a lot of waiting involved. We’re both busy, so asynchronous working suits us. The time-zone difference is small, so when we need to chat live it’s rarely at an absurd hour. Usually, I’ll track as much as I can, send Mark a rough mix and await his feedback. He might suggest tweaks or request stems and session files to add parts. Occasionally he’ll say it’s perfect – that’s when he handles the final mix and master. Once he’s done, he sends me an MP3 to review, and I reply with notes ranging from vague (“that keyboard doesn’t feel urgent enough”) to precise (“add an eighth note delay to the splash cymbal at 2:38”). We iterate until we both agree on the final version.

As someone who champions “playing a note imperfectly with passion”, how do you preserve that raw energy in a polished studio environment?

In the studio, everything’s under a microscope, so you must make deliberate choices. I never allow recordings to sound sloppy, but I refuse to let them become sterile. Drums are played to a click track, guitars are re-tuned between takes, and if necessary, I record in sections to ensure precision. I’m not a fan of pitch correction – I’d rather sing a part repeatedly than auto-tune it. Yet the little imperfections – a string squeak as you shift chord, your breath intake before a high note – add character and life to a recording.

Folk, punk, emo and Americana all weave through your sound. Which artists or moments lit the spark for your unique fusion?

Dashboard Confessional and Frank Turner are big influences. Both blend acoustic sensibilities with punk attitude. Lyrically, Dashboard Confessional’s poetic metaphors resonate deeply, while Frank Turner’s storytelling makes you see life through his eyes. I try to channel their respective strengths in my own writing.

You’ve hinted at an upcoming album, ‘Stranger in a Strange Land’. How does ‘Never Have I Ever’ set the tone for what’s to come?

It looks likely to be an EP, followed by a second EP, rather than a full album. The newer tracks I’ve written are more introspective and vulnerable, so they’ll form a separate collection. The songs completed so far for ‘Stranger in a Strange Land’ all build from an acoustic foundation but explore different sonic and thematic territory – life, love, loss, musicianship and finding your place in a world that feels both alien and warmly familiar.

Beyond mourning, this song is ultimately hopeful. What do you hope listeners take away when they press play on 9 May?

It’s okay to miss someone. It’s okay to feel sad, to cry, and to laugh until you cry again. Life moves on whether you’re ready or not – but you will move with it, and you will be okay.

Looking back on your journey – from drummer to brother-duo collaborator to solo artist – what advice would you give your younger self?

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Life is short, so sing your songs and tell your story. Savour the good moments – you’re only here for a moment.

A huge thank-you to Gareth Haze for sharing his story, his studio triumphs and the heart behind ‘Never Have I Ever’. Be sure to stream the single from 9 May and follow Gareth for more. Stay tuned to Underground Press for the voices shaping the future of indie alt-rock.

• Stream ‘Never Have I Ever’ and view all Gareth Haze's Links at #GarethHazeMusic

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