SAM HAZE
Sam Haze is DJing from sunset to Soluna.
This creative artist has a passion for music. Growing up in Iran, he started collecting and mixing CDs to master his craft since he was a kid. After coming to Toronto in 2006, he pursued DJing more and now plays alongside heavy hitters like Lee Burridge, Bedouin, and Claptone in nightclubs in Toronto, Miami, and beyond. He also recently opened up upscale resto-lounge Soluna on King Street in Toronto.
Sam sat down with VIEREN to share his inspiring story of making music, staying motivated, and how family helps him power his time.
Sam sat down with VIEREN to share his inspiring story of making music, staying motivated, and how family helps him power his time.
Sam Haze is DJing from sunset to Soluna.
This creative artist has a passion for music. Growing up in Iran, he started collecting and mixing CDs to master his craft since he was a kid. After coming to Toronto in 2006, he pursued DJing more and now plays alongside heavy hitters like Lee Burridge, Bedouin, and Claptone in nightclubs in Toronto, Miami, and beyond. He also recently opened up upscale resto-lounge Soluna on King Street in Toronto.
Sam sat down with VIEREN to share his inspiring story of making music, staying motivated, and how family helps him power his time.
Sam sat down with VIEREN to share his inspiring story of making music, staying motivated, and how family helps him power his time.
"Right now, I'm working a lot on the music direction side of things, and doing most of the bookings internationally and locally to bring a new sound that hasn't been very popular in Toronto."
@sam_haze
"Right now, I'm working a lot on the music direction side of things, and doing most of the bookings internationally and locally to bring a new sound that hasn't been very popular in Toronto."
@sam_haze
What are your biggest passions in life?
Music is my main passion, but anything creative drives me. During the day, I am at a creative agency and I used to be on the creative side for a bit so I did design and even dev to a degree. So I think problem solving, which is part of creativity as well, and try to find solutions to different issues.
How did you get started?
Back home in Iran, there wasn't a lot of gear so that was a time that I just collected a lot of music. We dd a lot of parties back then but we were younger and didn't know what DJing was like.and we had limited access to gear. So when I moved here, I studied sound engineering first, and then I got a mixer, and I got these CDJs (that looked like kids toys!). You have your CD case with you and you flip through your CDs, so that's how I got started.
What has been your proudest moment?
The whole journey has been pretty crazy. Just coming from the background of being in Iran, where the culture is quite a restrictive environment, and being into that music myself. I've been passionate about that since then. Moving here, and being able to play alongside those idols of mine that I had back then, and now calling some of them my friends, is sometimes crazy when you look back. At the time, it seems like (okay this is happening) but looking back it's been a long journey to get to this point.
What are your biggest passions in life?
Music is my main passion, but anything creative drives me. During the day, I am at a creative agency and I used to be on the creative side for a bit so I did design and even dev to a degree. So I think problem solving, which is part of creativity as well, and try to find solutions to different issues.
How did you get started?
Back home in Iran, there wasn't a lot of gear so that was a time that I just collected a lot of music. We dd a lot of parties back then but we were younger and didn't know what DJing was like.and we had limited access to gear. So when I moved here, I studied sound engineering first, and then I got a mixer, and I got these CDJs (that looked like kids toys!). You have your CD case with you and you flip through your CDs, so that's how I got started.
What has been your proudest moment?
The whole journey has been pretty crazy. Just coming from the background of being in Iran, where the culture is quite a restrictive environment, and being into that music myself. I've been passionate about that since then. Moving here, and being able to play alongside those idols of mine that I had back then, and now calling some of them my friends, is sometimes crazy when you look back. At the time, it seems like (okay this is happening) but looking back it's been a long journey to get to this point.
How do you stay motivated?
Just being able to do something creative and new. It pushes me forward. There was a short conversation I had with my mom, where she would always instill in us that you should never stay stagnant, keep pushing yourself, and not be happy with the status quo. That's what always pushed me to get comfortable and keep on pushing myself.
Who inspires you?
My mom! She was my mom and my dad. My parents got divorced when I was in Grade 1. She's a very strong personality that I look up to and my role model. She's a Harvard MBA graduate and I don't know how I ended up as the kid of my mom, but I always took her words to heart and she always pushes me forward.
What makes you feel powerful?
When I'm able to do something just on my own and find a solution for it rather than relying on other people. I've always had that personality that I didn't want to burden other people with my own issues. It's just an ideal that I had that people have things going on and I don't want to add to their plate, so I want to find solutions myself rather than going to people with my problems. A lot of times people wouldn't know that I was going through something, or anything like that, but after the fact you tell them this is happening to me at the time, and they would be shocked by it. But that ultimately gave me more confidence that I can do things on my own rather than needing other people.
How do you stay motivated?
Just being able to do something creative and new. It pushes me forward. There was a short conversation I had with my mom, where she would always instill in us that you should never stay stagnant, keep pushing yourself, and not be happy with the status quo. That's what always pushed me to get comfortable and keep on pushing myself.
Who inspires you?
My mom! She was my mom and my dad. My parents got divorced when I was in Grade 1. She's a very strong personality that I look up to and my role model. She's a Harvard MBA graduate and I don't know how I ended up as the kid of my mom, but I always took her words to heart and she always pushes me forward.
What makes you feel powerful?
When I'm able to do something just on my own and find a solution for it rather than relying on other people. I've always had that personality that I didn't want to burden other people with my own issues. It's just an ideal that I had that people have things going on and I don't want to add to their plate, so I want to find solutions myself rather than going to people with my problems. A lot of times people wouldn't know that I was going through something, or anything like that, but after the fact you tell them this is happening to me at the time, and they would be shocked by it. But that ultimately gave me more confidence that I can do things on my own rather than needing other people.
"I have a big relationship with leather, to be honest. Leather pieces with subtle details is something that I really enjoy."
@sam_haze
"I have a big relationship with leather, to be honest. Leather pieces with subtle details is something that I really enjoy."
@sam_haze
How do you put a look together?
I like the more simple looks. Even with my fashion choices, I go for more simple rather than anything loud. Seeing this now, it's making me rethink it and I really like these watches. The colours, the colour combinations, and how it matches with everything else that I like to wear, jewellery and outfits.
What's your favourite leather accessories?
Leather jackets are my go-to's. I have too many pairs of that. I have leather pants that I have been wearing lately as well. I have a big relationship with leather, to be honest. Even leather pieces and details like that is something that I really enjoy. I have a lot of rings that I like to mix and match between. These are some of my favourites - a few McQueens, Fendi, a few other brands. There are the types that are just chains, but this one has leather in it, and I really like leather.
What is your relationship with watches?
I did have a big phase where I was into watches. But I haven't quite been able to find the right watches for myself lately, so I stopped wearing watches for a bit. I don't really like - some of the brands have much larger dials and bigger faces and lots happening inside them - I'm not really a big fan of that to be honest. I like more simple, so this [watch] resonates with me way more than those type of watches.
How do you put a look together?
I like the more simple looks. Even with my fashion choices, I go for more simple rather than anything loud. Seeing this now, it's making me rethink it and I really like these watches. The colours, the colour combinations, and how it matches with everything else that I like to wear, jewellery and outfits.
What's your favourite leather accessories?
Leather jackets are my go-to's. I have too many pairs of that. I have leather pants that I have been wearing lately as well. I have a big relationship with leather, to be honest. Even leather pieces and details like that is something that I really enjoy. I have a lot of rings that I like to mix and match between. These are some of my favourites - a few McQueens, Fendi, a few other brands. There are the types that are just chains, but this one has leather in it, and I really like leather.
What is your relationship with watches?
I did have a big phase where I was into watches. But I haven't quite been able to find the right watches for myself lately, so I stopped wearing watches for a bit. I don't really like - some of the brands have much larger dials and bigger faces and lots happening inside them - I'm not really a big fan of that to be honest. I like more simple, so this [watch] resonates with me way more than those type of watches.
"I just love seeing all the details on here. Like the logo, it goes inside the watch as well. It's just the little details that make it special."
"I just love seeing all the details on here. Like the logo, it goes inside the watch as well. It's just the little details that make it special."
"I like the more simple looks. Even with my fashion choices, I go for more simple rather than anything loud. I really like these watches. The colours, the colour combinations, and how it matches with everything else that I tends to wear."
@sam_haze
"I like the more simple looks. Even with my fashion choices, I go for more simple rather than anything loud. I really like these watches. The colours, the colour combinations, and how it matches with everything else that I tends to wear."
@sam_haze
SHOP OG AUTOMATIC
SHOP OG AUTOMATIC
