THE REINTRODUCTION OF DARK HORSE BY DAZ ROUX

By Ruby

 CHARGING AHEAD WITH DARK HORSE 

A DAZ ROUX CREATION
by RubySage

6 February 2026

 

  This leading name in the live local music scene, co-founder of long standing band Jasper Dan and the creator of DARK HORSE, Daz Roux, needs no introduction.   

Put Daz on a stage with his fellow musos, plug in his guitar and viola! Daz is in his happy space.  Well this is only from what I have observed.   And that  dashing smile he wears, lights up is eyes when he starts taking about his passion project, he single, Dark Horse. 

 I was very fortunate to meet this  brilliantly creative,  incredibly talented musician and all round awesome guy,  a little over a year ago.  It was soon after that when I stumbled across his single, DARK HORSE.  it took a whole of about 7.3 seconds for me to start asking him about it and soon there after,  nagging him to embark on a relaunching project.  This is a song that needs to be shared to every corner of the globe.  why?  well simply because the world is filled (to capacity apparently)  with humans , most of which have ears that can hear.  But more than that even, if you have lived, loved and lost. If you know heartache and grief... this song is the food that your soul has been searching for.   

 Now, if you haven't listened to this track you won't quite understand my enthusiasm... (…its more than my usual excitement about all that this music...).  So, what  I suggest is,  click the link below... and listen to this musical masterpiece as you read through this 'little'  Q&A exchange between Daz Roux and myself. 

Q:  When (where, who, how) did your music journey start?

A: I knew I wanted to play an instrument from primary school but my parents (mom) lol would only let me play the piano. This did not last and definitely did not fit in with my growing taste of Pink Floyd, Deep purple among other classic rock bands from my dads youth, found amongst his collection of old vinyl's that I would frequently play on his Hifi set.  

When I was in high school (Std 6),  my father bought a drum kit - I suspect in the midst of a mid life crisis.  He played for about a  month or so and gave up saying, and I quote " Fuck this it's a lot harder than banging your fingers on the dining table."   That was my que.  I sat down on the faded metallic red,  battered jazz kit and began teaching myself how to drum along to all my favourite  bands at the time.  Bands such as Offspring, Metallica, nirvana, Pearl Jam, bush, Guns N’ Roses, Foo Fighters and of course everything  classic rock.

 After university and upon returning from a stint in the UK,  I decided it was time to finally buy a guitar and learn how to play.  Especially as I could not play the drums in my apartment! besides, it was something that I had  always wanted to do. 
So, at the age of 27,  my guitar journey started.  I became completely obsessed with the instrument and at one point practiced for hours on end every day.   Along this journey I came coming across legendary players such as Jimi Hendrix, Eddy Van Halen and Dan Huff to mention a few.

Q: Did you always want to make music?

A: I had melodies that would pop into my head and I messed around with  riffs ,  but I never attempted full on song writing.   Although,  I did want to write music.  I eventually took the plunge and bought an iMac and along with a Logic, started composing music for fun , but nothing to 'put out there'.  This only came later on.


Q: Instrument(s) of choice?

A:  Instrument of choice is definitely  electric guitar and it has to be a Stratocaster or Telecaster.
  I have tried many variations of guitars and it was only with a Strat that I felt like  we'd become one. 
I find that its , by far, the best instrument for expression.   It inspires my riffs and melodies with all it's nuances, pops, quacks and harmonics.  

I love Country, Folk, Blues, Soul, Funk and Rock styles and feels and nothing can express and achieve these sounds better than a guitar. and in my opinion , especially a Stratocaster with a various array of Amps.

 During my Jasper Dan days,  I only used a Marshall DSL 50 head with a Marshall 1960a 4x12 Cab running the standard GT12-75 speakers.  However from the creating of  Dark Horse days,  I have progressed and  have moved full time playing to my 1969 Fender Twin Reverb amp as I chase cleaner tones with sparkle, depth and they allow for more clearer and intricate riffs and patterns using pick and chicken picking playing styles.

 I will get back to playing slide, one of these days, but since Jasper Dan days I haven’t felt the need to pick up a slide.


Q: History / short time line of your musical journey (bands /albums/ etc)

A:  In 2012 I met a guy called Paul, who is, to this day, a great drummer and a good friend.  We started jamming together, and soon met his neighbour, Jamie, who joined our jam sessions as a vocalist.   Together we started jamming covers, in  “our own way”.   Soon thereafter we started a cover band and Neil, another good friend of mine joined the band on bass. 

 We did one gig as "Fippen the bird" , but  not long after that,  changed the band name to Jasper Dan and were playing cover gigs all over JHB.   One evening I took along some music that I had wrote,  to rehearsal and asked Jamie to work on some lyrics and vocals (with Paul on drums and Neil on bass. ) And that was the start of Jasper Dan's own sound and feel.  

I continued to write music for the band and primarily for our first album and also played on all the  tracks for “A southern fling."  The last music I wrote for the band was Sugar Girl, which we recorded in Studio with Robin Walsh.  And, bringing the lime line to current time,  I recently released a single and have one on the backburner, that is still to be released.

Q:  Noteworthy /brag rights...?

A:  We have played many great venues and festivals such as Splashy Fen and along side some of SA’s Greatest Bands and Musos such as Dan Patlansky, Clout, Springbok Nude Girls and Wonderboom.

 However , I would have to say, the highlight and absolute privilege for me was opening for Iron Maiden when they came out to SA in 2016.


Q: Dark Horse... What inspired this song...

A: This track is very important and sentimental to me as I wrote it as a tribute to my late father after he tragically lost his life in a car accident. 

The funny thing about this song is that  I wrote the lyrics in 30mins flat and then struggled, for ages with the melody.   Nothing 'felt'  good enough.  It was only a few years later when I wrote music that I felt did the lyrics justice.  I  wrote it in, what I like to call a country, folk and story telling style.


Q: When was it released?

A: I went into Studio with Andy Innes (My producer) around July/August 2023 and released it in November of 2023.  I must just add, Dark Horse features the amazing Solam Jali on vocals. 

The track started gaining traction and before the end of that year , it was on the SA Top 40 chart. Unfortunately as I was  driving the project on my own when I became very ill for almost two months ,in the beginning of 2024, and with with no backing, it kind of got lost in fray.   I am so grateful that Ruby wants to revive it, and breath life back into this track and get it out there.

Q: What is on the cards for Daz and his music... What can we expect in the (near?) future?

A:  SO, I want to release my second track this year, (No set date yet) and Then I am also working on putting a new band together, with more originals to come , so watch this space.! (Oh we are watching Daz...we are watching and waiting...)

Q:  One word of advice for new musos?

A: Music and playing your instrument is not a competition but a personal experience.  Its expression and creation... so get out there! Share it!  And don't dismiss and any ideas  for  your creativity that you might have.  And lastly be yourself, create your own sound and grow your own moustache.












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