GAZ on the Story Behind ‘Moving On’ and the Road from Here
Interview on Love, Loss and a New Chapter
GAZ, the UK-born, South Africa-based artists Garry McCluskey, has built a distinct solo identity through a steady run of releases that includes ‘Slow Down’, ‘Lullaby For The World’, ‘Dopamine’ and ‘Pay To Breathe’, along with the acclaimed 2025 album ‘My New Skin’. The project drew strong international praise, including recognition from respected journalists at music platforms such as Rolling Stone and SPIN, while several singles achieved notable global chart traction.
He now returns with ‘Moving On’, a deeply personal single accompanied by a music video and lyric video, created with Mark Beling. Born from a late-night studio moment, the song is shaped by themes of separation, fatherhood, reflection and the effort to turn pain into something meaningful.
Q: For readers meeting you for the first time, how would you describe GAZ today, and how does that version of you connect back to your earlier life as the frontman of CRUSH?
GAZ: I have been creating a new identity for my music and image called ‘GAZ’ since 2020. This has been a beautiful journey of self-discovery, creatively, spiritually and emotionally. I have learned so much in this time about the South African music industry, myself, professionalism and the standards required to achieve even a single radio play. It has been hard work, but I would not change a thing.
It is very different for me now without my brothers from CRUSH back in the mid-90s. Flying solo means there is nowhere to hide. Whilst I miss my CRUSH days, the passion to return to music was too strong to ignore. I love the exploration and the journey of writing a song and watching it grow from a seed into a fully realised product that meets international quality standards. I often reflect on CRUSH and hold a very special place for that time and those guys. That is where it all started, but now it is a new road, and I am embracing the journey that comes with it.
Q: You stepped away from music for a period before returning in 2020. What brought you back to songwriting? Why did the solo route feel like the right path this time?
GAZ: Lockdown 2020 will do that to a person. If that period gave you no time to reflect on who you are, what you have and have not done, and what you still want to achieve before everything changes, then you were living on a different planet. Watching all the online streaming performances that South African artists were doing at the time inspired me. If they could perform from their lounges, garages and home setups, then I had no excuse not to try, even if it was just to explore music again. I downloaded BandLab on my phone, experimented a bit until I had a simple beat and tune, and recorded some rough lyrics over it. It was far from perfect, but it was exciting. I was hooked, and I was back.
Q: Looking back at the run-up to ‘My New Skin’, what do you feel that album proved about you as an artist? Especially after the strong response it received and the attention around tracks like ‘Slow Down’, ‘Lullaby For The World’, ‘Dopamine’ and ‘Pay To Breathe’?
GAZ: It proved that I am capable when I once doubted myself. It showed me that music has no boundaries.Musiccan reach listeners across the world in ways you never expect. It reinforced that honesty and staying true to what is in your heart and mind is the best approach. Regardless of the outcome. Not every track will resonate in the same way. The success of others keeps everything balanced. The support I have received has given me the confidence to continue creating. To keep pushing forward while the momentum is there.
Q: Did the response to ‘My New Skin’ change the way you thought about your own voice, your audience, or the kind of emotional territory you wanted to explore next?
GAZ: Yes, I would say it did. Each track on the album has a slightly different vocal delivery. This reflects the reality that your voice changes from day to day. That variation keeps things interesting. As artists, we hope our work is recognised. Knowing that listeners from places like Brazil, United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, Australia and Japan are connecting with the music is incredibly reassuring. Looking ahead, I will approach new material as it comes and adapt vocally to suit whatever direction the song takes. I feel there is still a lot more to explore in terms of range and style. I am looking forward to those future chapters.
Q: You and Mark Beling have developed a very recognisable creative partnership. What does he understand about your writing that allows the songs to land with such honesty?
GAZ: It is a very special relationship. We are similar in age and have both loved music from a young age. Our sons grew up together. We share a strong personal connection, which creates a deep level of understanding. Musically, we appreciate many of the same influences. This makes communication easy in the studio. There is a natural closeness and trust between us. However, when it comes to recording, it is serious work. Mark will push you to deliver your best and ensure that every element of the track meets a high standard.
Q: ‘Moving On’ began as a spontaneous studio moment rather than a planned session. Can you take us back to the exact night the song was born? Describe what happened in the room?
GAZ: I had prepared and rehearsed a new song called ‘The Last Song’. Darryl de Lange was also around, so it was set to be an enjoyable evening. We never got close to recording my planned track because we were caught up in conversation, laughter and a few drinks. Darryl stepped outside for a few minutes. The studio suddenly became quiet. Mark, was sitting on his drum stool with his Taylor acoustic.
He started playing a beautiful melody while looking directly at me. He encouraged me to start, and I felt an immediate pressure to respond. The lyrics came out naturally, one line after another. When Mark called out ‘chorus’, I adjusted my delivery to match the shift in the music. It became a three-minute outpouring of emotion and instinct. I had not intended to write about my marriage ending. In that moment, it felt right to reflect on the past and express it honestly. That is how the song came to be.
Q: The song comes from a very painful period in your personal life. How did you decide where to draw the line? Between complete honesty and protecting the people closest to the story.
GAZ: That first recording on Mark’s phone carried a lot of raw emotion, including anger and confusion. I realised that certain lines were too direct. Not something I would be comfortable releasing. I revisited the lyrics and adjusted them to be more balanced and less personal. Ensuring that the message remained respectful. It was important not to use the song as a way to direct frustration at anyone. Making those changes allowed me to feel at peace with the track and gave it space to be interpreted in different ways by listeners.
Q: There is a strong father-and-son thread running through the song. Why was it important for you that ‘Moving On’ became more than just a breakup song, and instead reflected home, responsibility and care?
GAZ: My son lives with me, and it is just the two of us, along with our rescue dog, Gus. While Gus does not feature in the song, the reality is that my son and I share a home, which is why the line ‘Me and my son’ is so important. It reflects our day-to-day life and the responsibility that comes with it.
Q: The chorus evolves from ‘I’ll be fine’ to ‘Moving On’ to ‘Me and My Son’. What did that lyrical progression allow you to express that a single repeated hook could not?
GAZ: ‘I’ll be fine’ is a hopeful statement. ‘Moving On’ is also a statement, but more of an intention in that moment. ‘Me and My Son’ represents reality. The progression allows the song to move through different emotional stages and perspectives within a limited timeframe. It also gives space to acknowledge my former partner, my son and myself, ensuring that all sides of the story are represented. I feel it helps the song flow naturally and adds depth to the narrative.
Q: Sonically, the song stays restrained and intimate, letting the vocal and lyric carry the weight. What guided the production choices, and what did you and Mark Beling deliberately leave out?
GAZ: It was a very considered decision to keep the vocal and story at the forefront. Nothing significant was removed apart from some of my original vocal takes. Mark approached the production with sensitivity, building around the lyrics and enhancing the mood with subtle elements like synth and a steady drum ride. In many ways, it is a simple arrangement, but it draws out a strong emotional response in the final mix.
Q: The video and lyric video give the song a wider visual life. What did you want the audience to feel when they watch, rather than simply hear, this chapter of your story?
GAZ: The aim was to complement the music with visuals that enhance the emotional tone of the track. Some moments align closely with the lyrics, while others are more interpretative, allowing viewers to reflect on their own experiences. That balance helps broaden the connection and gives the audience space to engage with the song in a personal way.
Q: When someone streams ‘Moving On’ or comes to your catalogue through this interview, what do you hope they understand about you as an artist? What do you hope they carry with them after the song ends?
GAZ: I hope they recognise that this came from a genuine moment of vulnerability, a person expressing something deeply personal without filters. In return, I hope listeners can take something meaningful from the track, whether that is comfort, reflection or a sense of healing in their own lives.
Thank you, GAZ, for sharing a story that turns private hurt into something truthful, human and resonant. ‘Moving On’ feels like a song that does not just document loss, it documents the effort to keep moving with dignity, clarity and love intact. Readers can now stream the single, watch the music video and lyric video, and follow GAZ as this next chapter unfolds.
