David Sand and matt haze at Rudolph’s Bar & Tea – Live Review
David Sand and matt haze at Rudolph’s Bar & Tea
David Sand and matt haze — Rudolph’s Bar & Tea, Los Angeles, CA — April 16, 2026
It was off to the wilds and culture of Downtown Los Angeles for another chapter of the ongoing Breaking Sound program — this time at the cozy and atmospheric Rudolph’s Bar & Tea. Known for spotlighting some of the most compelling singer‑songwriters from around the world, the showcase delivered two rising standouts from the Southern California music scene. Featuring the stunning, heartfelt reveries of David Sand and the moody, cinematic soundscapes of matt haze, the night just steps from the 7th & Metro station unfolded with magic, intimacy, and inspiration.
matt haze
matt haze
Opening the evening was matt haze, the Riverside‑based artist performing selections from his newly released faux‑live EP. Armed with only a guitar and a voice steeped in emotional resonance, matt drew the room in with a quiet, magnetic intensity. After a string of intimate house shows across Los Angeles, it was a thrill to finally see him command a club stage.
He began with the spiraling refrains of today is a new day before drifting into the shadowy, introspective tones of run through. The audience — a mix of longtime supporters and first‑timers — was immediately captivated. On the standout track limbus, matt delivered the biting line, “My baby hates when I do music, she think the shit I make is stupid,” with a wicked sense of irony, showcasing his sharp lyrical instincts and raw vulnerability. grab me a gun was another showstopper, prompting the entire room to take notice.
Fans of Elliott Smith, Nick Drake, or even the more subdued moments of Kurt Cobain will find something deeply resonant in what matt haze brings to the world. I had waited three years to finally see him perform live — and the experience exceeded every expectation.
David Sand
David Sand
Next up was David Sand, a Los Angeles–based artist poised to break far beyond the borders of the city he calls home. With an acoustic guitar, occasional keys, and the subtle yet striking accompaniment of electric guitarist Brendan, David delivered a set rich with emotional nuance. His vocals — dreamy, aching, and sincere — floated beautifully through the nostalgic glow of the venue, blending seamlessly with the hum of the city outside.
Early in the set, David unveiled a gorgeous mash‑up of his original Falling Short with Alphaville’s classic Forever Young. The result was a moment of pure reflection — tender, unexpected, and deeply affecting. He also celebrated the release of his brand‑new single Party Their Way, produced by fellow local artist Chad Courtney, who was in the audience cheering him on. The crowd received the track with warmth and enthusiasm.
David closed with This Town, a wistful, longing reverie that found him laying his heart bare. It was the kind of performance that leaves a room silent, breath held, wanting more. With songwriting this expressive and delivery this genuine, David Sand is clearly on a trajectory toward much bigger stages.
In Conclusion
Walking back toward the bus station after the show, the night still felt charged with the lingering magic of what David Sand and matt haze had created inside that small downtown venue. Their songs — full of longing, honesty, and cinematic emotion — echoed long after leaving the beauty and chaos of Downtown LA behind.
Interviews with David Sand and matt haze coming soon to Highwire Daze Online.
(Review and Photos by Ken Morton)
