Today, Rise Records releases Dave Hause’s highly anticipated third album, titled Bury Me In Philly. Another chapter in his rugged, rock n’ roll journey, the album is pretty fast tempo from start to finish, and we’re under the impression it could give your “best albums to road trip to” list a run for its money.
Somehow, among the craziness surrounding the release, Dave had time to speak to us about a few things. Check out our interview below!
What was the first album/song you remember listening to, and who introduced it to you?
I have vivid memories of sitting in front of my parent’s record player, and volleying between Thriller, a Mickey Mouse record, and Christopher Cross. The first record I really felt like was mine was The Hooters’ Nervous Night, that’s why working with Eric on this record was such an amazing turn of events. I was 7 years old and would listen to it over and over, and then my uncle graciously took me to see them play the Tower Theater in Philadelphia, which was the “aha” moment.
When did you decide music was your calling? Was there more of an “aha” moment?
Tower Theater, 1985 watching the Hooters play. The thing is, coming from a working class Philadelphia family in the 80s, playing music as a profession was pretty much out of the realm of possibility. It wasn’t till I got older and roadied for Sick Of It All and The Bouncing Souls that I saw a blue print for how to be a musician that wasn’t commercially ubiquitous. They showed me what working class musicians were.
You have a history of writing songs with meaning, and you can hear it in the instrumentals, lyrics, and vocals. What has been your favorite track to work on thus far in your career, in that regard?
The cliche answer to this question is that picking a favorite song is like picking a favorite child, and it’s a cliche cause it does feel true. There are favorite moments though within songs, for instance, on this new record I wrote a lot of the words with my brother Tim, and there were big breakthrough moments that were really joyful. For instance, he suggested the line “the middle of the road takes a toll” in Divine Lorraine and every time I hear that now I smile, it’s such a good line for a young fella just starting out writing lyrics to have come up with. Another great moment was when we were riding along on tour and I was sort of doubting my new home, living in Santa Barbara, and I said “I haven’t even seen a black girl in like 28 days!” And Tim looked at me and said “Make that a lyric. That’s part of your story!”
Your third album – Bury Me In Philly – is almost here. Are you ready?
I am. It’s been a long time coming, and I’ve been promising touring with a band for awhile, so going out and touring that way is going to be really great. It’s got it’s anxieties and challenges, you obviously want to do well, but I’m confident that I made a batch of songs that I like and that the audience I’ve built is going to enjoy them. I’m really fired up.
What do you hope fans gather from this album?
I wanted to make a record that felt good to listen to, one that you want to put on when you ride to the beach, one that you want to play a second time after you hear it. I know that my songwriting is often exploring the bittersweet reality of life, and Devour was for sure more bitter than sweet. This record is much more about celebrating the sweet moments that come, despite living in such crazy times.
Do you have a favorite song from Bury Me In Philly?
It changes every time I hear it. Right now I’m loving “Shaky Jesus”, “Helluva Home” and “Bury Me In Philly”. They take on a new life when you start playing them live, the whole point of that process is communication, and that takes more than just me making them in a vacuum.
How does it feel to have co-produced this album with a local hero?
Well, by the time we got to know each other, it felt more just like a supportive, super talented friend was co-producing. When I think about the story, it is pretty amazing. This guy was the first person I saw play live rock and roll at a real show, my childhood hero, and here we are making MY solo record together and he’s playing 80% of the instruments and telling me he believes in my songs. Holy smokes.
Do you have any fun anecdotes from the production process?
It was pure joy. Eric can play every instrument, in just about any style, so if I said “I want to do a stones guitar thing here” he’d reply with “Ronnie Wood or Keith?’ It was incredible. He would break out an alto sax, lay down an amazing part, and we’d DELETE it if it didn’t fit. It was crazy.
You’re going out on tour internationally this spring. What are you most excited about?
Playing a show every day with a band of folks that are excited and talented. I feel like someone just gave me the keys to the Millennium Falcon.
What do you find you draw the most inspiration from?
Music, and just living life and paying attention to what is making people tick.
As far as music, It always changes, but for this record it was a lot of stuff that I grew up listening to. Eric and Bill made The Hooters records, The Outfield and Cyndi Lauper records, and that was already sort of in my wheelhouse in what I was hoping to touch on as far as influences. I mean, it always ends up sounding like me, and musically I ask the question almost daily of What Would Tom Petty Do whenever I may hit a hiccup. Lyrically Springsteen is a guiding light, the Stones made their way into Dirty Fucker and The Ride on this record. It always is changing though, I love to listen to all kinds of music.
Lyrically I fell in love and moved to California, and ended up really missing Philly, so that was the general backdrop of influence.
Who is your favorite super hero, and why?
I gotta say, I could rewatch and reread the Spider Man origin story 1000x before I’m dead. I love the obvious antihero guys, Batman, Wolverine, etc, but to be honest, I’m a little tired of the trend of superheroes being conflicted assholes. Deadpool, while really well made, just got on my nerves because I couldn’t take my little 8 year old nephew to see it. Spider Man is the guy.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks for the interview, and see you all out on the road, that’s where the truth of this thing is gonna be, sharing the music in a room together.
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Bury Me In Philly is available now.
