INTERVIEW: Dave Hause on touring, politics & writing with his brother Tim
You mention how your perspective towards life and music shifted after the 2016 election. Are you more hopeful going into the 2020 elections?
"I’m always hopeful, despite knowing how bad it has gotten. Maybe democracy will stay alive in this insane country for a little while longer, I don’t know. I’m cautiously optimistic, and terrified of 4 more years with this monster."
Do you feel like music over the past four years has accurately depicted the state of affairs going on in the US and internationally?
"I don’t know, I haven’t listened to enough of the music of the last 4 years to have an opinion. Music in general seems to occupy a smaller portion of the cultural imagination than it did throughout the last 40-60 years. I would ask if it’s music’s job to accurately depict the state of affairs, that seems more like the job of journalism. Music’s job is to be music."
Your last album "Kick" was the result of deep collaboration between you and your brother Tim. Musically speaking what does he bring to the table that makes him such a valuable song writing partner?
"A few things...he has a great sense of phrasing and melody, he is unencumbered by the “rules” of punk rock, and he is whip smart. He’s able to give things a chance until it’s time to move on, and offers tons of perspective. He can also write a helluva chorus."
The album contains deep themes of depression, global warming and the current state of affairs; how do you think these messages will translate to the crowd during your live show?
"The hope is that people are attaching themselves to the songs when they listen, and then are willing to enjoy a night out at the show. That’s two different transmissions... one is personal and reflective, the other is communal and connective. When that all happens, you can have an incredible and transcendent experience, it’s what everyone hopes for in live music."
On the contrary, the album also provides messages of hope and encouragement. Did you want the record to have a balance between both light and dark elements, or did those themes occur naturally?
"I think offering a hopeless situation doesn’t do me or the audience any good. The whole question we posed when writing was “what do you do when you feel like you’re drowning?” Tim answered, “Kick”."
Do you feel any additional stress touring as a solo artist, compared to touring within a band?
"No, I feel honored and lucky to be able to have both. It’s great to be able to connect in different ways to audiences."
As you become a seasoned veteran in the music industry, does life on the road get any easier or become any more normalized?
"It is normalized, but now with children I find it to more difficult. I want to be home with my wife and kids, and my job is to travel, so I’m working to find a new balance. The hope is that our work is meaningful and transcends the everyday so that we provide some usefulness to people, that’s a great feeling to come home to my family with."
What is one thing you wish you could bring on the road with you? "My family."
Which cities are you most looking forward to playing in?
"We are looking forward to all of the shows, I’m not putting many shows onto the calendar that I don’t want to play. I just don’t play those."
Dave Hause Tour Dates:
FEB 22 - Mississippi Studios - Portland, OR FEB 25 - Felton Music Hall - Felton, CA
FEB 26 - Slim's - San Francisco, CA FEB 27 - The Satellite - Los Angeles, CA FEB 28 - Soda Bar - San Diego, CA FEB 29 - The Rebel Lounge - Phoenix, AZ MAR 1 - Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT MAR 3 - Larimer Lounge - Denver, CO MAR 5 - Turf Club - St Paul, MN MAR 6 - Sleeping Village - Chicago, IL MAR 7 - Horseshoe Tavern - Toronto, Canada MAR 8 - Café Campus - Montreal, Canada
MAR 11 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY MAR 12 - The Sinclair - Cambridge, MA MAR 13 - Metro Gallery - Baltimore, MD MAR 14 - Union Transfer - Philadelphia, PA MAY 9 - Southaven County Park - Yaphank, NY MAY 24 - Arena Berlin - Berlin, Germany
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