On a break from The Loved Ones, Dave Hause’s Philadelphia-based rock band, he wrote and recorded the 10 songs that would result in Resolutions, his debut solo album that would go on to consume two full years of his personal and professional life. With the release of the album, Hause found himself touring North America, Europe and the UK multiple times, visiting Australia and even having the opportunity to play a rare show in Hawaii for the first time. In addition to performing on two Revival Tours, supporting The Gaslight Anthem on three tours and opening for the legendary Social Distortion on a recent month-long stint, the upcoming release of Devour is sure to find Hause touring incessantly through the remainder of 2013 and beyond.
Hause is set to release Devour on Tuesday, October 8 through Rise Records. Fans can now pre-order the new full-length album through Rise Records.  Devour presents itself as a thematic journey through its 12 tracks, carrying with it the idea that it is inherently American to have an insatiable appetite and how that appetite can potentially present obstacles when trying to maintain the meaningful relationships in one’s life.
Ghettoblaster recently caught up with Hause to discuss the record.  This is what he told us.

When did you begin writing the material for your most recent album? 
I had the first couple of songs for Devour before I even wrote my first solo album, Resolutions. Devour would have been the third Loved Ones record had we stuck it out. I started writing these songs a few years ago, finished Resolutions and then got back to this batch.
What was the most difficult song to take from the initial writing stage through recording and mixing?  Why was it so troublesome?
“Same Disease” gave me some trouble on the arrangement side of things; I have multiple demos for that song with tiny things changed. It took on multiple forms. It started out as this really short, Ramones-influenced song and my friend Pete Steinkopf [of The Bouncing Souls] actually suggested playing it in its current arrangement. Playing it as a ’50s-style song was an idea I had that the producer, Andrew Alekel, really liked and encouraged. At the end of the day, songs that sound like The Ramones can often be played in the style of The Ronettes too.  
Which of the songs on the record is most different from your original concept for the song?
“Father’s Son” was an up-tempo rock song when I first wrote it. As the final batch of songs crystallized, it was clear that I had enough driving rockers, and I wanted a sleazier feel for “Father’s Son.” The guide post ended up being Lucinda Williams, specifically her song “Joy,” or Tom Petty’s “You Don’t Know How it Feels.”
Did you have any guest musicians play or sing on the record?
For a solo record, everyone who plays on the record is a guest, I suppose. As far as guest singers, Scott Hutchinson from Frightened Rabbit, The Watson Twins and Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio all sang on different sections of the record and I was honored to have them play.
Who produced the record? What input did that person have that changed the face of the record?
Andrew Alekel produced, mixed, and engineered the record with Mitchell Townsend co-producing. Their ability to get the sounds that were in my head, as well as suggesting sounds I hadn’t even thought of was huge – they’re masters of their craft. The other major thing they did was to encourage me to work my entire vision for the record through. They loved the themes and the idea that the record is all tied together, even chronologically, and they really made sure to help me see that through.
Is there an overarching concept behind your new album that ties the record together?
The major theme is the idea that in America there is this insatiable appetite, most probably hard-wired to manifest destiny. It is why Tony Soprano as a character resonated so much with so many people, and probably why there’s such a giant interest in reality TV stars of all kinds. That appetite can yield intensely ambitious people, capable of big things in the world, but also is really difficult to manage in most human relationships.
It’s a tricky balance, and it was something that was very close to my heart as I now am into my thirties – where you start to figure out why you act the way you do, what factors from your childhood shape who you are and who you want to be, and why certain relationships haven’t worked out. I tried to hammer out the effects of that hunger, as well as where it comes from, and ultimately what makes life worth living after you’ve ripped through everything and everyone in front of you for years.
Have you begun playing these songs live and which songs have elicited the strongest reaction from your fans?
I have played a few of these songs live, for sure, and thus far “Autism Vaccine Blues” and “The Shine” have really gotten people’s attention, to the point of having people singing along at shows which is a total trip. I can’t wait to play the rest of them live.
(Preview material from the album here:
“The Making of Devour” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdTHJHfAFWE
“We Could Be Kings” song stream – https://soundcloud.com/davehause/03-we-could-be-kings)