Brand new "fun" from Nate Ruess of The Format

When Arizona intelli-pop band The Format broke up a few months ago, a little part of my heart broke. I loved those guys; the homemade "Format Sunny Supermix" is still a superstar on my car radio, all summer every summer.

Well, hooray hooray for some good news before this summer ends: lead singer Nate Ruess has a new band, called simply "fun." Strike two on the not good for Googling, guys. They're trying to undermine my whole system of band data gathering. Subversive.

But hey, this new demo is just great; he doesn't care to be forgiven, he only wants to be forgotten. Read more about the formation of the new band in a blog post from Nate, and listen to this sweet tune. It's good to hear his voice again.

Benson & Hedges (demo) - fun

The Format calls it quits

Arizona indie-pop band The Format posted on their MySpace yesterday that they are going their separate ways. To put it eloquently, this sucks.

These guys put on one of the single best live shows I've ever seen [show video & interview here]. There's an earnest and incisive timbre to everything that Nate sings that always snags me, with multi-instrumental cascades on so many of their shimmering songs. Their shows are well-attended by 16 year olds, but they are all very enthusiastic sixteen year olds that make the audience feel like a single writhing organism, singing along with one voice. I'll bet this announcement made at least a few girls cry after fourth period class yesterday.

Format MySpace Blog Post
Subject: IMPORTANT

"We have just put out word that we will not be making a new Format album. Please understand this was a tough decision and we're both upset about it. While we accept there will be false speculation as to why, understand that Sam and I remain extremely close and in fact are still passing the twin peaks box set back and forth in an attempt to figure out who REALLY killed laura palmer.

We also want to thank everyone with and within the Format, particularly Mike, Don, and Marko, whom without, none of this would have ever even been fully realized. We both suggest you support their musical talents and whatever they decide to do. And lastly we want to thank the fans who made this the best 5 years of our lives.

- nate"


There's such a wonderful confessional narrative in this song, "On Your Porch." This is the acoustic version from the Snails EP. The lyrics seem appropriate today, for several reasons.

"I was on your porch
The smoke sank into my skin
So I came inside to be with you
We talked all night
about everything you could imagine,
Cause come the morning, I'll be gone

. . . .

So now here I sit
In a hotel off of Sunset
My thoughts bounce off of Sam's guitar

And that's the way it's been
Ever since we were kids, but now
well now we've got something to prove
And I, I can see their eyes
Then tell me something -- can they see mine?
'Cause whats left to lose?
I've done enough,
And if I fail then I fail
but I gave it a shot

And these last three years I know they have been hard
But now it's time to get out of the desert
and into the sun
Even if it's alone
Even if it's alone

I was on your porch last night
The smoke it sank into my skin."

On Your Porch (acoustic) - The Format

[photo credit - Losanjealous]

Interview with Nate Ruess from The Format

All you need to know about what a show from The Format is like can be learned by watching this (bouncy, sometimes too loud) video that I shot on Friday night at the Gothic Theatre:

THE FORMAT: "THE FIRST SINGLE" (live 9/7/07)

[direct link]

Don't you just want to be a part of that? Yes, yes you do.

The concert was every bit as fantastic as I was expecting (a few more pics here) and I was pleased to get a chance to catch up with Nate Ruess, the frontman of the group. The Format was formed in 2001 by Nate and his longtime friend Sam Means; they make great music.

A FEW QUESTIONS WITH NATE RUESS
Me: One of my favorite songs from you guys is "The First Single," where you sing "You know the night life is just not for me." However, you have chosen this nightclub-rock&roll-saturated 2am lifestyle, at least for now. Do you find it draining or do you love it? Or both?

Nate: We are fairly boring people so I'm still sticking to our guns on this one. And because we are so boring I think the "rock n roll" lifestyle gets to us really quickly. Unless it involves watching a good movie. Then I am game.


Denver is honored to be the last proper show of the long-running tour for Dog Problems. What's next for you guys after this?

Gonna take a break from touring and being in a band, and try to write and make a record all at the same time I'm looking forward to it. But the first thing on my mind is finishing the tour.


Now, no pressure (who am I kidding, I'm eager) -- but are you already working on writing a follow-up to Dog Problems?

Yeah we have five or so songs in their incubent stage. I'm anxious to hear what it's going to sound like. In my head they're great songs so far, but we have so much work left.


Here's a possibly hard question - Everyone always asks me to "describe the sound" of The Format when I rave about you all to whoever will listen. How the heck do you usually answer that same question when people, doubtlessly and ad nauseum, propose it to you? How then shall we refer to you?

It’s the question that angers me most. I say pop if I’m not scared of the person asking me. But I’ll say rock if I think they pose a threat. But really I don't know.


What new and distant horizons would you like to explore musically with your next album? I read something about steel drums?

Maybe a little bit, I tend to throw crazy words and instruments around but in the end it comes down to what's best for the songs. With that being said...I hear a gospel choir.


[New song] Swans is fantastic, and I gotta say I loved the fact that there are jingle bells in there. Far underused outside of December festivities. I am curious to know what your studio space looks like, in terms of the dozens of instruments you use. You've got some awesome wacky stuff, eh?

Yeah for awhile before Dog Problems was recorded we spent a lot of time collecting crap, but the studio we recorded at in California had so many great instruments that we never used our own stuff. We are toying with the idea of make the next album in Arizona so I guess we might get to put 5 out-of-tune pump organs to use.


I am very interested in hearing about any new developments with your Vanity Label. Are you planning on adding some other artists to the roster? It must be a pretty cool feeling to be able to help and actually get good music heard by the general populace.

Yeah, we tend to forget we have the ability to sign other artists because we are so wrapped up in running the label for The Format. But once we hear something great or get a significant amount of time to work with someone, it’s something we would take very seriously.

[Me and Nate and my friend Jill after the show]

Bonus reading: A highly entertaining two-part tour blog written by Nate for Spin Magazine, wherein they crash a frat party and hone their skills in competitive drinking. [Part One] [Part Two]

Monday Music Roundup

So I learned how to play the game of Cornhole this weekend.

Seriously, don't ask.
(I don't know if it was more fun playing the game or just making endless jokes about the name of it).


The End Of The World
Ash
Irish band Ash has opened for bands like U2 and Weezer, and collaborated with Coldplay's Chris Martin, but chances are really good that you've not heard of them if you aren't British. Well, listen up. This is my new favorite song today, a soaring tune that I want to sing along with and be listening to if it is, indeed, the end of the world. Tinglingly good, I love the epic feel of the key changes (I am a sucker for those); for some reason this line gets me: "Can't hardly see the stars, there's too much light pollution . . . That's the catch, it's such a beautiful confusion." Their 5th studio album Twilight Of The Innocents is out in the UK this week, and they say it shall be their last proper album (then moving to what Mason Jennings considered, and releasing only singles). Ash plays at London's KOKO for a run this entire week, and then they hit the festival circuit this summer, including Asia, then Reading and Leeds festivals.


Dream Brother (alternate take)
Jeff Buckley
Reading a recent review by a friend of mine, I realized that I never weighed in on the new So Real: Songs from Jeff Buckley collection, which was released in May to commemorate ten years of his absence. While it's a bit disorienting to hear a rearranged Grace (no Mojo Pin starter? No Lilac Wine following Last Goodbye?), I like the overall effect here, and would recommend this addition for any Buckley fan who already loves his studio debut album front to back, as I do. The compilation adds some excellent songs of Jeff's that surfaced after Grace (such as the sexy swooner Everybody Here Wants You, or The Sky Is A Landfill), as well as alternate takes on favorites. These new versions are interesting in the different vantage points they offer (Eternal Life slays like the best Zeppelin tune, there are some new lyrics here in Dream Brother), and while I wouldn't say that I prefer any of the new versions more than the originals, this collection offers an apt and different take on the talent we lost.


The Night Starts Here
Stars
The new album from Montreal, Canada's Stars isn't even out until September, three long months away, but this newly released mp3 is already burning through the blogs (thanks Arts & Crafts!). In Our Bedroom After The War will be the newest album from this melodic, dreamlike, deftly-harmonizing band that I quite enjoy, and the first single continues where 2005's Set Yourself On Fire left off - lots of turntaking in the verses between honey-voiced Amy Millan and incisive Torquil Campbell, over a backbeat of synths and layered orchestral pop.


Apeman (Kinks cover)
The Format
In honor of the one year anniversary of the release of Dog Problems, charismatic Arizona pop band The Format is offering that entire album free for download on their website, no catches, until July 16th. That's a whole lot of goodness, gratis. The Format remains one of the most exciting live shows I've seen (very high on the list) and I recommend catching them on this current tour if you can. They love covers like I do, and have put their unique stamp on everything from Harry Nilsson to Bruce Springsteen. Here they take on the Kinks' Apeman very faithfully -- but it's fun.


Come And Get It (demo)
Paul McCartney
Last week I got an email from my friend Tony wondering, hypothetically, if I might have enough frequent flyer miles to be his accomplice in the Paul McCartney private show at Amoeba Records in LA. On less than 24 hours notice, I could not swing it, but oh, how I need a private jet. This demo recording of the McCartney-penned Badfinger megahit (Paul laid this down one day at Abbey Road when he arrived early for a recording session) is something I've been listening to a lot recently. Posting it today is just an enjoyable excuse to link to Tony's review of his ultimate fanboy experience. (Oh, and I think we can call Lefsetz a fanboy too).

News of the day

۞ San Francisco musician/funny guy Matt Nathanson has a new song streaming over at his MySpace. Check out "Gone" in all its Goo-Goo-glory, a wrenching new song with a strong melody.

Matt writes some background on the song: "this song was tracked all at once, live... and this was the 3rd or 4th pass through. i vividly remember looking out into the tracking room while i was singing this, and seeing everyone completely in it. hunched over their instruments, eyes closed...entrenched in the words and the motion of the song. riding it like a wave. just absolutely KILLING it!... i hadn't really experienced that kind of connection, that kind of communication, in the studio before... 6 people working like one. and the yearning and the desperation of the lyric totally came through them. through us..."

The deeply good new album Some Mad Hope will be out August 14th on Vanguard Records.

۞ I am featured again on the newest Contrast Podcast #62: Seas, Oceans, and All Things Marine. My contribution was that fantastic song by Colorado artist Gregory Alan Isakov, "The Salt and The Sea." It's his love song to the Pacific Ocean, and mine.

۞ The Format, who are one of the best bands I've seen live, have just announced a new headlining tour. It concludes in Colorado Sept 7th. Dates are on their MySpace, and you should absolutely go.

۞ Finally, just one album a year for Ryan Adams is never enough (even though that's A-OK with me). Lost Highway announced yesterday that there is a chance they will put out a Ryan Adams box set, with unreleased materials from the 48 Hours and Suicide Handbook "albums," live songs from the Bedheads, and cuts from the Easy Tiger sessions.

If you preorder the (very strong) Easy Tiger album now, you get a bonus CD containing a live version of the song "These Girls," which I got to hear on the album the other day. The most exciting news for me is that the song These Girls is actually a re-working of forgotten cast-off tune "Hey There Mrs. Lovely" from the '99/2000 era, a song that I have long adored. The lyrics are different, and I am not sure if I like them as much as the original, but it is still a great-sounding song. The first 100 preorders also get a signed 7":

Springsteen tribute show planned at Carnegie Hall

Bruce Springsteen is set to get the tribute treatment from the musical community on April 5 at Carnegie Hall in New York. If you were lucky enough to click on the ticket sale website on January 31, then you may have already snagged yourself a pair of tickets (in what concert producer Michael Dorf is calling a "premature leak." Those are always a bit embarassing). Tickets legitimately went on sale Monday (and seem to be sold out) with the proceeds benefitting the Music For Youth program, as with previous tributes to Dylan & Joni Mitchell.

The benefit show will feature appearances from Badly Drawn Boy, Pete Yorn, Steve Earle, Chris Isaak and Josh Ritter, among others. I can't find any recordings of Isaak ever covering Springsteen (some fan correct me if I am wrong), and same for Ritter (although there is plenty of press likening him to Springsteen's songwriting). But here's some hints of what the night may sound like . . .

Thunder Road - Badly Drawn Boy

Dancing In The Dark --> Murray (live) - Pete Yorn

State Trooper (live) - Steve Earle


And if I may, how awesome would it be to see these humble suggestions added to the lineup?

Hungry Heart - Jesse Malin

For You - The Format

No Surrender (live 9/30/05) - Eddie Vedder
(yeah, I've posted this before, but it's one of my absolute favorites)

New EP from The Format on iTunes today

You may perhaps recall my fervent love for The Format?

I wanted to pass along the news that their new EP And Now I Hope You're Alright: Live In California was released today via iTunes. I am currently feeling a bit of a penny-pincher following our lavish week of spending in California, but the samples sound good and they put on a killer live show, so this is one I shall be buying soon.


The EP contains the following 6 songs:
"Dog Problems"
"This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us" (Sparks cover - thanks Phil!)
"Inches and Falling"
"Faith In Fast Cars"
"Janet"
"Matches"

The Format rocks my socks off

I saw The Format last night in Denver as a birthday present from my sis, and what a present it was. Even though Kristy and I questioned that we somehow exceeded an unspoken age limit among the other patrons (which seemed to be about 15? 16?), I was absolutely blown away by these guys and am still smiling the next day.

Background: I have both of The Format's full-length albums (Interventions + Lullabies and Dog Problems), as well as a collection of other tracks. I like them very much, I sing along, etc. etc. HOWEVER, as good as their CDs are, they truly pale in comparison to seeing them live, which makes everything just click together into one of the best concerts I have seen in a while.

Now, I know that I am an enthusiastic gal, especially when it comes to music that I like. I'll give you that. And while I certainly stand behind all of the musical recommendations that I have made thus far on this site, this next one comes with a disclaimer that I REALLY MEAN IT. Like, 200% more than other times I have said "Hey, this band is really good." I wish I had stronger words to express my strong emotion here. So listen:

The Format is essentially frontman Nate Ruess & multi-instrumentalist Sam Means, along with a host of musician friends when they tour. Nate is a fireball of charisma on-stage, with swagger and presence and a magnetism that reminded me of a consummate rockstar like Steven Tyler, oddly enough. He really connects with the crowd and got everyone singing along, jumping & clapping. It is nice to see that confidence and connection in an age of shoegazers and mumblers (nothin' wrong with that in its place, but I'm just saying . . .)

Nate has an unusual voice, that's undeniable. I wasn't sure where to file it in my mental catalogue until I saw them live, and then it all makes sense and I want to hear him sing all day long. It's a powerful instrument he's got there in his pipes.

Backing Nate were no fewer than EIGHT musicians of various stripes: guitar, bass, vocals and drums, sure, but also shakers and keyboards and trombones. Come on. Sheer pop goodness. Sometimes it sounds like a circus, and sometimes they channel Queen a bit, but there is no denying the well-crafted nature of their songs, the creative lyricism, and the downright danceability and quality rock 'n' roll.

Although they are in completely different veins, my sister remarked that the vibe at the show was like fellow Arizonans Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers in concert, if you've heard me rave about them. It was the same electric sensation throughout the crowd that uplifts and unites and (at the risk of sounding like a cornball) reaffirms your faith in the power of a fantastic live music experience.

I agree with blog buddy Nathaniel when he says, "I've seen a lot of shows, and The Format rank up there with the very best of them." Very very best indeed.

TOUR DATES:
Here are your remaining chances to see them live on this tour. If you've ever said to yourself, "Hey, Heather has made some decent musical recommendations," then TRUST ME ON THIS, lay down the twelve kopecks or whatever and GO SEE THEM. You absolutely will not be disappointed:

Aug 23 - Salt Lake City, UT - In The Venue
Aug 25 - Seattle, WA - Neumo's
Aug 26 - Portland, OR - Loveland
Aug 27 - Orangevale, CA - Boardwalk
Aug 28 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
Aug 29 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues
Aug 31 - Hollywood, CA - Avalon
Sep 1 - San Diego, CA - Soma
Sep 2 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues/Courtyard
Sep 22 - Birmingham - Carling Academy
Sep 23 - Manchester - Apollo
Sep 24 - Leeds - Leeds University Union
Sep 26 - Cambridge - Corn Exchange
Sep 27 - Southampton - Southampton Guildhall
Sep 29 - London - Carling Academy Brixton


AUDIO:
(Note: Does anyone know where I can find a good quality live/electric set from The Format? Here! Right here! Highly recommended: 2006 Western Tread Showcase set)

Tune Out (Interventions + Lullabies)
One of the first few songs, and everyone (including me) sang along at the top of their lungs when the chorus broke. It was a great moment.

She Doesn't Get It (off the new A+ album, Dog Problems)
Introduced as being a song about casual sex and Duran Duran.

Give It Up (Interventions + Lullabies)
They nailed this one last night. This is the first song I heard by The Format, and still one of my favorites.

The First Single (from the EP)
The final song, anthemic and sweaty and once again, everyone sang along. (Who names their first single "The First Single"? These guys do.)


TWO BONUS COVERS, just because:
The Lottery Song (Harry Nilsson cover, since some say they share a vibe)

For You (Bruce Springsteen cover from the Light of Day tribute CD)


VISUAL:
For the quantity of Format videos on YouTube, the good quality ones are quite hard to find.

"Tie The Rope" (officially shot video):


If you want to get a sense of The Format from where I was standing last night (in the roiling, churning, 15-year-old crowd), check out this girl's video clips from the Hartford, CT show. I wanted to embed the one of "She Doesn't Get It," but darn YouTube won't let me. It demonstrates Nate's patented microphone toss, the clapping and some of the fantastic crowd chemistry.

This one is of a poorer quality, but totally watchable, and I am including it because you can get a sense of how well the crowd knows the songs and sings along:
"Tune Out" video (7/14/06)

And because I forgot my camera, the lovely pictures above come from Taylor's post.


I had a strong sense watching these guys that they definitely have "IT" -- that star quality and superb music that could take them all the way to the top. Why are they not all over the radio and on everybody's iPod? I have a feeling that they will be soon.

Monday Music Roundup

Do you want to know what the biggest dilemma of my week to come is foreseen to be? Whether or not to vote on American Idol. Seriously, my life is hard (and I'm such a moron sometimes).

But listen: If I vote, then it is a confirmation to all that is good and holy that I have stooped to CARING about REALITY TV. Lord, no. Even though I am having an American Idol party at my house on Wednesday night.

Here are some good things I have added to my iPod rotation recently:

The 99th Floor
Primal Scream
Riot City Blues, the forthcoming release (June 6) from Scottish post-punk/rockers Primal Scream is a rollicking, bluesy, Stones-tinged romp. Just listen to the sick and sloppy slide steel guitar & blues harp on this one. Also download "Country Girl" over on their MySpace page, another excellent new cut from the formidable UK quartet.


She Doesn't Get It (acoustic)
The Format
Thanks to Nathaniel's insistent love for lithe indie-pop group The Format, I've been thoroughly apprised of the upcoming July 11 release of sophomore effort Dog Problems. I was fiercely in love with their perfect pop song "Give It Up" off their 2003 debut Interventions & Lullabies, so hearing that same earnest & warbling voice in this lovely song makes me happy. This is a great acoustic version of a song which will be on their new album -- and if you pre-order it on their website, you get a frisbee. It doesn't get much better than that.


Let Go (solo, piano)
Imogen Heap
As half of the London-based duo/Garden State favorite Frou Frou, the lovely Ms. Imogen Heap recently visited local KBCO up in Boulder, Colorado, and laid down this luminous version of "Let Go," with just her arresting voice and the ivory keys. Thanks to Don't Need Anything for posting this.


Strange Days (Doors remix)
Thievery Corporation
I just realized that I am totally unintentionally featuring two artists off the same Garden State soundtrack, which really, I didn't even love as much as your average 20-something apparently did. However, I am featuring this track, off Thievery Corporation's new release Versions, because it just sounded very very good to have a fresh take on The Doors slide across my musical palette. I have been reading excellent reviews of this disc, which features remixes of songs & collaborations with the likes of Nouvelle Vague, Sarah McLachlan, Norah Jones, and Astrud Gilberto. Oh, and I am pretty sure that this song was also featured on Alias recently, accompanying Sydney Bristow on one of her (last few) kickass missions.


Jackson Square
Mason Jennings
Acoustic strummer/sing-shouter Mason Jennings also has a new one out called Boneclouds. I've listened to it a few times through, and there aren't the same standout can't-help-but-stand-up-and-shake-it tracks as some of his previous releases - this one is more consistently mellow and introspective. Mason is a fine storyteller through his songs, and is able to craft tunes through just very simple guitar & drums most of the time. Plus, his voice has a very, very honest quality to it, which I find appealing.


Seacrest. Out.