"Rounded out with a horn section, crowd-noise samples and shimmery guitar pedals, the breathless indie pop and broken-hearted lyrics of "Dog Problems" deserve every bit of the attention they are receiving.”
- Reuters/Billboard

She Doesn't Get It - MP3

We have all had dog problems but nothing like the lead vocalist of the The Format. Debuting last week at 77 on Billboard’s Top 200, the Format's sophomore album Dog Problems is receiving heavy praise. All this as a result of 12 eclectic tracks inspired by a five year relationship mended each time with the purchase of a new dog. We caught up with lead vocalist, Nate Ruess, last night before a brilliant show at the Culture Room in Ft. Lauderdale.

For our readers who are not familiar with your band, can you share the story of The Format and how you guys got your start in Phoenix, AZ?

All of us started doing shows as kids. It’s funny because I remember Sam was the only one old enough to drive us around. The Format name stuck because we had stopped being in bad pop bands and or sound did not translate to a genre. So that name kind of helped us get classified when we are not easily classifiable.

This album is vastly different from your first, where did the instrumentation ideas come from?

The first one was more of a power pop album, whereas this one is more traditional with a lot more horns and arrangements. We have always been obsessed with this band Jellyfish and this guy Roger Manning who used to work with them really helped us. From the beginnning we were all on the same page, talking about Disney movies and other ideas.

Disney movies?

I just love how the old Disney movies sound. Things like Bambi have flutes and woodwinds and they sound amazing. We wanted to capture some of those ideas, similar to the Van Dyke Parks from the seventies.

Why the title, Dog Problems?

It’s about getting through this long five year relationship. Every time we would break or get back together we would get a dog. I ended up with three dogs: Nico (mini-bull terrier), Otis (labradoodle- lab and poodle mix) and Striker (Rottweiller). Nico ran away while we were making Dog Problems, Otis lives with me and my roommate and striker is with my parents.

You have three shows in Florida and then you head north in what appears to be a jam packed schedule? Do you get any free time?

The schedule is kind of grueling and our bus is janky - the air doesn’t work. It has been a problem, we were even late for our in-store in Tampa yesterday. But the tour is great I shouldn’t complain. I wat to get to the beach tonight. After the show I want to find a place to go body surfing.

Metallica announced today that they would sell on I-Tunes. What are your thoughts about distribution as an indie band? Does Myspace and the internet really help you guys?

It helps completely (Format Myspace). It’s a way for people to find out about music. When I was in high school you did not have the same exposure. Now anyone can find out about anyone. Is Radio play still important? I don’t see radio as make or break; touring is wear it is at.

Do you prefer to be in studio or on stage?

I am a studio guy myself, that is really where I can be creative, but this tour is great. Sometimes we have 10 people on stage when we have back up vocals and horns. It has also been unreal to do these last two tours with Anathallo. They are just an unbelievable band- the way the crowd reacts to them is awesome. These kids are not used to something that out there and it is really uplifting.

Of all the venues you will perform at on this tour which one are you excited about?

I am pretty excited about New York City and Irving Plaza. We have played there before but never headlined in NYC. To sell out Irving two weeks before our show is great.

Good luck the rest of the way!

Thanks.