Tag: The Format

The Format’s Sam Means and Nate Nuess Release New Music Since The Duo’s Official Break Up

Posted on by Max Hammer

Originally published: Sept. 24th, 2009

One of the biggest disappointments in the rock world during the past year and a half was the official break-up of the awesome Arizona indie duo The Format. During the seven years they were together, The Format released two amazing albums, and a number of EPs, winning overwhelming praise from the music press, bloggers and fans.

Sam Means, one half of the now defunct music duo, recently scored the soundtrack to the indie comedy film The Sinking of Santa Isabel. The album for the soundtrack includes six songs and some 20 instrumental pieces. Means apparently came to make the soundtrack after the original score was scrapped by the film makers. Even though the budget was apparently non-existent by the time the opportunity came around for Means, he told Spin that wasn’t a problem: “It was a challenge I happily accepted. Who needs a budget when you have a laptop, a cheap microphone, and some extremely helpful friends?”

The song from the soundtrack featured here – and made possible by Spin – is called “Yeah Yeah.” Clocking in at just a few seconds under two minutes, the song starts out mellow and sweet and then picks up halfway with enhanced percussion rhythms, piano keys, a fiddle and a lush flow of choruses until it begins to fade out, with Means singing “yeah, yeah.”

“Yeah Yeah” – Sam Means from The Sinking of Santa Isabel (2009)

The other half of The Format, Nate Ruess, is currently involved with his new band called Fun, which includes Andrew Dost, formerly of Anathallo, as well as former Jellyfish and Steel Train members. Fun released their debut, Aim & Ignite, last month.

“Be Calm” – Fun from Aim & Ignite (2009)

Ears to the memories:

“Oceans” – The Format from Dog Problems (2006)

“Time Bomb” – The Format from Dog Problems (2006)

“Closer” – The Format, unreleased (2007)

“The Compromise” official YouTube video.

Most Popular Recent Posts/Playlists:

–Ears To The Music, Vol. III: New Indie Songs from Air Waves, Kings of Convenience, Yo La Tengo, The Clientele, Twilight Sad & More

– New Indie Releases This Week: Why?, The Pains, The XX, Jack of Heart, Fool’s Gold, The Mary Onettes & More

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Best Rarely Heard Songs of 2009, Vol. I – Sun Airway, The Ambience Affair, Brian Olive, The Bats, Land of Talk & More

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Previous Ears to the Music Playlists:

Ears To The Music, Vol. II: New Songs from The Flaming Lips, White Lies, Good Night States, Sea Wolf, A.A. Bondy & More

Ears To The Music, Vol I – New Songs from Choir Of Young Believers, The Very Most, Firs, The Love Language & More

World Ocean Day Mix: The Black Keys, The Format, Dennis Wilson, Sonic Youth, Vampire Hands, Sun Kil Moon, Love and Rockets

Posted on by Max Hammer

Orcas are just one of many threatened species in the world’s oceans (photo: NWF.org)

Dedicated to Al Gore

The planet faces a number of dire environmental threats, not only the problem of global warming. The oceans of our good earth are threatened, from the Atlantic and Pacific to the Arctic and Indian oceans. The ridiculous theory that floated around for decades was that the oceans were too big and deep to be affected by man’s polluting ways and from the pillage and plunder that has been wagged against them for the past century.

On Monday, June 8, hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of people worldwide, will honor, in various ways, World Ocean Day. Started in 1992, and given an official declaration this year by the United Nations, World Ocean Day is a symbolic gesture to raise awareness and encourage conservation and preservation of the oceans by governments and people everywhere. (See World Ocean Days by country)

In celebration of World Ocean Day, here’s a little mix with the hopes of raising even just a little awareness about how we all can turn the tide back in the oceans’ (and thus our own) favor. 

“Oceans & Streams” – The Black Keys from Attack & Release (2008)

“Oceans” – The Format from Dog Problems (2006)

“Delicious Ocean” – Love and Rockets from Lift (1998)

“Diamond Sea” – Sonic Youth from Washing Machine (1995)

“Sailing Man” – Neil Halstead from Seasons (2002)

“Ocean” – Velvet Underground, unreleased (1969)

“Out At Sea” – Pete Kilpatrick from Yesterday Love (2005)

“Ocean Breathes Salty” – Sun Kil Moon from Tiny Cities (2005)

“Oil Sea” – Vampire Hands from Virgin Dust American Lips (2009)

“Pacific Ocean Blues” – Dennis Wilson from Pacific Ocean Blue (2008)