We have this really retro vibe and style of songwriting and, personally, I wasn't embracing the current state of music until I fell in love with hip-hop. It felt good to suddenly embrace where music was headed, and I think hip-hop is the best at that, because it feels so progressive and everybody wants to be the best.

He joined punk bands in high school (Nevergonnascore This Past Year) and upon graduation chose to pursue music. Despite receiving generally positive reviews the album was not a commercial success peaking at 71 on the Billboard 200. Career


2001–2008: The Format
After forming in 2001 The Format released a demo titled EP which generated local interest and led to the band being signed to Elektra Records in 2002.

Ruess was the singer for The Format and is currently the lead vocalist of Fun. Nathaniel Joseph "Nate" Ruess (born February 26 1982) is an American indie/indie rock singer-songwriter from Arizona.