fun.

Fun is what happens when three extraordinarily talented musicians come together to create something altogether new and wonderful. Nate Ruess, late of The Format, has teamed up with ex-Anathallo multi-instrumentalist Andrew Dost and Steel Train’s Jack Antonoff, resulting in their ingenious debut, AIM AND IGNITE. The trio melds a stunning array of diverse inspirations – spanning Broadway to The Beach Boys, NILSSON SCHMILSSON to PINKERTON – into an irresistible collection of freewheeling pop songcraft. Songs like “Benson Hedges” and “All The Pretty Girls” are fit to burst with richly prolix lyricism and intricate melodic twists and turns, which provide plenty of room for Ruess’ distinctive vocals to soar. With AIM AND IGNITE, Fun have crafted something special indeed, a contemporary rethinking of classic 70s pop, where ornate arrangements and inspired orchestrations meet present-day rock ‘n’ roll.

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As 2008 began, Ruess was living the dream, with The Format having ascended from its origins in suburban Arizona to modern rock stardom and critical acclamation. But after almost a decade as friends and bandmates, the personal relationships among the group had begun eroding and in February, The Format decided to split. Shocked, though not entirely surprised, Ruess opted to turn the crisis into an opportunity, taking his newfound freedom as the chance to explore previously untapped musical options. “In the back of my mind, I’d always wanted to work with other people,” he continues.“Especially after working with the same people for eight years. It’s a lot like getting married at a young age – you begin to wonder about what you haven’t experienced.”

Just one day after being told The Format was no more, Ruess reached out to multiinstrumentalist Andrew Dost, late of the elastic experimental ensemble Anathallo. The two had initially bonded when Anathallo supported The Format on tour, with Ruess floored by Dost’s astonishing versatility, ranging from piano to glockenspiel to flugelhorn– often in the space of just one song. Moreover, the Michigan-based Dost’s musical interests ran parallel to Ruess’ own, especially his affinity for showtunes, as evinced on his 2008 musical, “COLUMBUS!” To indulge “my rock nature” Ruess dialed his longtime friend, guitarist Jack Antonoff of Steel Train. Though the two artists had butted heads while touring together with their respective bands, Ruess and Antonoff ultimately formed a lasting friendship. A week later, Ruess and Dost were in New Jersey, where they set to work in Antonoff’s parents’ living room. Ruess – who composes his elaborate melodies and adventurous song structures without actually playing an instrument – found in Dost and Antonoff the ideal foils for his artistic ambitions.

Having already formed strong individual identities, the three musicians adapted to fit the constraints of their new collaboration. Each member changed their approach with every song, discovering how to fit to together as a band. Fun is first and foremost about the bond, both professional and personal, that unites these three amazing musicians. For his part, Ruess – who recently moved from his lifelong home in Arizona to the wilds of downtown Brooklyn – can’t help but to be thrilled by the surprising path his life has taken. Simply put, he’s having fun.