Along with his writing partner, Nate Ruess, Sam Means was responsible for making some of the most compelling and forward-thinking pop music of the new millennium as one-half of indie-pop band The Format. The band's debut album, Interventions and Lullabies, produced the minor hit "The First Single" – but the follow-up, 2006's Dog Problems, was an instant classic, blending big band, folk, pop, rock and Broadway into an undeniable blend of fun.

Musically, things have been quiet for Sam since the Format disbanded in 2008, but he's back with his first solo album, 10 Songs, set for release this Friday, January 22 – and what a welcome return it is. I sat down with Sam late last year to chat about spreading his musical wings again, his writing partnership with Nate Ruess, our shared love of Third Eye Blind, and much more.

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