Anyone who’s semi-regularly tuned into Triple J in the last 18 months will be familiar with the rambunctious hit, Ill Culinary Behaviour, with its infectious blend of good-time hip-hop beats and the dazzling wordplay of Format’s MC of choice, Abdominal.
The album that followed, Music For The Mature B-Boy, contained many such magic moments, with Abdominal guesting on a couple more tracks, and such hip-hop luminaries as Chali 2na and Akil also appearing. Sprinkled liberally betwixt the vocal numbers nestle some damn fine, straight-up funky instrumentals, each and every one infused with an infectious sense of fun.
It is this light-heartedness that’s the key to everything Format (born Matt Ford) produces, but he’s serious about it, as I found out when I interrupted his morning cup of tea in his Bristol pied-a-terre.
ITM: Matt, as you’re no doubt aware, Ill Culinary Behaviour got a fair old hammering on the radio over here. What do you attribute your popularity in Australia to?
Format: Did it? Really? That’s news to me! But that’s great. I guess what it comes down to is Australians are known for being easy-going, and my music probably fits in pretty well with that state of mind.
ITM: Well, I think you’re in for a good reception. Have you been to Oz before?
Format: Nope, this’ll be the first time ever. I’ve had things lined up over here before – I think three times now – and every time it’s always fallen through, so I’m really looking forward to it.
ITM: You’re playing Good Vibrations, which’ll take you to Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne. Are we going to be able to catch you in any sideshows?
Format: It doesn’t look like it. I haven’t been asked to do any, anyway! New Zealand was being talked about, but it never happened. I’m sure I’ll find something to do between shows! (NB Since this interview it has been announced that Format, Abdominal & D-Sisive will be supporting Handsome Boy Modelling School at the Metro Theatre in Sydney on Wednesday 16th February).
ITM: I don’t know about in the UK, but so often over here you’ll see a poster for a hip-hop, and then you see “RnB” after it and you know what you’re actually going to get is…
Format: ...not hip-hop, right! Actually, we’re lucky over here – there’s a lot of great, funky hip-hop out there. But on the other side of the coin, you’ve got to be careful about nights that just describe themselves as hip-hop because you’ll end up watching the DJ get into a 20 minute scratch-fest that’s only interesting to him and his two mates. That’s not what I’m about. I just want to play good-time, party hip-hop.
ITM: Music For The Mature B-Boy came across as almost a homage to old-school hip-hop. But is there any new hip-hop that’s currently blowing your skirt up?
Format: Absolutely. Jurassic 5 and Ugly Duckling, obviously. Also Edan is well worth checking out, if you haven’t come across him.
ITM: Anything that doesn’t hark back to the old school?
Format: Er, no! I mean, people like Rodney P and Skinnyman, how can I put this without sounding like a wanker, I respect what they’re doing, but it’s not really my thing. The early 90’s was the best time for hip-hop – the absolute pinnacle,. So what I want to do is recapture the sound of that era, but make it sound fresh. I want to discover those breaks that no-one’s heard before – like some crazy break from Estonia! It’s not about recycling, it’s about moving hip-hop forward, but rooting it in the early 90s sound. I mean, you listen to Abdominal rapping – his flow is really fresh.
ITM: Abdominal’s phenomenal, but tell us about D-Sisive, who’s coming with you on this tour. He didn’t appear on the album, so where does he fit in?
Format: He’s a friend of Abdominal’s. They’re both from Toronto and have been rapping together for years. I wanted to expand the stage show from being just me and Abs, and it turns out they compliment each other perfectly. Abs has the deep voice going, while D-Sisive is higher pitched, and they really bounce off each other. He’s on the new album a lot too.
ITM: I was about to ask whether there’s one on the horizon. When’s it out?
Format: It comes out in the UK in April, though I don’t know about Australia. It’s called If You Can’t Join ‘Em, Beat ‘Em. We’ve got Chali 2na and Akil on again, with plenty of Abdominal and D-Sisive, so it just picks up where the last one left off. If anything, it’s a bit harder.
So, you know what to expect from Format: good times and bouncing hip-hop beats. And really, what more do you want? Check him out on his upcoming Australian tour:
Sat Feb 12th, Brisbane – Riverstage (BUY TICKETS)
Sun Feb 13th, Melbourne – Sidney Myer Music Bowl (BUY TICKETS)
Wed Feb 16th, Sydney – Gaelic Club (w/ Handsome Boy Modeling School)
Sat Feb 19th, Sydney – Centennial Park (BUY TICKETS)
Sun Feb 20th, Perth – Belvoir Ampitheatre (BUY TICKETS)
