music memories
Video preview: Death Cab For Cutie, through the years (and tonight at AustinMusic Hall)
Tonight, indie pioneers Death Cab for Cutie take the stage at Austin Music Hall with Seattle synth-rocker Telekenesis. If you balk at bestowing the title “pioneers” upon them, keep in mind that the band dates back to 1997, long before The OC and Atlantic Records helped launch the quartet to fame. (And let’s just pretend that Twilight anthem “Meet Me on the Equinox” never happened, k?)
Beginning as Ben Gibbard’s solo project (a break from then-current groups Pinwheel and All-Time Quarterback), and eventually flowering out to another Gibbard-fronted act, The Postal Service, the band has its roots in rock led by acoustic harmonies and soft, but scholarly, lyrics. Their twee reputation is bolstered by the fact that Gibbard recently wed hipster dreamgirl Zooey Deschanel, and the fact that the guys generally resemble the plaid-shirted, glasses-wearing archetype of the genre—but, just like they’ve never changed their look, they’ve also never stopped delivering poppy love songs with surprising depth.
In anticipation of tonight’s show, let’s take a video tour of some memorable Death Cab moments (and a few bonus Ben Gibbard clips).
Death Cab for Cutie - “No Sunlight” – Black Cab Session
If you’ve ever wondered what the acoustics are like in a mid-size sedan, wonder no more.
Death Cab for Cutie - “The Sound of Settling”
My favorite part is when the gingerbread man attacks the drummer. Adorable!
Death Cab on The OC
Though the Austin Music Hall is a bit bigger than The Bait Shop, a taste of what to expect tonight.
Death Cab plays Whirlyball
Oh, and they’ve got great senses of humor. While Gibbard does some acting (appearing in John Krasinski’s adaptation of Brief Interviews With Hideous Men), this makes me want to see a DCFC reality show.
A little extra Gibbard:
The Postal Service - “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight”
Plus opener:
Telekenesis – “Awkward Kisser”
From the piano to the mannequin to that adorably messy hair, Telekenesis gets an A+ for aaaaadorable.
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Death Cab For Cutie plays the Austin Music Hall on Tuesday, October 11; tickets are available online.