Ben Gibbard: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

by STEPHEN THOMPSON
Ben Gibbard has spent so much time at the head of various bands - Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service, All-Time Quarterback - that it's easy to forget how well his sweetly brainy songs work in a solo acoustic setting. His melodies are sturdy enough to withstand skeletal arrangements, and though his persona is unassuming by nature, he remains a charismatic and charming live performer.
Gibbard just released a solo album, Former Lives, which he's said is a repository for material that didn't work as Death Cab for Cutie songs; from that record, only "Teardrop Windows" pops up in his Tiny Desk Concert. For the rest, he draws from Death Cab's most recent album ("St. Peter's Cathedral," from Codes and Keys) and, of all places, last year's Arthur soundtrack ("When the Sun Goes Down on Your Street").
In all, Gibbard's set makes a fine choice as the 250th Tiny Desk Concert we've published since the series was born nearly five years ago: For all the big, elaborate set-ups we've entertained in the NPR Music offices, it's always nice to return to the series' origins as a place for quiet singer-songwriters to do their thing unadorned, without getting drowned out by other sounds. Even minus a band at his back, Gibbard warrants the undivided attention.
Set List
"St. Peter's Cathedral"
"Teardrop Windows"
"When The Sun Goes Down On Your Street"
Credits
Producer: Bob Boilen; Editor: Denise DeBelius; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Denise DeBelius, Christopher Parks; photo by Lauren Rock/NPR

[@tiathomas3161]

Ben is such an amazing lyricist. His voice is so soothing, it's like a warm blanket.

[@hulkhatepunybanner]

Ben took off his tuque so you know he means business.

[@UnfamiliarPlace]

pa dum pa dum pa dum pum pum!

[@megadstoe]

Love how the one guy in the crowd asks Ben questions and then tells him to stop the story and continue singing. Make up your mind! I like it when the singers insert stories into their performances

[@rachelleitz3867]

To me it sounds like they're saying something like "Where's the song, can you write the song right now?" referring to the story Ben's telling.

[@FungusyHam]

He is actually one of my favorite musicians, and is pretty well known for Death Cab for Cutie and the Postal Service. My personal favorite is the song "Transatlanticism" by Death Cab, I highly recommend giving that a listen. If you don't like it that's fine, I'm just hoping it might change your perspective. Have a nice day :)

[@Subject412]

6 years ago, my wife and I saw DCFC live. They were one of my favorite bands but this was the first opportunity I had to see them. My wife too. She was 8.5 months pregnant but wouldn't miss it for the world. One of the songs they did for the encore was "Transatlanticism". And we stood in the crisp fall evening, listening to one of the most beautiful songs in the world, as I held my wife from behind and felt our daughter grooving in her belly to the music as well. It was one of the best moments of my entire life.

[@BarthF]

Beautiful! Ben Gibbard is one of the best songwriters of the last decades!

[@SteventheThorn]

St. Peter's Cathedral is one of my fav DCfC songs and this rendition is lovely.

[@denisdonn]

I'm always gutted on my ipod that Grapevine fires doesn't play straight after

[@vvavie4858]

SteventheThorn bum bum bum bum budum bum bum lol

[@guyjobinguy]

It's such an amazing song and I wish the ending was long twenty minutes long

[@darasusilo8595]

I can relate to many of Death Cab's songs, but I cannot imagine how a person can reach that high phase of lyric writing.

[@iiiiiivviiixiiixxi1612]

practice, exploration, incremental improvement and natural ability + a bit of luck. That will answer most questions about achievement. As far as application goes the first 3 are factors you can influence the final 2 are not. I hope this answer has not found you too late.

[@MsGumshoe22]

I love listening to NPR music tiny desk recordings. very beautiful..

[@sjsh5837]

This is the most incredible performance, and it sounds amazing on my headphones. Kudos to the recording team, and of course to the genius that is Ben Gibbard :)

[@MorRobots]

It was recorded at NPR Music's offices... I think they know what they are doing :P

[@JL0ndon]

I thought the mix could have been a little louder on the guitar lol but his voice sounded brilliant

[@lillyrocks2011]

Love his voice and lyrics. Love DCFC, and the PS. Since like 10 years ago.

[@aspectratio6580]

His ability to write lyrics to touch your soul is second to none. Very happy I stumbled upon this. Beautiful.

[@danejurus69]

If I could have anybody's singing voice in the whole world, I'd want Ben Gibbard's. It's just so unique and beautiful.

[@illuminatihandboards]

Takes a special mind to write a song so beautiful about a building. Always come back to this Tiny Desk and still consistently can't fathom having this kind of talent..

[@v3sinned]

Ben then, Ben now and Ben forever! this is so Awesome.. wish i could hear him live!

[@mariananielapm]

Damn Ben! How much I love you! Thank you Tiny Desk for this amazing channel

[@aloneonatrain]

Ben is flawless as always, and the TDC setting works so brilliantly at showcasing his talent. I will never get enough of these videos.

[@Nvm26748]

I have so much love for Ben Gibbard, everything from Death Cab for Cutie, to his own stuff is simply brilliant.

[@BlankAdapter]

I think at 7:43 the guy is asking "Where's the song? Can you just write the song right now?", as if to ask why Ben Gibbard hasn't written a song about his experience with the stroke guy. I hope that's what he's saying, anyways. And I'd totally buy that song.

[@BlGGESTBROTHER]

It was a strange comment either way. Was pretty rude of him to keep interrupting Ben's story like that.

[@danroman222]

I'm literally stunned that I hadn't seen this until now. Why doesn't this have hundreds of thousands of views?! Ben is spectacular.

[@m1k3br4v0]

Ben is fantastic. A poet through and through. This is a classic TDC.

[@bravotozero]

This guys songwriting talents have no end, and the way he sings is just amazing.

[@sudohumancollective6702]

This is one of my favorite Ben songs. I always felt that this was actually a Postal Service song that ended up on the cutting room floor and after reflection wound up on a Death Cab album but is in either case a beautiful rumination on life and existence.

[@quintonobrien7209]

Ben Gibbard was born for Tiny Desk Concerts. This and the Death Cab videos are just amazing. They both feel like they were taken from scenes and soundtracks of 1980's John Hughes movies.

[@Dulcimer.MP3]

I heard his voice while clicking through videos and I just stopped because it just took me by surprise. I don't think he necessarily has something no one else has but it's just beautiful

[@ThePyzaist]

what a lovely artist and story.

[@Vladhagen]

This is the first Tiny Desk performance I ever heard. And I still think it might be my favorite.

[@BoneSesh]

One of my favorites from NPR Music. Would love to see Wood & Wire make an appearance on here.

[@lardog112]

Thank you Ben.

[@Teona1212]

Wonderful ! Thank you.

[@guyfughgtuik]

SO awesome to see Ben Gibbard doing his thing fresh and strong as ever~ Former Lives

[@asosadmin]

So soulful. So real. This is an amazingly talented man!

[@JNMshore]

Fantastic! I didn't realize that I had been frowning all day until this simple performance made me smile.

[@AwkinsAching]

This is wonderful

[@iamzaymusic]

I could listen to Ben Gibbard all day.

[@JonTigert]

congrats on 5 years of TDC! One of my favorite things on youtube. and Ben is killer without a band.

[@mikiemurray1279]

a breath of fresh air to the world ben nice to see i stay a wake to hear thanks

[@WGBHMusic]

250 Tiny Desk Concerts! (slow clapping.... building to standing ovation...) Take a bow, NPR Music.

[@adammccann9595]

This is amazing

[@twood023]

I thoroughly enjoyed this.

[@BarelyAwesome1]

Thank goodness for Ben Gibbard.

[@kyststudio-epicartadventure]

Fellow songwriter, I’m hooked. Love it.

[@ArwenFonzen]

Love the lyrics to 'teardrop windows'!! I wanna be able to write that poetically someday. And met Ben someday too! :)

[@tombusog]

I love you Ben from the bottom of my heart :)

[@manuelpineiro8532]

Congrats to the sound mixer. Sounds great.

[@floydgoodenough9482]

Amazing strumming

[@mwmulv]

Love St Peters Cathedral, best song on that album for me for now

[@SFLANate]

Fans of Ben Gibbard are sure to love Jeremy Messersmith. His single Tourniquet is a beautiful introduction to his collection of love songs called Heart Murmer.

[@veronnna]

La voz de Ben Gibbard me ha derretido el corazón por siempre.

[@devonfarrar6313]

Yeah for sure

[@joshthebasil]

About time!!!

[@shanschaf9047]

i don't know why his voice is so special to me. but i know it's why death cab for cutie is my favorite band.

[@MrPittsSox]

I have to say that I like how forward the vocals are.

[@acombrich79]

Brilliant

[@ally8036]

To me, Teardrop Windows is so perfect for his vocal range!

[@mcm11793]

My favorite thing on the internet.

[@patrickn8355]

Other than dallas green, ben gibbards music touches me like no other can. Simply beautiful and haunting at the same time.

[@terrific-bats]

great !

[@TheHolyMongolEmpire]

I plan on it. Im moving to Pittsburgh in one week from Houston TX.

[@grahamrobson998]

Very Very Nice

[@xarmanhsh2981]

amazing. This world is amazing. And i am not saying that high on nothing other than his music.

[@dayonmage3946]

a hell of a lot of us have prolly listened to ben gibbons all day long. oh me me me me me me

[@katfranco5440]

Ben es Magia!

[@Oakheart]

I love ya man you say what needs to be said. Still you miss the music for the tech. He manages, despite, to touch people's hearts. That is music.

[@PoetlaureateNFDL]

This guy is good!

[@droche321l]

Gibbard's has a great quality to is voice, Interesting to see the evolution of his talent. Ben reflects openness and honesty in his lyrics and in his interviews. Loved the temp interview. Subs like temps have the magic invisibility cloak. And the TBI guy, funny. I remember being in constant trouble with my x for agreeing to do something and then not knowing what he was talking about. At least I said, Oh Okay let's go! LOL! Professors really don't dig the fact you don't know what they said!

[@jamesvenice3086]

Deborah Waters sorry?

[@yyyy803]

buenisssssima tu cancion espero oir mas de ti ,,,, wonder words ,,,i hope to hear more from you ,,,hi from karmiel israel

[@1500rosa]

I fucking love this guy.

[@swaffles44]

best 250 videos on youtube

[@AcmeNewsLLC]

@2 there is nothing past this!

[@kamisama69666]

recently saw Death Cab for Cutie live, the whole show was fucking A M A Z i N G

[@ChaseN194]

Would love to see Ben on a Gorillaz project. That would be amazing.

[@mrjohnbruton]

Loved his temp job story at 06:35

[@leticiam8804]

l like it.!!!

[@josiegreco]

A previous comment states that the band has lost its edge. If you want Ben Hibbard with more "edge", postal service would suffice, I love it all, yes his voice is sooo soothing

[@quitekaiser]

He told us about it when we were at The Postal Service concert.

[@actlloyd]

I thought I heard that too. Strange.... Ben is the man btw! :)

[@DirtCheapFU]

true. but I dont remember taking a trip last year to St Peter's Basilica. js

[@Zyswest]

lol at all the troll comments--this is a beautifully executed set by both Ben & the npr team. well done!

[@iwannaburjoeyramone]

Ben Gibbard is a freaking genius.

[@kendalreese818]

Him and Colin meloy would be cool together

[@austinm419]

THERE'S NOTHING PAST THIS

[@user-ib6xy4re3f]

I had a teenage crush on Zooey Deschanel. I feel for you Ben 😢

[@user-ib6xy4re3f]

Also this is for a girl who went to UW that I loved since first laying eyes on her in Fall 2004. ❤🐆

[@MiddleManFootball]

BOB DYLAN IN THE TOP LEFT CORNER!!!!!!!!! GIBBARD IS JUST AWESOME THOUGH!

[@geraldh78]

I was a temp, and I got down to leaving an hour early before people started to notice. No relation.

[@NoRemainder]

The offical name of St. Peter's is St, Peter's Cathedral Basilica. you're good man.

[@diastel1996]

Fucked now :C Sad that they broke up. But hey, that means the next album is gonna be bloody amazing.

[@rasterbate87]

I often do.

[@venanciofilhoyoga]

♫ baram baram bam bam, bam bam ♫

[@thomasnev8668]

Man crush spread btw Ben Gibbard & Australian Paul Dempsey

[@coldoasis2142]

Ben, if you ever read this, all my dreams would come true if I sang as well as you and not to mention write half as good.

[@davidm8537]

I think it's both. A basilica can also be a cathedral.

[@13magic74]

I want to like this guy (and DCFC), I do. I just can't seem to do it.

[@jomr4249]

Why not?

[@davidkzoo]

He has his beliefs. You have yours. Unless you have the amazing talent that Ben has to relay the beliefs, then keep yours to yourself. Thank you for your cooperation.

[@cjdenino7722]

He reminds me of John Darnielle (The Mountain Goats)

[@M00SE414]

In looks? Don’t really hear it in the voice. John does love to tell stories during performances like Ben did here, though.

[@lukethecreator]

What is the guy in the background saying at 7:45? Is he telling Ben to just play the song?? D:

[@BlGGESTBROTHER]

Yeah, what the heck? It sounded like he said "where's the song, just play the song!"

[@evenflowcss]

Teardrop windows

[@henryhaprov6771]

ooooohhh i think i like this acoustic version of teardrop windows better

[@favoritanton]

except that this Ben guy has been releasing albums since the 90's, headlined music festivals all over the world and had nr 1's on Billboard.

[@pomeroy00]

this guy is my idol. Ridiculously talented and has a great sense of humor. His main band, Death Cab for Cutie, are absolutely superb and my favourite band of all time. Check them out.

[@bethainy]

Eternity

[@pedrobraga9248]

they need to mix the set a little better, hardly no guitar

[@NeKo487]

Pedro Braga I agree, but they were only using one mic in this instance, so this is how it actually sounded.

[@maevegreenleaf5957]

+Niko Carvajal Yeah, and shotgun mics really aren't that great for music. I've never been too sure why NPR uses it.

[@jamescollington9377]

yeah, they literally pick up what theyre pointed at.. in this case Ben's face...

[@louieo.blevinsmusic4197]

Did he say these last two and only play one after?

[@ColmHinds112]

Well, you can't be sure it's the basilica he's refering to. There are probably hundreds of St.Peters cathedrals around the world. Could be any of them.