Ben Gibbard on Death Cab for Cutie, Making "Transatlanticism" and Defusing Bandmate Tension

Ben Gibbard is the voice of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service. He joins Guy to talk about forming Death Cab and recording their classic album Tranatlanticism, how the band learned to work through conflict, and how he approaches songwriting in middle age.
Death Cab For Cutie's most recent album is "Asphalt Meadows."
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[@philaeew4866]

Been Gibbard's living room concerts during COVID were what made me fall in love with DCFC music again, and more intensely than before. Heating him speak then made me realize how good a human being he seems to be apart from being a great musician. What a pleasant conversation, thank you so much!!

[@jakekbanx]

I think I was 13/ 14 when I first heard both Plans & Transatlanticism. I would go along on the long drive out to pick my brother up from our somewhat local big shopping center where he hung out with mates where he would bring home CD's. He'd play them on the way home & that dictated a lot of my early music taste. From there I'd listen to them on repeat until I fell asleep. Those songs are infused within my soul in the most nostalgic sense possible. They're part of my self image and where I've come from, emotionally.

[@refusedone]

I met Ben Gibbard & Chris Walla before a show in Santa Cruz years ago…they were so warm & kind and down to earth…Great interview, thank you

[@spinblackcircles]

Jesus this is a good interview. He sat down and just told you his entire life story haha. Super interesting I couldn’t stop watching

[@bird7622]

I would argue that he is the best singer/song writer of our time. I would also say they haven't produced a bad album.

[@joyfulgirlrecovery7526]

Ben Gibbard is the BEST lyricist and has the voice of a f*cking Angel. I just got to catch the tour at The Greek - I bought tickets a year ago and flew down from ALASKA for the show of a lifetime!!! I also flew down to Bend in June for the Asphalt Meadows tour and have now seen DCFC 10 times and plan on catching more shows until I can’t physically go anymore.

[@sageriver4373]

I was there, too! Awesome that you came such a long way.

[@RRAREBEAR]

Just saw death cab / postal service in albany NY tonight. Amazing. I’ve been a fan since plans! The way he recalls the specifics of the timeline is great to listen to. Very well spoken. Great interview!

[@jimsters2]

I was at that show too. It was amazing!

[@heathpiper]

In my mind- Ben embodies and embraces the essence of what an "Artist" is. He lives and breathes and ruminates and cares about what art he puts out into the world. He considers. He thinks about thinking. I believe an artist is someone who regularly practices and engages with their art form - daily in fact. Their work is simply a manifestation and extension of themselves. Ben's work and attitude towards his craft is inspired and has indeed inspired my creative work over many many years. It's a hoot to be alive at the same time as a craftsman like Ben- who helps me understand my existence and experience here on earth through the way he sees the world and communicates those ideas Through song. Cheers

[@NESADDICT]

Been one of my most favorite bands since the early 2000’s when transatlanticism came out. Happy he is still putting out quality music. Asphalt meadows was dope.

[@marikal.5792]

I've been a fan since The Photo Album. Love all his work. We just saw Death Cab and Postal Service (last night in Portland) and they were AMAZING!

[@columbo47]

Great interview, thank you!

[@cozxmos]

that was an outstanding exchange. as a lover of the band for the past 15 years and being a musician myself I want to thank you for the great questions as well as Ben for his generosity. killer late album btw. Marc from Montreal

[@paulfield6815]

What an amazing interview!

[@scotttucker9613]

Any time I see an interview like this, Ben feels like the big brother a lot of us never had but always wanted. What a cool dude. Great interview.

[@dommyg1196]

Great interview. Definitely My favorite singer/songwriter by a long shot! It’s cool to see you were a fan too, it showed through the questions you asked. How do you only have 3.5k subs!?

[@JoshSher_]

What a great interview! Asphalt Meadows is my favorite Deathcab album, I’ve listened to it so many times. To me, the newest albums of a good band/artist most of the time the most mature wine, with a very well rounded taste. Often when I go back and listen to older albums, I feel like the artists are trying a lot harder and sometimes things are a bit more forced. And on the newer stuff they feel more natural and are a lot better at handling subtleties. Which is quite an obvious observation. But I think that’s why I’m drawn to the new stuff, cause ideally it’s just the best version of them. Even though the style might have shifted, the core that you’ve always loved is still there.

[@tatasuzanne4316]

Thanks for the very cool interview, really Great exchange

[@colleensarmento9660]

I love that you mentioned the show the oc. Thats how i got into death cab!

[@JuanJimenez-od1ho]

This was very informative! Thanks

[@143nruiz]

Love this interview.

[@colleensarmento9660]

Thank you sooo much for this interview. ❤

[@burnthisghost]

…and a very nerdy cool realization. Ben has a Bass VI standing there in the background. Now that’s cool, I imagine him playing along to Disintegration every now and then 😊

[@MichaelAlso]

Excellent interview. Fantastic questions and telling answers. Great job!

[@guccitwitch4397]

Can’t wait to watch. Favorite band :’)

[@TheresaKim]

I remember the OK Hotel by the Viaduct! Then I remember it turned into this artist loft in the mid aughts. Wow, blast from the past!

[@joyfulgirlrecovery7526]

And knowing that Ben was raised Catholic definitely helps to make sense of why I feel so drawn to his music and feel understood.

[@davebaldwin3220]

Growing up in Redmond about the same time, he is so accurate about how the PNW felt at that time. I love that he mentioned Hammerbox and C/Z Records and the OK Hotel.

[@burnthisghost]

What a lovely interview! Thanks for this. I’ve always felt so connected to Ben‘s writing & songs, and he seems to be such a nice person as well.

[@FellDestroyedMusic]

Ben Gibbard, I love you

[@MaTTheWish]

Transatlanticism is a top-tier album, have you guys ever checked out Ben gibbards album inspired by Jack kerouac's Big Sur? So good!

[@honestlynuts__]

Thanks

[@reckonre]

"My dad always had records, always had a guitar resting up on the hearth" "your parents don't seem musically minded"

[@user-no6pg6sv9y]

Chris Stapleton Millionaire

[@lydiaponce8817]

I'm Catholic. I like that Ben Gibbard is Catholic. It makes me like him more. 😊