News
“It was not cool to be from Seattle.”
Aug 20, 2024
By Christopher Roberts
Starting today, fans of Seattle music and its history from jazz to grunge to rap to experimental are able to celebrate the region thanks to a new title, The Sound of Seattle, written by husband and wife duo Eva Walker (a DJ at KEXP and frontwoman of The Black Tones) and Jake Uitti (a longtime Under the Radar Contributor). More
Car Seat Headrest Cover “We Looked Like Giants” and The Beths Cover “Brand New Colony” for New Sub Pop Single
Oct 12, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Death Cab for Cutie’s Transatlanticism and The Postal Service’s Give Up have both turned 20 this year and as both bands are fronted by Ben Gibbard they have been on a joint tour where they perform both albums in their entirety. In honor of all this, Car Seat Headrest (aka Will Toledo and band) have covered Transatlanticism track “We Looked Like Giants” and The Beths have covered Give Up song “Brand New Colony.” The covers form a double A-side single for Sub Pop. More
The Theme Song to the New Show Starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford
Jan 27, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Ben Gibbard and composer Tom Howe have teamed up for the new song “Frightening Fishes,” which is the theme song for the new Apple TV+ show Shrinking. The comedy stars Jason Segel and Harrison Ford and premiered today. More
In Honor of the 20th Anniversaries of Transatlanticism and Give Up
Dec 08, 2022
By Mark Redfern
Next year, Ben Gibbard will be opening for himself. Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service, both which he is the frontman of, have announced a joint tour for 2023. Death Cab for Cutie will be performing their 2003 album, Transatlanticism. The Postal Service will be performing their 2003 album (and only full-length), Give Up. Both are celebrating their 20th anniversary next year. More
The Hardest Part Due Out September 16
Aug 26, 2022
By Joey Arnone
Noah Cyrus has shared a video for her new single, “Every Beginning Ends,” a duet with Benjamin Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie. It is the latest release from Cyrus’ forthcoming debut album, The Hardest Part, which will be out on September 16. More
Asphalt Meadows Due Out September 16 via Atlantic
Jul 13, 2022
By Mark Redfern
Death Cab for Cutie are releasing a new album, Asphalt Meadows, on September 16 via Atlantic. Now they have shared the album’s second single, “Here to Forever,” via an amusing video in which frontman Benjamin Gibbard has to press the band’s own vinyl after encountering some incompetent workers at the pressing plant. Lance Bangs directed the video, which also features comedians Natalie Palamides and Courtney Pauroso. More
Asphalt Meadows Due Out September 16 via Atlantic
May 11, 2022
By Mark Redfern
Death Cab for Cutie have announced a new album, Asphalt Meadows, and shared its first single, the short and distorted “Roman Candles,” via a lyric video. The band have also announced some new fall tour dates. More
Ocean Child: Songs of Yoko Ono Due Out This Friday
Feb 15, 2022
By Joey Arnone
Death Cab for Cutie have shared a cover of Yoko Ono’s 1973 song “Waiting for the Sunrise.” It is the latest cover to be released from the upcoming Ono tribute album, Ocean Child: Songs of Yoko Ono, which will be out this Friday (Feb. 18). More
Ocean Child: Songs of Yoko Ono Due Out February 18
Jan 26, 2022
By Joey Arnone
Japanese Breakfast (aka Michelle Zauner) has shared a cover of Yoko Ono’s 1981 song “Nobody Sees Me Like You Do.” It is the latest cover to be released from the upcoming Ono tribute album, Ocean Child: Songs of Yoko Ono, which will be out on February 18. More
David Byrne and Yo La Tengo Cover of “Who Has Seen the Wind?” Out Now; Album Out February 18
Jan 05, 2022
By Joey Arnone
Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and Canvasback Music/Atlantic Records have announced the release of a Yoko Ono tribute album, Ocean Child: Songs of Yoko Ono, which will be out on February 18. Curated by Gibbard, the album features 14 covers of Ono tracks from artists such as Sharon Van Etten, Death Cab for Cutie, US Girls, Japanese Breakfast, Jay Som, and Thao. A David Byrne and Yo La Tengo cover of Ono’s “Who Has Seen the Wind?” has just been released. More
Out Now via Mom + Pop / Ninja Tune
Dec 02, 2021
By Joey Arnone
San Francisco producer Tycho (aka Scott Hansen) and Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie have shared a remix of their collaborative track “Only Love” done by Oakland duo Brijean. It is out now via Mom + Pop / Ninja Tune. More
Due Out October 29 via Barsuk
Oct 13, 2021
By Joey Arnone
Death Cab For Cutie have announced a reissue of their 2001 third studio album, The Photo Album, in honor of its 20th anniversary. The 35-track reissue will feature a remastered version of the original album, along with unreleased tracks, rarities, UK b-sides, and covers of Björk’s “All is Full of Love” and The Stone Roses’ “I Wanna Be Adored.” In addition to the announcement, the band shared a previously unreleased demo for their song “Coney Island.” The reissue will be out digitally on October 29 via Barsuk, and will be released on vinyl in spring 2022. More
I Want the Door to Open Due Out This Friday via Hardly Art
Oct 06, 2021
By Mark Redfern
Lala Lala (aka Lillie West) is releasing a new album, I Want the Door to Open, this Friday via Hardly Art. Now Lala Lala has shared its fourth single, “Utopia Planet,” which features a spoken word section from West’s grandmother, as well as some saxophone playing by Sen Morimoto. Meggie van Zwieten directed the accompanying video. More
New Single Out Now via Mom + Pop/Ninja Tune
Jul 13, 2021
By Mark Redfern
Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie has teamed up with San Francisco producer Tycho (aka Scott Hansen) for the new song, “Only Love.” More
Mar 18, 2021
By Mark Redfern
One of the reliable fixtures of the early days of COVID-19 and the lockdown was Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie performing his Live From Home livestreaming solo concerts from his home studio. To mark the one-year anniversary of the launch of those concerts, last night Gibbard brought the format back and performed nine songs over the course of 52 minutes. More
The Georgia E.P. Available This Friday via Bandcamp and Features Covers of TLC, R.E.M., Neutral Milk Hotel, and More
Dec 03, 2020
By Joey Arnone
Death Cab For Cutie have announced a new 5-track EP, The Georgia E.P., which will be available on Bandcamp this Friday (Dec. 4). The Georgia E.P. features covers of songs by legendary artists originally from Georgia, including TLC, Neutral Milk Hotel, R.E.M., Vic Chestnutt, and Cat Power. It will be available for download for 24 hours (beginning 12:01 a.m. PT), and all proceeds from the EP will benefit Fair Fight Action, a voter’s rights organization founded by politician Stacey Abrams in 2018 that works to fight against voter suppression. More
The Band’s Cover Album of The Blue Nile's Hats is Out 12/18 On Better Company
Dec 01, 2020
By Caleb Campbell
Portland indie pop duo Pure Bathing Culture is releasing their cover of The Blue Nile’s “The Downtown Lights,” premiering with Under the Radar. The song is the first released from the band’s cover album of The Blue Nile’s 1989 classic Hats and marks the second release from Better Company, the Brooklyn-based record company owned by Ellis Ludwig-Leone and Allen Tate of San Fermin. The band first covered the record in 2018 for a limited vinyl release, but they have since recorded new versions for wide release. More
Amusing Voter Video Also Features Patton Oswalt, Kenny G, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Bret McKenzie (of Flight of the Conchords), Vanessa Bayer, Caroline Polachek, Tunde Adebimpe (of TV on the Radio), and Others
Oct 07, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Yesterday on social media The Postal Service teased that something was coming today. Calm down, no it’s not a long awaited new album from Ben Gibbard, Jimmy Tamborello, and Jenny Lewis. Instead they have shared an amusing video to encourage you to vote in which various notable people audition to join the band via Zoom, including Anne Hathaway, Michelle Zauner (aka Japanese Breakfast), Huey Lewis, Patton Oswalt, Kenny G, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Bret McKenzie (of Flight of the Conchords), Vanessa Bayer, Caroline Polachek, Tunde Adebimpe (of TV on the Radio), J Mascis, and others. More
His Wife Picked the Setlist
May 28, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
In response to the COVID-19 Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie has been livestreaming solo concerts from his home studio since March. Tonight he performed his final concert for a while and his wife Rachel Demy got to pick the setlist, which included a cover of Björk’s “All Is Full of Love.” More
His Latest Entire Live From Home Concert
Apr 10, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
In response to the COVID-19 Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie has been live streaming solo concerts from his home studio. During last night’s concert he performed all of Death Cab for Cutie’s 2000-released album We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes, which just celebrated its 20th anniversary. More
An All Covers Set for His Last Daily Live From Home Concert
Mar 30, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
In response to the COVID-19 Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie has been live streaming daily solo concerts from his home studio. Yesterday was his last daily concert, he is moving to weekly concerts starting this Thursday, and for the occasion he did another all-covers set (as he did last Sunday). He covered R.E.M.’s “Half a World Away,” The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven,” Morrissey’s “Everyday Is Like Sunday,” Hall & Oates’ “Out of Touch,” The Magnetic Fields’ “Strange Powers,” Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon,” Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge’s “Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends,” Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Only Living Boy In New York,” and Spiritualized’s “Hold On.” More
Plus Bob Dylan, Man Man, Hamilton Leithauser, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Mar 27, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Welcome to the twelfth Songs of the Week of 2020. It was another scary week out there, as America surpassed China and Italy to become the country with the most COVID-19 coronavirus cases in the world, with 101,242 known U.S. cases at the time of this writing and 1,588 American COVID-19 deaths. Meanwhile the world economy is in tatters and there’s no realistic end to the quarantine in sight, despite what President Trump says about everything opening back up again in time for Easter. More
His Latest Live From Home Concert Also Featured Covers of The Flaming Lips, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Big Star, and Def Leppard
Mar 23, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
In response to the COVID-19 Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie has been live streaming solo concerts from his home studio. His latest concert was yesterday and it was an all-covers set in which he covered songs by Phoebe Bridgers, Elliott Smith, Rilo Kiley, The Shins, The Flaming Lips, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Big Star, and Def Leppard. More
He Performed Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees” Yesterday
Mar 18, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
In response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, for the next few weeks Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie will be live streaming solo concerts from his home studio. The first performance was yesterday and during the 45 minutes he covered Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees.” Gibbard has also announced on Twitter that he’s taking requests. More
Solo Concerts From His Home Studio
Mar 17, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
With most spring tours and festivals either postponed or cancelled, and with most of the world being told to stay at home as much as possible, all in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, some musicians are finding creative ways to still perform. Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie has announced that starting today and for the next few weeks he will be live streaming solo concerts from his home studio. More
I'll Send You The Stars Due Out January 3 via Barsuk
Jan 02, 2020
By Stephen Axeman
Benjamin Gibbard (of Death Cab for Cutie and Postal Service fame), and Telekinesis have shared their versions of two of James Mendenhall’s tracks off of the forthcoming commemorative compilation album, I’ll Send You The Stars, due out January 3 via Barsuk Records, and we are pleased to premiere it. More
Del Rey Also Performed with Julia Jacklin
Nov 05, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Last night at the Bellco Theater in Denver, CO Lana Del Rey sang a duet with Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, covering his classic 2005-released song “I Will Follow You Into the Dark.” Del Rey also performed a duet with Australian singer/songwriter Julia Jacklin, doing Jacklin’s own song “Don’t Know How To Keep Loving You.” More
Documentary Features Benjamin Gibbard, Julien Baker, The Twilight Sad, Sarah Silverman, and Others
Aug 15, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Frightened Rabbit have shared Tiny Changes, a new 24-minute behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of their recent tribute album Tiny Changes - A Celebration of ‘The Midnight Organ Fight’, where different artists covered each song on the band’s 2008 album The Midnight Organ Fight. The documentary features interviews with many of the artists on the tribute album about how they got involved and what the original 2008 album meant to them, including Benjamin Gibbard, Julien Baker, Sarah Silverman, The Twilight Sad, and others. More
Tiny Changes: A Celebration of the Songs of Scott Hutchison Available as a Free Download
Mar 24, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
In May 2018, Scott Hutchison, 36-year-old frontman for Scotland’s Frightened Rabbit, was found dead of apparent suicide after he was earlier reported missing by the band. Last December there was a benefit concert at Rough Trade in Brooklyn featuring the songs of Hutchison performed by Julien Baker, Ben Gibbard, Aaron Dessner from The National, Craig Finn, and others. Now the remaining members of Frightened Rabbit have released the concert as a live album that’s a free download or available to stream. More
Reflecting on the 50th Anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Assassination
Apr 06, 2018
By Stephen Mayne
This week we look at Martin Luther King Jr. and the impact he had half a century on from his death, plus there’re sanctions, walls, pay gaps, reworked wedding songs, and Superorganism. More
Plus A. Savage, Tricky, Zola Jesus, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
Jul 14, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
The first four singles from Arcade Fire‘s forthcoming new album, Everything Now, seem to have gotten a mixed response from fans, but we make no apologies for naming the album’s excellent and catchy first single, title track “Everything Now,” our #1 Song of the Week back on June 2. More
As Part of Gibbard's Bandwagonesque Covers Album For Sounds Delicious Vinyl Series, Out July 28
Jul 13, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Death Cab for Cutie‘s Ben Gibbard is covering Teenage Fanclub‘s 1991 album Bandwagonesque in its entirety. It will be released on July 28 on limited edition vinyl (with a download card) as part of Turntable Kitchen’s Sounds Delicious vinyl subscription series. Now Gibbard has shared a cover of Teenage Fanclub’s “The Concept” via an animated video. More
For Sounds Delicious Vinyl Series Also Featuring Local Natives, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, and More
Dec 13, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Death Cab for Cutie‘s Ben Gibbard is set to cover Teenage Fanclub‘s 1991 album Teenage Fanclub’s Bandwagonesque in its entirety. It will be released on limited edition vinyl (with a download card) as part of Turntable Kitchen’s Sounds Delicious vinyl subscription series. More
Part of the Anti-Trump “30 Days, 30 Songs” Project
Oct 10, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Death Cab for Cutie have shared a brand new song and video that is a clear statement against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. “Million Dollar Loan” is inspired Trump’s disputed claim that he started his business career with a small loan from his father of only one million dollars. The video was directed by Simian Design and features a Trump lookalike as a wall is built around him. The song is the first part of the “30 Days, 30 Songs” anti-Trump campaign put together by author/publisher Dave Eggers and Death Cab for Cutie manager Jordan Kurland. More
New Version of Song from Band's 2003-Released Fourth Album, Transatlanticism
Apr 28, 2015
By Christopher Roberts
It’s always strange when the favorite bands of your youth now have “classic albums” released a decade or more ago. Death Cab for Cutie’s Transatlanticism is now 12 years old (well, 11-and-a-half if you’re getting technical), and it’s their fourth album! More
Continuing Last Year's Conversation
Feb 03, 2015
By Mike Hilleary
Last fall a conversation between Death Cab For Cutie‘s Ben Gibbard and Sun Kil Moon‘s Mark Kozelek was posted online by The Thread, where the two longtime friends touched on a variety of topics from the difficulties of stage banter, to living in L.A. and San Francisco. More
Performs "Something's Rattling (Cowpoke)"
Dec 21, 2012
By Mike Hilleary
Last night Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard stopped by the set of Conan where he performed the track “Something’s Rattling (Cowpoke)” off his solo debut Former Lives. More
Nov 01, 2012
By Laura Studarus
With the help of a meddling record executive, Death Cab For Cutie’s Benjamin Gibbard tries his hand at being a bad boy in order to move copies of his new album, Former Lives. More
Listen to Solo Debut in its Entirety
Oct 09, 2012
By Mike Hilleary
With a week left before the arrival of his debut solo record Former Lives, Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard has posted the entire 12-song set online to stream. More
Oct 02, 2012
By Mike Hilleary
Having already shared a number of songs from his forthcoming solo debut Former Lives Ben Gibbard has come forward this morning to deliver yet another cut from the full-length. More
New Single Off Solo Debut
Sep 25, 2012
By Mike Hilleary
On Oct. 16 Ben Gibbard will release his debut solo album Former Lives on Barsuk. More
Aug 28, 2012
By Mike Hilleary
On Oct. 16 Ben Gibbard will release his debut solo album Former Lives. More
Aug 14, 2012
By Mike Hilleary
Last month Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard announced that he would be releasing Former Lives, his debut solo album. More
Dave Eggers and Jordan Kurland Want to Remind You to Vote for the President
Aug 09, 2012
By Michele Yamamoto
With three months to Election Day, fellow Chicagoans Dave Eggers and Jordan Kurland are here to remind voters of President Barack Obama’s first term accomplishments with “90 Days, 90 Reasons.” More
Ode to Former Seattle Mariner
Jul 24, 2012
By Mike Hilleary
Yesterday, All-Star baseball player Ichiro Suzuki made his official debut in a Yankees uniform after a recent trade from his longtime team the Seattle Mariners. More
Former Lives Out This October
Jul 17, 2012
By Mike Hilleary
Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard has announced that he will release his debut solo album later this fall. More
Call it Quits on a Two Year Marriage
Nov 02, 2011
By Laura Studarus
Sad news: Death Cab For Cutie’s Ben Gibbard and She & Him/New Girl Zooey Deschanel have called it quits on the their marriage of two years. More
Apr 04, 2011
By Mike Hilleary
aving already given a taste of the new Death Cab for Cutie album Codes and Keys with “You Are a Tourist,” frontman Ben Gibbard has provided fans with a stream of his solo work “When the Sun Goes Down On Your Street.” More
Video From Seattle Benefit Show
Nov 04, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Last night, Ben Gibbard hit the stage at Seattle’s Crocodile to raise money for youth organization Teen Feed. In addition to a few oldie but goodies from bands Death Cab For Cutie and The Postal Service, he pulled out a few surprises. We have the video. More
Most Patriotic Couple in Indie Rock?
Oct 20, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Proving they’re the most patriotic couple in indie rock (or at least the biggest baseball fans), husband and wife Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) and Zooey Deschanel (She & Him) performed at today’s Giants vs Philles game in San Francisco. More
Death Cab for Cutie's Twilight Song Now Streaming Online
Sep 14, 2009
By Laura Studarus
As previously reported, Death Cab for Cuite member Ben Gibbard and Son Volter Jay Farrar have collaborated on an album inspired by beat poet Jack Kerouac titled One Fast Move Or I’m Gone: Kerouac’s Big Sur—due out October 20th. Now the two are heading out on tour. We have the dates in full. Death Cab for Cutie’s Twilight song is also now streaming online. More
Son Volt and Death Cab For Cutie Members Pen Prose-Inspired LP
Aug 14, 2009
By Michele Yamamoto
Son Volt’s Jay Farrar and Death Cab For Cutie’s Ben Gibbard have announced the release of an upcoming collaboration known as One Fast Move Or I’m Gone: Kerouac’s Big Sur. Inspired by none other than beat writer Jack Kerouac More
Interviews
Gibbard Also Discusses The Postal Service’s Give Up and Death for Cutie’s 2005 Album Plans
Oct 06, 2023
By Candace McDuffie
Ben Gibbard couldn’t have asked for a more mythical year than 2003. More
Dec 21, 2020
By Matt Fink
As Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie walked around Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood in the pre-lockdown days of the pandemic it was eerily quiet, like that week between Christmas and New Year’s when most of the city’s tech industry transplants have gone back to their home states. More
Mar 27, 2020
By Jacob Uitti
The city of Seattle is many things. It’s a hub for tech companies, food and drink establishments, and, perhaps most importantly, music. The lineage of Emerald City greats pushes well into the past and continues with standout after standout today from Pearl Jam to Death Cab For Cutie to Thunderpussy, The Decemberists, Car Seat Headrest, and The Black Tones. More
"[My version of hell would be] sitting on the tarmac of an airplane after an international journey waiting for the gate, but the gate never opens up."
Nov 16, 2018
By Chris K. Davidson
To end out the week, we ask Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie (and also The Postal Service) some questions about endings and death. Death Cab for Cutie has been a pivotal act in bringing indie rock to the mainstream in the mid-to-late 2000s with seminal releases such as Transatlanticism, Plans, and Narrow Stairs. More
Paul Banks, Wayne Coyne, Kevin Drew, Black Francis, Ben Gibbard, Jens Lekman, Murray Lightburn, Colin Meloy, Nina Persson, Laetitia Sadier, and More on Indie Rock's Identity Crisis
Mar 20, 2017
By Matt Fink
In 2001, when Under the Radar‘s first issue was released, the music industry had reached a transitional moment. In January, Apple introduced its iTunes program to the world, laying the groundwork to forever change how listeners interfaced with their music. More
Reviews
Aug 17, 2017
By Matthew Berlyant
Let’s be honest here. For most listeners, covers albums are often trite at worst and at best, are faithful reproductions of the work of the artists that they intend to pay tribute to. This applies as well as to many works like these, where an artist covers an album from start to finish. More