Death Cab for Cutie: 2026
Death Cab for Cutie at Studio Litho (photo by Ryan Thrower, PR)
For this remote FUV Live session with Death Cab for Cutie, I spoke to frontman Ben Gibbard about the making of the band's 11th studio album, I Built You a Tower.
Gibbard reflected on reconnecting with his bandmates Nick Harmer, Dave Depper, Zac Rae and Jason McGerr following the landmark joint 20th anniversary tour with The Postal Service, celebrating both Transatlanticism and Give Up. Gibbard shared what it was like for him fronting two beloved groups every night and how that experience shaped his creative mindset.
Gibbard, who recently turned 50, spoke candidly about the long arc of his career and the lessons he's learned over the decades. Those experiences informed not only the songwriting on I Built You a Tower, but his collaborative approach with the band today.
We also discussed Gibbard's longtime admiration for Paul Simon, including the subtle tribute hidden within the album's two different versions of the title track.
The band's session, recorded at Studio Litho in Seattle, included three songs from I Built You a Tower: "Full of Stars," "Pep Talk," and "Stone Over Water," and showcased the warmth, nuance, and emotional depth that defines the music of Death Cab for Cutie.
[Interview recorded 5/20/26. Songs recorded at: Studio Litho in Seattle, WA. Mixed by Jason McGerr and engineered by Jon Roberts.]
