Live session by Death Cab for Cutie recorded for NPR’s Tiny Desk, at the radio’s offices in Washington, in 2026. An emblematic American indie rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington around Ben Gibbard, Death Cab for Cutie marked the 2000s with albums such as Transatlanticism and Plans, blending delicate melodies and introspective writing. For this second Tiny Desk appearance, the band recreates its world almost entirely on acoustic instruments, including a nearly hundred-year-old zither. The session opens with « Pep Talk » and « Stone Over Water », from the album I Built You a Tower, reflections on aging and resilience, before revisiting two classics: « Title and Registration » (Transatlanticism, 2003) and « Soul Meets Body » (Plans, 2005). This intimately filmed live concert highlights Ben Gibbard’s voice and the finesse of the arrangements. An ideal capture for fans of indie rock and acoustic sessions, in the warm, unadorned spirit of Tiny Desk. Filmed live session, indie rock in a stripped-back version.
Setlist
- Pep Talk
- Stone Over Water
- Title and Registration
- Soul Meets Body
Personnel & credits
- Ben Gibbard — vocals, guitar
- Dave Depper — guitar, backing vocals
- Zac Rae — piano, zither
- Nick Harmer — bass
- Jason McGerr — drums
- Maia Stern — director, editor
- Josh Newell — audio director, mix
- Valentina Rodríguez Sánchez — sound engineer
- Robin Hilton — producer
