All posts in: Death Cab For Cutie

16 Jan 2021

This Weekend:

What We’re Watching: Bling Empire (Netflix)

At some point, we’re going to have to address how we feel about Asians being portrayed in shows like this. We tolerated House of Ho, but one episode into Bling Empire and I’m already finding it’s a lot less cringe-y. Actually, it is more comparable to Selling Sunset, which people (myself included) seemed to love on Netflix. In the first episode of Bling Empire, we get to know the players and the competitive drama between Anna and Christine. It’s wildly childish, but it’s not my life so I find it highly entertaining!

What We’re Listening To: Death Cab For Cutie – The Georgia EP

Death Cab has always been a constant in my life since I was young so we’ll never miss any kind of release from them. The E.P. itself is short and sweet, but we’ll take what we can get in this pandemic. My favorite tracks so far seem to be “Flirted With You All My Life” and “Metal Heart.” There’s a charming cover of TLC’s “Waterfalls” included that I also think is worth a listen.

What We’re Wearing: Hunter Rain Boots

We were in muddier areas this past week and it was the perfect excuse to slip these on. When I was living in Seattle, this was considered a staple. I haven’t had much use for them in California, but I knew I couldn’t leave them behind. Not only are they perfect for rainy days, which may actually be leaving us as we inch closer to spring, but these will protect you in any smaller streams that you may cross. Those occurrences are rare, but this actually happened this week!

What We’re Eating: Crab Arancini

I was craving pizza earlier this week and have a weakness for Beretta’s Margherita Burrata. It pairs perfectly with their crab arancini that they have as an appetizer so I added this to my order as well. It’s the perfect snack, but I’d happily and easily turn this into a meal. They also serve it with a sauce that reminds me of a sriracha mayo that I honestly need to just have on hand in my kitchen at all times.

03 May 2020

Are We Still Puzzling?

Now that it feels like we’ve made it through the toughest part of quarantine, I’m realizing that hunkering down with a puzzle was not something I did! In my defense though, it’s quite hard to do on your own. Death Cab for Cutie announced a release (re-release?) of their album cover puzzle and it’s definitely one that we would do. In case you’re still in a puzzle mood, order this for yourself now and you’ll receive this fun package in June when it ships!

[Source]

25 Mar 2020

4PM Every Day

I’m not sure when I was made first aware of this, but I’ve always been a routine person. I love the idea of having a schedule that I can follow and getting competitive with my own to-do-list. In these times of uncertainty, creating a new routine for myself was made a priority. Honestly, last week was a wash. I was coming off of travel fatigue and adjusting to shelter-in-place while trying not to panic shop at the grocery store. Now halfway into my second week of working from home, I still don’t quite have it down.

The second day into my work from home last week, one of my favorite artists Ben Gibbard announced that he’d do a Facebook live every day at 4PM and perform songs for an hour. This didn’t exclude weekends! There were no shortcuts. Sometimes he includes The Postal Service! He has stayed true to his word of showing up at 4PM every day and actually, so have I.

In fact, I’m so committed that I have a standing event on my calendar from 4-5PM that I hold myself accountable for and don’t book over. In a working from home situation, it’s so easy to get carried away with things you have to do. Of course, we all know this; there’s always something to do. This 4-5PM time is time for myself. I can choose to work if I want, but I’ll have the stream going on my second laptop so that I can still watch. Or if I decide not to work, I’ll spend just this hour watching in solitude. In an hour, Ben performs about 6-8 songs, does a Q&A with fans, and shares an organization that he wants us all to give back to that day.

I haven’t seen Death Cab for Cutie perform since I was living in Seattle. I’ve got the same excuses as all of you. Sometimes there isn’t the time or the money. For this, we have no excuse. It truly is like watching the real thing, but in a way even better.

If you’re up for joining me tomorrow, feel free to visit this [link] at 4PM. I’ll be here regardless. And if you’re not ready to commit yet, here’s a video from his first stream published on YouTube afterwards.

01 Mar 2019

Out on the Town: 5/18

The last time we wrote an “Out on the Town” post was back in 2016! 2019 is all about bringing back our usual posts apparently. Really though, this post is a throwback to the two things I love in Seattle music. Since I’ve gotten older, going “out on the town” isn’t something I do as often. I’m not even going to be able to attend this event, but it’s so good that I had to share. I’d be doing a disservice to you all if I didn’t.

For one night, Death Cab for Cutie and Odesza will come together for what is sure to be an amazing evening. These two groups are so different, but if you’re from Seattle, you likely are a fan of both just by nature.

From Death Cab for Cutie’s Facebook Page:

Bellingham and WWU is where it all began. We have so many memories of house shows, The Showoff Gallery, The 3B, Red Square and KUGS, all places we met friends and found our community. All places vital to the start of our band. And as we have continued on, it’s been amazing to see and hear so much music continue to flow out of Bellingham too. 

So when we met ODESZA, our bond of being “from Bellingham” was an instant connection. We know the same spots, we hiked the same trails, and we share a similar spirit that our days living there allowed to grow. It was only natural that we thought “let’s play a show together and celebrate our starts.” 

Seattle friends of mine, do what you do best: support local music. You better believe that if I were still at home that I would be here. This is definitely not something to be missed.

02 Jan 2017

Yow Yow! in Big Sur!

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Living in the Bay Area has provided me with so many opportunities to have the quick getaways that I always wanted! In the 3 years that I’ve lived here, I’ve spent time in Napa, Sonoma, Tahoe, Sausalito, Monterey, and Carmel. It’s not like I was in the middle of nowhere when I was living in Seattle, but because I had lived there my whole life, I thought I had all the time in the world to explore places. The problem was that I never did. This is something I’ve taken advantage of more since moving. One of the places that I’ve been itching to get to was Big Sur. I knew it was close and on one of my long weekends from work, I knew it would be perfect for a day trip. I also was set on doing just about anything to see the Bixby Canyon Bridge. Death Cab for Cutie did that to us back in 2008. Sandeep and I set out in the morning and went straight to the beach for our shots. From there, we went to lunch and Glen Oaks, which I totally thought was going to be just a hike in the woods for us, but ended up being a hotel in the woods. Lucky for us, a jaunt around the grounds was about a mile anyways so…it was a mile long hike. Then on our way out – the bridge! We must’ve driven on it back and forth at least four times until we could find parking. We couldn’t leave without it though.

To end the day, Sandeep and I hit up Monterey on the way home for an Italian dinner and then made our way back to South Bay.

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14 Aug 2014

Chris Walla Departs Death Cab For Cutie

It is with such a heavy heart that we report Chris Walla’s departure from Death Cab For Cutie. Technically, this news was released yesterday morning, but I couldn’t even bring myself to write about this until late today. Death Cab For Cutie was the first band that I consider myself having any attachment to growing up. Having followed them from their first album until their latest and having seen them perform three times it is hard for me to grasp what the band will look like without Chris. I remember on my journey to becoming a music booking extraordinaire, I made my end goal being able to book either Minus the Bear or Death Cab For Cutie.

While most people are huge fans of their front man Ben, I’ve always been a fan of Chris. Chris, at one point, even ventured off to create his first solo album which I remember having on repeat during my teenage years. The band has been together for 17 years until now and while I am sad about this news, I know that this is just normal – that it happens to many bands, but I just didn’t want it to happen to my band.

Chris will perform his last show with the band on September 19th in Victoria B.C. for the Rifflandia Festival. His full statement released to The Stranger can be found at the source below. We’ll miss you Chris. Thanks for everything.

[Source]

21 Oct 2013

Transatlanticism 10th Anniversary Edition

It’s hard to believe that Transatlanticism was released 10 years ago. Over the years my favorite song on the album changes with the direction my life is turning. Ben Gibbard gives us the sense of youth and adolescence evolving into adulthood throughout the course of Transatlanticism and I can’t imagine having it any other way.

Fortunately for us, NPR is giving us a first listen to the Transatlanticism demos edition. For a limited time, you can check out how all of the songs on the studio edition began. With alternate lyrics strung about the demos, slower and faster beats, it’s a beautiful gift for any Death Cab For Cutie lover.

On October 29th, you can purchase the original album that’ll be paired with demo versions. To hear the demos now, click here.

03 Sep 2013

Bumbershoot Recap 2013

Before I get into writing this post, I need to extend a huge thank you to the press team over at One Reel. I’ve been attending Bumbershoot for the last 6 years and for the first time ever, One Reel gave me the opportunity to obtain a press pass for Yow Yow! as its own publication. Not only is this a milestone for us, but it means so much to me to be able to partner with a music festival that I have grown up with and that has consistently been the highlight in my summer. Having been a part of the Seattle music industry, I have so much appreciation for every person that is responsible for making this festival happen. No one understands the work that you do, how much you sacrifice, or even the impact that you leave on those attending. Thank you for all that you do – every single one of ya!

photo cred | Lavid Photos

The Flavr Blue

This was my second time seeing The Flavr Blue this summer and as always I am impressed with their set each time. The band took the stage on Saturday morning kicking off the festival at 11:45 AM. Early! But so worth it. And from the looks of it, there was a whole crowd of people that didn’t mind getting their Bumbershoot on that early in the morning. The group stirred up a rowdy crowd of hippie dancers that went absolutely HAM over their music. Who knew, right? Everyone else bobbed along to their tracks and occasionally professed their love for Hollis. The Flavr Blue is a band that I couldn’t be more excited about this year in Seattle. Hollis has truly made a name for herself within the Seattle music community, but is such a humbled individual that continues to pour herself into every single one of her projects. The Flavr Blue is not going anywhere anytime soon and with new music on its way, they are sure to become a household name.

Dave B

Dave B was an artist that our contributor Cameron Deuel covered prior to Bumbershoot and while he wasn’t initially on my lineup schedule, I decided to check him out anyways. On more than one occasion, myself and the friend I was with as well as the group of boys next to us kept wondering about the print on his shirt. Pizza? Sushi? Chicken and Waffles? We settled on that last answer. Dave B was eccentric, in your face, and vivacious. Has anyone ever used those three words together to describe an act? I couldn’t have enjoyed him more! In previous years, I always come prepared to Bumbershoot with my handy dandy schedule making sure to never miss an act I plan on seeing, but on this Saturday – everything was kind of up in the air. It’s nice not to have an agenda sometimes. Dave B was a crowd pumper upper and made such an impression on me that I’m already putting it on my to-do list to look him up on Spotify.

photo cred | Lavid Photos

Nacho Picasso

You’d have to be a fool to miss out on an act named Nacho Picasso. I was so curious by his name that I had to stop by his set. Unfortunately, I quickly found out that it just wasn’t my style. He’s a little bit inaprops than I expected, but what rapper isn’t it these days? Do you Nacho.

Kendrick Lamar 1

photo cred | Morgan Keuler

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick knows how to get the Key Arena LOUD. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard an audience be more excited for an artist in the Key until he came along. Kendrick is an artist that I was very close to working with in the past and it is amazing how quickly he has blown up and all of the collaborations he has gained with Robin Thicke and my favorite Mayer Hawthorne. There is no doubting Kendrick’s success in the hip hop industry and that entire crowd in the Key knows it. I’m expecting a long career from him.

photo cred | Lavid Photos

Beat Connection

I can’t deny it…I’m not trying to hide it – I’ve got a huge crush on Beat Connection. While Kendrick Lamar was throwing down a very intense show, Beat Connection was minutes away from starting their set on the TuneIn stage. I had to choose. And I chose Beat Connection. I’ve seen them a couple of times, but I’ve always got so much Seattle pride for my bands and having listened to their latest album a lot more recently, I was really excited to see what they would be bringing to the table with their set. It was such a feel-good performance – the kind that epitomizes what Bumbershoot stands for and that is getting out of the dark, scary, expensive beer-ridden Key Arena and being out in the sun! Over the last couple of years, Beat Connection has gone through a bit of a sound transition, but also a member transition and through all that – they’ve still managed to survive. As newly college graduates, I’m excited to see how they will continue to pursue their music more aggressively now that they can focus on it more.

The Physics

I have to say that there is really nothing like being able to watch a band that you have previously worked with performing on a stage to hundreds at a major music festival. The Physics are one of the nicest groups that I have ever worked with – so kind, genuine, and so very talented. The Seattle music scene is HOT right now and what I love about Bumbershoot is that the festival is always doing their best to highlight these acts on the rise and supporting our local artists. The Physics combine intricate rhymes with a very soulful edge which I find to be pretty refreshing as there’s not always enough of that in the hip hop industry.

Day 2 –

I commend anyone that can make it through an entire Bumbershoot weekend like our contributing writer Cameron Deuel because lemme tell you – that is a task. For the past couple of years, I have done the whole weekend and I usually end up with a nasty flu afterwards because by the end of it I’m burnt out and exhausted. While Monday’s lineup was packed with talent, I had to make an adult decision for my health and decided to do a full day on Saturday and an evening on Sunday to catch Ra Ra Riot and Death Cab For Cutie.

Ra Ra Riot

Once upon a time, I had an opportunity to work with Ra Ra Riot and I clearly made a huge mistake on not moving forward with that decision because they totally killed it on the main stage at Bumbershoot. Attendees were swaying, singing, dancing AND spinning along to their music and it was a positive kick off to the highly-anticipated set by Death Cab For Cutie. Another thing that I appreciate about Ra Ra Riot is that they are simply “good peeps.” Too often, I’ve seen bands and artists treat their fans not so nicely, but the highlight for me that stood out during their set was when the lead singer jumped down to the floor and gave the entire front row high-fives! YEAH! We love stuff like that. Ra Ra Riot’s albums have continued to get even better as time progresses and while I’ve never spoken directly to the band, I whole-heartedly believe that bands that treat their fans with respect will go very far. Keep doing your thang’ Ra Ra, it’s already starting to pay off.

DCFC 3

photo cred | Morgan Keuler

Readers, I’ve been thinking about this performance all weekend long. The last time I saw Death Cab For Cutie was two years ago for Deck the Hall Ball, but even before that, I had the chance to see Death Cab at Bumbershoot with my best friend. We had worked our way up to the very front so that we could be strategically placed in front of Ben Gibbard and even survived a set by Superchunk to do so. It was brutal – so brutal in fact that I couldn’t stand being continued to get sprayed in the face with a hose that the both of us had to crowd surf our way out of there and watch Death Cab on the turf of Memorial Stadium and not in the pit. All that for nothing! What I’m trying to say with this story is that seeing Death Cab is an experience regardless of where you’re sitting (or standing.) I’m not sure if it’s because we have so much hometown love for the band or what, but there is definitely an air of sentimental value for the band from everyone. That night’s performance was a special one as the band promised to perform through their entire Transatlanticism album, which was AMAZING. And with time to spare, Ben let us know that they were now beginning the “second part of the program” which included the following songs:

“I Will Possess Your Heart”
“Photobooth”
“I am a Tourist”
“Cath”
“Soul Meets Body”
“405”
“A Movie Script Ending”
“Crooked Teeth”

I don’t think I could ever get tired of seeing this band. It’s been ten years since they released Transatlancticism and it’s true – they really haven’t changed. They keep it real and there’s nothing more you could really ask for from a band like that. Also, was anyone else brought to tears by their performance of Transatlanticism? I know it couldn’t just be me and the guy next to me.

28 Aug 2013

Bumbershoot Weekend Preview

This post was written by Cameron Deuel

Hello Yow Yow readers!

Before I get to the acts, I want you to know that I love Bumbershoot. My apartment is lined with posters from past Flatstock events, I feel a type of way when high school students mansplain why it falls second other festivals, and I essentially moved to Queen Anne to ensure a good spot in the entrance line.

I’ve attended consecutively for the past eight years and I’ve made plenty of great decisions in how I’ve spent my time at the festival. I’ve also made terrible mistakes and missed some pretty great performances that still haunt me. To combat this, I’ve spent the last three months compiling The Bumbershoot Project, breaking down each artist performing at this year’s Bumbershoot. After meticulously searching through the lineup, I’ve found several artists that I’m proud to share with you.

With these acts in mind, know that I highly recommend the festival in general. While the machine-gun flow of Kendrick Lamar or the baby unicorn mysticism of seeing the entirety of Transatlanticism performed live are obvious choices for tons of fans, understand that part of the excitement of Bumbershoot is the chance for haphazard discovery. I accidentally saw Patton Oswalt during my first time at the festival, which may be why I still openly worship Labor Day weekend and view the festival as a holy event, complete with Shishkaberry communion.

Here are my picks for your consideration and have an incredible time at the festival!

Saturday

Dave B

Dave B

Saturday August 31, 2013 12:30pm – 1:15pm
Fountain Lawn Stage

You’re not wrong to be skeptical of a rapper simply named, Dave B. I was until I head his MCMXCII tape from last year packed with intelligent bars wrapped in quality production that shows a level of experience beyond his age. Dave B. won EMP’s Sound Off! 2013, a local competition for musicians under 21, which earned him a spot at this year’s Bumbershoot. Although, based on his confident delivery and impressive onstage presence, he would have been a likely candidate either way. Watch here.

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04 Jan 2013

Photo of the Day

Seattle Music Supporting Seattle Seahawks

It doesn’t get any better than this…

“You have the whole city behind you. Go Hawks!” – Mayor McGinn

Thanks to our ’12 Flag’ raisers today (l-r): Tendai ‘Baba’ Maraire (Shabazz Palaces),Macklemore, Jason Finn (The Presidents Of The United States Of America), Nick Harmer (Death Cab for Cutie), Mayor Mike McGinn, Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) and Scott Mercado (Candlebox). And Sir-Mix-A-Lot … we know you tried.

[Source]