Death Cab for Cutie

Death Cab for Cutie (commonly abbreviated to DCFC or Death Cab) is an American rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington, in 1997. The band is composed of Ben Gibbard (vocals, guitar, piano), Nick Harmer (bass), Dave Depper (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), Zac Rae (keyboards, guitar), and Jason McGerr (drums). The band is known for a melodic sound that blends indie rock, indie pop, and alternative rock, characterized by sensitive, introspective songwriting.

Death Cab for Cutie emerged from the Pacific Northwest in the late 1990s, spearheaded by singer-songwriter Gibbard alongside original guitarist and producer Chris Walla. The group refined their sound on early releases including Something About Airplanes (1998), We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes (2000), and The Photo Album (2001). Their 2003 album Transatlanticism marked a commercial and critical breakthrough, and, along with the major-label debut Plans (2005), helped bring indie rock into the mainstream. Subsequent albums such as the chart-topping Narrow Stairs (2008) and Codes and Keys (2011) saw the band further diversify their sound. Walla departed prior to the release of Kintsugi (2015). The band later released Thank You for Today (2018) and Asphalt Meadows (2022). Their eleventh album, I Built You a Tower, was released in 2026.

Over a career spanning more than three decades, Death Cab for Cutie have been described as "one of the definitive indie bands of the 2000s and 2010s". They were one of the major bands associated with the rise of indie rock, with their 2000s-era output producing several platinum-selling albums and charting singles. The band has received numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Award nominations.