Interview: Death Cab For Cutie Rounds Another Corner

Bass player Nick Harmer of Death Dab for Cutie chats about his band's latest album, Codes and Keys.

Alt-rock darlings Death Cab for Cutie have always been sort of a paradox: an indie act beloved by the masses. This spring Canadian audiences are getting their first taste of the popular band’s latest record, Codes and Keys, an album that tweaks the winning Death Cab formula.

I recently got the chance to interview bassist Nick Harmer by phone as his band kicked off its current North American tour – and he’s optimistic that Codes and Keys, although more layered and complex than albums past, will still be well-received by fans.

“I hope [fans] embrace it!” he says. “I hope they embrace the fact that we, as a band, are drawn to evolving and changing… basically just expressing ourselves as we grow older… and that will be reflected in our music.”

“[We have to] decide that we’re going to make music that motivates us, that’s inspiring to us. We’re going to express ourselves in a way that’s true to who we are as people right now in the lives that we’re living.”

Such is the mentality behind all of Death Cab for Cutie’s music – introspective and truthful. The band came to fame with the 2003 independent release, Transatlanticism, and signed on with major music label Atlantic Records the following year.

But even after signing, Harmer makes it clear: Death Cab has always striven for complete control over the music they create. Guitarist Chris Walla has produced each of the band’s albums – just one way that Death Cab for Cutie sets itself apart in the industry.

“We’re pretty self-sufficient that way. So we feel like our creativity and how it manifests itself is always in our control and kind of protected by us.”

At a time when most artists market only iTunes-friendly hit singles, Death Cab for Cutie still makes albums that are best heard as a whole entity. Codes and Keys isn’t the type of record that can be summed up in tidy, 30-second preview clips. Nonetheless, Harmer explains that the band is grateful for all their listeners, whether they play Death Cab on a turntable or an mp3.

“We don’t take a minute of it for granted and we’re very thankful for the amount of support that we’ve received over the years and the amount of support that we continue to receive! We’re very thankful for everything."

"You know, I just think as long as people appreciate music and they appreciate the creative process, and it enriches their lives in a way, then you know, I feel like that’s about the best I can hope for.”

While Codes and Keys was released May 31st, Harmer and the rest of Death Cab for Cutie will have to wait and see how live audiences react to their remaining shows in North America and in Europe. One thing is obvious: wherever the band goes from here musically, the route will be their own choosing.