In 2004, after the O.C.-abetted success of their 2003 album Transatlanticism, Death Cab For Cutie left the small independent record label Barsuk and signed to Atlantic, a major label. They've remained with Atlantic ever since, releasing six albums for the label, most recently 2022's quite strong Asphalt Meadows. With that release, their contract with the label was finally completed. Today, they've announced a summer tour and revealed they're going indie again.
Death Cab have signed with ANTI- Records, the slightly Americana-leaning Epitaph subsidiary that recently put out albums by Waxahatchee, MJ Lenderman, the Beths, Mavis Staples, Neko Case, Lido Pimienta, Madi Diaz, Snocaps, and more. It's one of the biggest and best indie labels around, and it makes a lot of sense for this phase of Death Cab's career.
"We are thrilled to be joining the roster at ANTI- which includes some of our favorite artists, old friends and in many cases, both," Death Cab frontman Ben Gibbard says in a press release. "We also can’t wait to begin this new chapter with the wonderful staff at ANTI- and share with you what we’ve been working on."
As for the summer tour, it'll feature support from Jay Som, Japanese Breakfast, and Nation Of Language depending on the show. Gibbard has something to say about that too: "One of my favorite parts of being in this band is getting to be out on the road with artists that inspire us. Japanese Breakfast, Jay Som and Nation of Language have made some of our favorite albums in recent years and we’re stoked they’ll be joining us this summer."
I imagine there will be an album announcement before the band hits the road. In the meantime, check out the tour dates below, and sign up for early ticket access at the band's site.
TOUR DATES:
05/29 – Denver, CO @ Outside Days *Festival
07/10 – Minneapolis, MN @ Armory *Jay Som
07/11 – Milwaukee, WI @ Miller High Life Theatre *Jay Som
07/12 – Indianapolis, IN @ Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park *Jay Som
07/14 – Cincinnati, OH @ MegaCorp Pavilion *Jay Som
07/15 – Cleveland, OH @ Jacobs Pavilion *Jay Som
07/17 – Philadelphia, PA @ Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts *Japanese Breakfast
07/18 – Canandaigua, NY @ CMAC *Japanese Breakfast
07/19 – Toronto, ON @ RBC Amphitheatre *Japanese Breakfast
07/21 – Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion *Japanese Breakfast
07/22 – Raleigh, NC @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek *Japanese Breakfast
07/24 – St. Louis, MO @ Stifel Theatre #Nation of Language
07/25 – Bentonville, AR @ The Momentary #Nation of Language
07/26 – Council Bluffs, IA @ Harrah’s Stir Cove #Nation of Language
07/29 – Sandy, UT @ Sandy Amphitheater #Nation of Language
07/31 – Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Financial Theatre #Nation of Language
08/02 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Greek Theatre #Nation of Language
08/03 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Greek Theatre #Nation of Language
08/04 – San Diego, CA @ Gallagher Square at Petco Park #Nation of Language
08/06 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
08/07 – Paso Robles, CA @ Vina Robles Amphitheatre
