Dave Depper

Dave Depper
Depper performing in 2019
Depper performing in 2019
Background information
Genres
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • keyboards
Labels
Member ofDeath Cab for Cutie
Websitedavedepper.com

Dave Depper is an American musician, best known as the guitarist and keyboardist of the indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie, with whom he has recorded three studio albums and two EPs. Depper was an additional live member of the Postal Service during their 2023–2024 reunion tour.

Alongside his work in Death Cab for Cutie and the Postal Service, Depper has been a touring member of Menomena and Fruit Bats and a member of Ray LaMontagne, Corin Tucker, Laura Gibson and Mirah's backing bands.

Music career

Depper began his career playing with various Pacific North West artists, including Menomena, Fruit Bats, Mirah, Corin Tucker, and Laura Gibson. In 2014, Depper joined Ray LaMontagne's touring band; he was later recruited by indie rock pioneers Death Cab for Cutie during their 2015 world tour in support of their eighth album, Kintsugi. Following the departure of member Chris Walla, Depper and Zac Rae joined Death Cab as full-time members, receiving credits on the band's ninth album, Thank You for Today. Depper has recorded two further studio albums with the band, Asphalt Meadows (2022) and I Built You a Tower (2026).

In 2017, Depper released his first solo album, Emotional Freedom Technique, which was well received by critics.

Personal life

Depper grew up in Bend, Oregon and currently lives in Portland. He attended the University of Oregon, where he studied computer and information science, graduating in 2002. He then worked as a software engineer for several years before transitioning to working as a touring musician full-time.

Depper shares a passion for distance running with bandmate Ben Gibbard, often running between 6 and 12 miles before shows. He has a Siamese cat named Doctor Wu, after the Steely Dan song of the same name.

Discography

Solo

with Death Cab for Cutie

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Dave Depper | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Needle Drop Co. | Dave Depper". www.needledrop.co. Archived from the original on February 20, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Dave Depper". Tender Loving Empire. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Thank You for Today, by Death Cab for Cutie". Death Cab for Cutie. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Death Cab's Dave Depper Goes Solo With 'Emotional Freedom Technique': Exclusive Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Dave Depper Is Portland's Keyboard King". Portland Mercury. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Dave Depper: Emotional Freedom Technique". pastemagazine.com. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  8. ↑ Greenwald, David. "Dave Depper Plays From His 'Hyper-Confessional' New Album, 'Emotional Freedom Technique'". www.opb.org. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  9. ↑ "The Duck in Death Cab". January 16, 2020.
  10. ↑ Smith, Jordan (June 25, 2019). "How Running Got Guitarist Dave Depper Into Death Cab for Cutie". Runner's World. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  11. ↑ @davedepper (January 27, 2021). "In which my cat Dr. Wu somehow manages to make not one but two cameo appearances" (Tweet) – via Twitter.