Drive Well, Sleep Carefully

On the Road with Death Cab for Cutie

Plexifilm is proud to announce the DVD release of DRIVE WELL, SLEEP CAREFULLY: ON THE ROAD WITH DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE which will had its world premiere at this year's Seattle International Film Festival on June 10th. An exclusive look at the Seattle quartet during their 2004 U.S. tour, DRIVE WELL, SLEEP CAREFULLY features 13 live performances of songs spanning the band's career as well as alternate versions and unreleased music. Directed by Justin Mitchell, whose previous credits include SONGS FOR CASSAVETES and DIRTY OLD TOWN, a profile of singer/songwriter Ted Leo, this "road doc" was shot entirely on 16mm film.

DRIVE WELL, SLEEP CAREFULLY shows the band at the tail-end of a grueling tour, playing their remarkable pop to ecstatic live audiences. Mitchell joined the band on the road filming dozens of live performances and interviewing them in-depth in their hometown of Seattle. The stunning live footage is mixed with candid conversations about the demands of life on the road, their dedication and love for their work, and the ever-present challenge of balancing creative freedom with commercial success.

Since forming in 1997, Death Cab for Cutie has released 4 full-length albums and numerous EPs and singles on Barsuk Records. The band recently signed to Atlantic Records and their new album, PLANS, is out now.

The DVD of DRIVE WELL, SLEEP CAREFULLY features over 40 minutes of additional live performances, rehearsals, outtakes, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.



Live Performances in the film:

"The Sound of Settling" - The Crystal Ballroom, Portland
"The New Year" - The Showbox, Seattle
"We Laugh Indoors" - The Marquee Theatre, Tempe
"Styrofoam Plates" - Trees, Dallas
"Title and Registration" - Howlin' Wolf, New Orleans
"Company Calls" - WorkPlay Theater, Birmingham
"Tiny Vessels" - Stubb's, Austin
"Transatlanticism" - Trees, Dallas
"Expo '86" - The Crystal Ballroom, Portland
"We Looked Like Giants" - The Fillmore, San Francisco
"Why You'd Want to Live Here" - The Wiltern, Los Angeles
"Prove My Hypotheses" - The Showbox, Seattle
"Bend To Squares" - The Showbox, Seattle

Justin Mitchell is an LA-based filmmaker and cinematographer. SONGS FOR CASSAVETES, his debut feature documentary, was shown at the London Film Festival where the festival notes proclaimed, "[It] is that all too rare thing: a documentary feature in which form and content are perfectly attuned... A little gem, small but perfectly formed." Born in Hollywood, CA, Mitchell grew up in the Valley and moved to New York City in September of 2001, where he made his second film, DIRTY OLD TOWN. He then relocated back to the west coast and his move coincided with Death Cab for Cutie's tour, so naturally he followed them across the country, his trusty Bolex in tow.

This film is presented in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, preserving the ratio of its original exhibition.

"Deep, thoughtful and brilliant, Death Cab for Cutie are the best independent band in the country" - NPR

"Simple, sometimes startling eloquence." - THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

"The heartstring-tugging formula...has earned the Washington state quartet its cultish following: melodic, melancholy songs about feeling both smart and confused, hopelessly romantic but wary of love." - ROLLING STONE

DRIVE WELL, SLEEP CAREFULLY: ON THE ROAD WITH DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE
A Plexifilm Release of a Plexi Production
A Film by Justin Mitchell
Death Cab for Cutie is: Ben Gibbard, Nick Harmer, Chris Walla, Jason McGerr
Directed by Justin Mitchell
Produced by Gary Hustwit, Justin Mitchell
Music Mixed by John Goodmanson
Sound Mixed by Adam Wade
Live Sound Recorded by John Byrd, Chris Walla, Jack Hutson
Location Sound Recorded by Jack Hutson
Photography by Jesse Burden, Justin Mitchell