Drive Well, Sleep Carefully

On the Road with Death Cab for Cutie

DRIVE WELL, SLEEP CAREFULLY shows Death Cab for Cutie in the midst of a grueling tour, playing their remarkable pop to ecstatic live audiences. Filmmaker Justin Mitchell joined the band on the road filming dozens of live performances and interviewing them in-depth in their hometown of Seattle. The 16mm 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.

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.

"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