Editing Transatlanticism (section)

==Background==
Death Cab for Cutie formed in [[Bellingham, Washington]], in 1997 by singer-songwriter [[Ben Gibbard]], multi-instrumentalist [[Chris Walla]], bassist Nick Harmer, and drummer [[Nathan Good]]. Gibbard had met Walla during their tenure at [[Western Washington University]], and bonded over their taste in music. The quartet made their debut on the limited cassette release ''[[You Can Play These Songs with Chords]]''. The following year, the group relocated to [[Seattle]] to pursue music in earnest. Their proper debut album, ''[[Something About Airplanes]]'', was released on Seattle independent label [[Barsuk Records]]. They continued to build a following through relentless touring, and issued their second album, ''[[We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes]]'', in 2000. The group shifted their percussionists numerous times: Good was replaced by Jayson Tolzdorf-Larson, and then by [[Michael Schorr]], with whom the band recorded their third LP, ''[[The Photo Album]]'', released in 2001.<ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web |last=Ankeny |first=Jason |title=Death Cab for Cutie |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p365455|pure_url=yes}}|website=Allmusic|year=2005|access-date=August 20, 2019}}</ref>

''The Photo Album''{{'s}} creation was rushed for financial reasons. Each band member had recently left their [[day job]]s, with the band now their primary source of income for the first time. They had also set a tour for later in the year, which led to a rushed, difficult recording process.<ref name="ryr"/> Upon its release, ''The Photo Album'' represented the group's biggest success yet. It sold over 50,000 records at that time, which was unprecedented for an indie band. Despite this, relations between the band grew strained. The group had issues with Schorr, and Walla—who enjoyed recording music more than performing it—was feeling exhausted by the entire experience.<ref name="AV"/> It culminated in a tense fight at a tour stop in [[Baltimore]] in October 2001 where the band nearly broke up.<ref name="ryr"/> After their touring commitments were complete, the band took a hiatus.<ref name="htmi"/>

Gibbard moved to the [[Silver Lake, Los Angeles|Silver Lake]] neighborhood of [[Los Angeles]], and began collaborating with [[electronic music]] artist [[Dntel]] (Jimmy Tamborello). The duo completed an album together, titled ''[[Give Up]]'', which was issued on [[Sub Pop Records]] in February 2003. It became a bigger success than either had imagined, selling over 500,000 copies within its first two years of release, and over one million within the decade.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=the+postal+service | title=Gold & Platinum – RIAA | publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] | access-date=August 20, 2019}}</ref> Walla, meanwhile, continued to explore his interest in recording, producing albums by [[the Thermals]] and [[the Decemberists]]. By the time the band regrouped to work on their next album, tensions had cooled. Schorr had departed the band and was replaced by drummer [[Jason McGerr]]. His addition assisted in bringing stability to the band, as his calm demeanor helped settle the band's previous dynamic.<ref name="altpress">{{cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/features/death_cab_for_cutie_gutarist_producer_chris_walla_reflects_on_transatlantic/|title=Death Cab For Cutie gutarist/producer Chris Walla reflects on Transatlanticism|work=[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]]|date=November 20, 2013|first= Ryan|last=Wasoba|access-date=August 20, 2019}}</ref>