Biography
Multi-instrumentalist Dave Depper has long been recognized for his work as a session player, touring musician, and short-term member across numerous indie and folk projects centered in his native Portland, Oregon, all while pursuing original solo recordings. His extensive credits encompass contributions to artists such as Ray LaMontagne, Robyn Hitchcock, Menomena, and Fruit Bats, culminating in his 2014 addition to Death Cab for Cutie. The musician's first proper solo release, the 2017 album Emotional Freedom Technique, presented introspective synth pop.
Earlier in his career, Depper performed bass with the Brit-pop-leaning ensemble the Village Green, which issued a self-titled EP in 2005 and the album Feeling the Fall in 2006 prior to his departure. Throughout the subsequent half-decade, he accumulated further credits on recordings by Americana singer-songwriters Jeff London and Laura Gibson, handled bass duties for White Hinterland, and served as multi-instrumentalist with Loch Lomond. Jackpot Records issued his initial solo project in 2011, The Ram Project, an interpretive reconstruction of Paul McCartney's 1971 album Ram.
Depper participated briefly with the alternative country-rock outfit Quiet Life on their 2013 release Wild Pack and joined Ray LaMontagne's touring ensemble the following year. Also in 2014, he joined Death Cab for Cutie as multi-instrumentalist, stepping in for founding member Chris Walla. Amid 2015 travels—specifically two days after the Bataclan attacks in Paris—he captured the EP Utrecht Suite, consisting solely of looped solo guitar improvisations. Throughout the mid-2010s he additionally contributed to studio sessions for Crystal Bowersox, Musée Mécanique, Lost Lander, and Søren Juul. Although frequently enlisted for bass, his recorded work extends to guitar and an array of keyboard instruments, among them synthesizers. On Laura Gibson's 2016 album Empire Builder, he supplied several instruments along with extra production and loops.
Depper's debut collection of original solo material appeared via Tender Loving Empire in 2017. Crafted over five years, Emotional Freedom Technique delivered a personal take on synth pop shaped by the solitude of constant touring. The set included a duet with Gibson; apart from limited backing vocals, Depper performed every other part himself.
He next appeared on Death Cab for Cutie's album Thank You for Today, issued in August 2018. The record entered the Billboard Top 200 at number 13 and prompted additional road work. September 2019 brought the band's The Blue EP, followed in late 2020 by The Georgia EP, a benefit collection of covers drawn from Georgia-bred acts including R.E.M., Cat Power, and TLC. Revenue from that EP supported Democratic politician Stacey Abrams' voter-rights group Fair Fight Action. During breaks from the band, Depper issued Europa, a full-length album of guitar instrumentals drawn from the 2015 Death Cab for Cutie tour, which surfaced on Jealous Butcher in early 2021.
Earlier in his career, Depper performed bass with the Brit-pop-leaning ensemble the Village Green, which issued a self-titled EP in 2005 and the album Feeling the Fall in 2006 prior to his departure. Throughout the subsequent half-decade, he accumulated further credits on recordings by Americana singer-songwriters Jeff London and Laura Gibson, handled bass duties for White Hinterland, and served as multi-instrumentalist with Loch Lomond. Jackpot Records issued his initial solo project in 2011, The Ram Project, an interpretive reconstruction of Paul McCartney's 1971 album Ram.
Depper participated briefly with the alternative country-rock outfit Quiet Life on their 2013 release Wild Pack and joined Ray LaMontagne's touring ensemble the following year. Also in 2014, he joined Death Cab for Cutie as multi-instrumentalist, stepping in for founding member Chris Walla. Amid 2015 travels—specifically two days after the Bataclan attacks in Paris—he captured the EP Utrecht Suite, consisting solely of looped solo guitar improvisations. Throughout the mid-2010s he additionally contributed to studio sessions for Crystal Bowersox, Musée Mécanique, Lost Lander, and Søren Juul. Although frequently enlisted for bass, his recorded work extends to guitar and an array of keyboard instruments, among them synthesizers. On Laura Gibson's 2016 album Empire Builder, he supplied several instruments along with extra production and loops.
Depper's debut collection of original solo material appeared via Tender Loving Empire in 2017. Crafted over five years, Emotional Freedom Technique delivered a personal take on synth pop shaped by the solitude of constant touring. The set included a duet with Gibson; apart from limited backing vocals, Depper performed every other part himself.
He next appeared on Death Cab for Cutie's album Thank You for Today, issued in August 2018. The record entered the Billboard Top 200 at number 13 and prompted additional road work. September 2019 brought the band's The Blue EP, followed in late 2020 by The Georgia EP, a benefit collection of covers drawn from Georgia-bred acts including R.E.M., Cat Power, and TLC. Revenue from that EP supported Democratic politician Stacey Abrams' voter-rights group Fair Fight Action. During breaks from the band, Depper issued Europa, a full-length album of guitar instrumentals drawn from the 2015 Death Cab for Cutie tour, which surfaced on Jealous Butcher in early 2021.
Albums
Singles
