The Postal Service & Death Cab for Cutie
Celebrating 20(+1) Years of
Give Up and Transatlanticism
Petersen Events Center
Pittsburgh, PA on May 2, 2024
Official poster for The Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie’s performances in Pittsburgh, PA. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of their milestone albums Give Up and Transatlanticism.
Instead of drawing just one large illustration, I opted to illustrate 30 small postage stamps that collectively spell out each letter of both band’s names. Each stamp is inspired by the band, album, or specific lyrics in some way - with a couple tributes to my beloved city of Pittsburgh included as well. My hope is that fans will appreciate all the easter eggs in the imagery, and I’ve included a thorough description of each stamp below.
Four colors on 100 lb. French Recycled White Cardstock
Super limited foil edition also available printed on white rainbow foil
18" x 24"
Printed in Richmond, VA at Triple Stamp Press
Note: For those who missed out, the band has some extra copies
available on their online store, here.
The : An abstract tribute to the band’s signature sound of bleeps and bloops. When I first heard “Give Up” back in 2003, their sound reminded me of an old school Nintendo.
P : "When you are out there on the road…” from Such Great Heights.
O : "I'll be the phonograph that plays your favorite albums back.” from Brand New Colony.
S : A map linking Seattle and LA — where Ben and Jimmy were both living when they made the record together.
T : "…for mailing letters with the address of the sender.” from Sleeping In.
A : "I was waiting for a cross-town train in the London underground…” from Clark Gable.
L : "I'll be the grapes fermented, bottled and served” from Brand New Colony.
S : “Smeared black ink.” the opening lyrics from The District Sleeps Alone Tonight.
E : Synthesizer — an obvious tribute to The Postal Service’s sound
R : "A stranger with your door key.” from The District Sleeps Alone Tonight.
V : "So I changed my plans; I rented a camera and a van.” from Clark Gable.
I : A night scene of the Washington Monument for The District Sleeps Alone Tonight.
C : A birthday cake in celebration of both records.
E : "I'll be the fire escape that's bolted to the ancient brick” from Brand New Colony.
D : "…the difference between shooting stars and satellites.” from Passenger Seat.
E : "I'm thinking I should take that volume back up off the shelf” from Expo 86.
A : “Most people were overjoyed, they took to their boats.” from Transatlanticism.
T : The iconic yarn-wrapped blackbird from the album cover.
H : A nod to Pittsburgh; the famous Clemente bridge.
C : "…I am the fish who can't reach the core.” from Lightness.
A : "The clanking of crystal.” from The New Year.
B : A pair of thick-rimmed emo glasses like the ones Ben Gibbard wore around the time these records came out.
F : Red yarn, inspired by the album cover
O : and more red yarn.
R : "…crack its weary spine and read to help remind myself.” from Expo 86.
C : A classic cassette tape.
U : "The bride then tripped and broke the vase.” from Death of an Interior Decorator.
T : "…as the rain beat down on the hood” from Title & Registration.
I : The Cathedral of Learning — one of the most iconic towering buildings in Pittsburgh, located across the street from the venue where the show happened.
E : "Lighting firecrackers off on the front lawn.” from The New Year.