What makes someone quit their job as the lead guitarist in a world famous American rock band and move to Norway permanently?

You probably don't know the answer, but I do, and I'll have someone explain it to you.

It's depression mode. I'm John Moe. I'm glad you're here. If you go to death cab for cutie.com, there are 68 upcoming concerts listed, including, as of the release of this podcast episode, tomorrow night in St. Petersburg, Florida.

There are big venues on the list, too,

Madison Square Garden, the Hollywood Bowl, Royal Albert Hall. Chris Walla won't be on stage for those shows.

He'll probably be at his home in Trondheim, Norway, away from the roar of the crowd, away from the

grind of touring, and away from his former

bandmates in a group he co-founded many years ago in Bellingham, Washington. Chris was the guitarist

and produced several of Death Cab's albums. Fans of the band feel the music of Death Cab for

QD very deeply. The complex and emotional arrangements, the sensitive

lyrics. If you Google Death Cab lyrics tattoo, the pictures go on for quite a while. Chris quit the

band in 2014, and since then he's been producing music for other artists and making music of his own.

Chris has two solo albums, Field Manual from 2008, and Tape Loops from 2015.

In this interview, I will talk with him about Impossible Music Teachers,

what it means to be on tour, depression, alcohol, and the Aurora Borealis.

Music Depression, Alcohol, and the Aurora Borealis. Chris Walla, welcome to Depression Mode.

Thanks for having me.

Where are you right now?

Right now, I am at my studio in the town that I now call home, which is Trondheim in Norway.

There's a lot of things I want to talk to you about.

You're an interesting person.

I like you.

...