death cab for cutie

Death Cab for Cutie Challenges Fans with Puzzles

Seattle indie-rockers Death Cab for Cutie joined up with Ebay-owned barcode scanning app Red Laser and transmedia agency Six to Start to create a series of interactive puzzle games leading up to today’s release of the new album ‘Codes and Keys’.

As fans solved each week’s puzzle, they collectively earned points toward unlocking an unreleased live track. Players who completed the week’s challenge were eligible to win tickets to sold-out shows.

Fans who scored 500 points in the Line of Best Fit and Photobooth games and solve the final puzzle could win a Limited Edition Codes and Keys. (WANT!)

The puzzle games included:

Talking Bird

In Week 1 fans were asked to rebuild a special QR code. When the 12 missing pieces were found on Twitter, they could then be dragged into the right spot it unlocked a box with another QR code that could be scanned entering the fan into a contest for tickets to a show.

Line of Best Fit (pictured at right)

During Week 2 fans were asked to earn as many points as they could by spelling words out of randomly selected tiles in a Scrabble-type challenge. Bonus points could be earned by spelling secret bonus words accessible by scanning the QR Code.

You Are a Tourist

Week 3 was more challenging, requiring users to scan one of nine QR codes which led to clues to a location mentioned in a Death Cab for Cutie song. Once the location had been revealed, fans had to ‘check-in’ from that location to be eligible to win tickets.

Photobooth

The final week was set up as a daily photo scavenger hunt. Each mission required fans to upload a photo based on the day. As photos were uploaded they formed the dark and light squares of a QR code. The finished code would unlock an extra mission for fans to play to earn a special prize of a Limited Edition series of posters.

All the puzzles were very challenging, maybe a bit too challenging. I love the imaginative user of QR codes throughout the challenge. of the four I found the ‘You are a Tourist’ game particularly engaging, connecting Death Cab for Cutie’s lyrics to their real-world locations.

Death Cab for Cutie Broadcasts Live Video for New Single

Last night Death Cab for Cutie premiered the video for ‘You Are a Tourist’ in a very unique, exciting and risky way. The choreographed video was recorded live in one take and featured complex lighting and projections as well as several additional dancers and performers. You can sense the excitement and relief from the band and crew when the camera draws back at the end to reveal the full set. I can only imagine the extensive rehearsals needed to coordinate the movement on the set so that no one walked in front of the camera or bumped into each other.

The video was directed by Tim Nackashi, who has worked with Radiohead, TV on the Radio and masters of the one-take video OK Go. You can view behind-the-scenes photos from the video shoot on Facebook now.

I’d be looking forward to the May 18th tour date here in Toronto, but it sold out before I even knew it was happening. I’ll make due with getting the new album Codes and Keys on May 31.