One of the most exciting things about watching the release date for one of the year’s most anticipated albums approaching is getting to experience the hype machine heat up. Some PR firms are better than others, but give Atlantic Records some props because it seems like the world has the phrase “Death Cab For Cutie” in its mouth more and more these days.

Sure, looking back on old DCFC material is a warm experience, but there are plenty of new goodies from Mr. Zooey Deschanel & co. to hold fans over until Codes and Keys’ release on May 31^st. There’s a single, an impending live disc, and even a tour, but now the band is giving fans a chance to watch the creation of a music video for “You Are A Tourist” live, as it happens, from the comfort of their living rooms.

So if the rain is still pouring on your lonely studio apartment at 7 p.m. EST, then grab a microwave dinner and tune in below to watch the boys lay the clip to tape in a sunny Los Angeles, Calif. studio. Fans who miss the taping can still catch the band on the aforementioned tour whose dates are listed below the video.

Preorders for Codes and Keys are now ongoing, and tickets for select tour stops are available on SeatGeek.

Death Cab for Cutie 2011 Tour Dates:
05/18 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre ^
05/20 – Chicago, IL @ Metro ^
05/21 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue ^
05/24 – Edmonton, AB @ Shaw Conference Center #^
05/25 – Calgary, AB @ Stampede Corral #^
05/27 – Bend, OR @ Les Schwab Amphitheatre #^
05/28 – George, WA @ Sasquatch! Music Festival (Sold Out)
06/01 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom ^
06/03 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club ^
06/04 – Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero ^
06/05 – Boston, MA @ The Paradise ^
06/07 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre ^
06/09 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore ^
06/26 – Munich, DE @ Muffathalle
06/27 – Berlin, DE @ Astra
06/29 – Hamburg, DE @ The Docks
06/30 – Amsterdam, NL @ Melkweg
07/01 – Kent, UK @ Hop Farm Fest
07/02 – Milton Keynes, UK @ The National Bowl *
07/04 – Manchester, UK @ Academy
07/05 – Nottingham, UK @ Rock City
07/07 – London, UK @ Brixton Academy
08/18 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre
08/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre

^ = w/ The Lonely Forest
# = w/ Bright Eyes
* = w/ Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro, & Tame Impala