Benjamin Gibbard

Benjamin Gibbard debuted live stripped-down acoustic versions of "Proxima B" during the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum virtual concert Space Songs: Through the Distance, and during his weekly livestream performances from his home in Seattle. This is the fully fleshed-out studio version of "Proxima B", paired with b-side "Filler," a revelatory piano-vocal cover that brings Gibbard's trademark melancholy to the straight-edge DC hardcore classic by Minor Threat.

"This one I wrote a while ago and I was going to have it out as a single for my solo tour this spring," explains Gibbard. "It's about a planet that was discovered deep, deep in the cosmos, called Proxima B. The three things you need to know about Proxima B to understand the song are: One, there's a planet called Proxima B that they think has water on it. It's somewhat Earth-like. Secondly, it orbits the star called Centauri. And three, there's been a lot of talk of 'Ooh, maybe we can get there at some point.' So I wrote this song in response to that."

"Promixa B" was mixed by fellow Seattleite Michael Lerner of Telekinesis, who also played drums and sang backing vocals to the track.