
Elliott Smith
Sound
Biography
Steven Paul "Elliott" Smith (August 6, 1969 – October 21, 2003) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and lived for much of his life in Portland, Oregon, where he first gained popularity. Smith's primary instrument was the guitar, though he was also proficient with piano, clarinet, bass guitar, drums, and harmonica. Smith had a distinctive vocal style, characterized by his "whispery, spiderweb-thin delivery", and used multi-tracking to create vocal layers, textures, and harmonies. Smith died on October 21, 2003 at the age of 34 from two stab wounds to the chest. A possible suicide note, written on a Post-it note, read: "I'm so sorry—love, Elliott. God forgive me."
Known For

A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The show's comedy sketches, which parody contemporary culture and politics, are performed by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer cast members. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest, who usually delivers an opening monologue and performs in sketches with the cast, and features performances by a musical guest.
Saturday Night Live

An annual American awards ceremony honoring cinematic achievements in the film industry. The various category winners are awarded a copy of a statuette, officially the Academy Award of Merit, that is better known by its nickname Oscar.
The Oscars

Will Hunting is a headstrong, working-class genius who is failing the lessons of life. After one too many run-ins with the law, Will's last chance is a psychology professor, who might be the only man who can reach him.
Good Will Hunting

Justin Cobb, a teenager in suburban Oregon, copes with his thumb-sucking problem, romance, and his diagnosis with ADHD and subsequent experience using Ritalin.
Thumbsucker

Chance, a hapless Los Angeles musician is searching for the coveted Moletron synthesizer through the classified ad paper the "Southlander", and meeting interesting characters along the way.
Southlander: Diary of a Desperate Musician

This documentary follows six paperboys from Stillwater, Minnesota, showcasing interviews and scenes of them biking through their daily delivery routes. It highlights the shift in American culture, where adults are now taking on a job once dominated by young teens.
Paperboys

Heaven Adores You is an intimate, meditative inquiry into the life and music of Elliott Smith. By threading the music of Elliott Smith through the dense, yet often isolating landscapes of the three major cities he lived in -- Portland, New York City, Los Angeles -- Heaven Adores You presents a visual journey and an earnest review of the singer's prolific songwriting and the impact it continues to have on fans, friends, and fellow musicians.
Heaven Adores You

Documentary about the indie rock band Modest Mouse made around 1997, as they were recording their second album, The Lonseome Crowded West
Untitled Modest Mouse Documentary

A homage to the late American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith, Elliott’s Suicide is a sentimental 15 minute tribute, lacking Anger’s usual irony for obvious reasons. The film begins with shots of friends’ and fans’ last words written on Smith’s memorial on Sunset Boulevard, then to footage of a Macy’s parade, focusing closely on the oddly outfitted participants, some in renaissance attire, cowboys with lassos, and beauty queens. The film is scored with Smith’s music, resulting in a melancholy effect, especially in the segment that follows Smith through the woods and films him as he digs up a guitar, then plays a song. This footage is repeated in the end of the film, but in a negative reversal print, suggesting pretty damn clearly that the subject matter has moved beyond the veil.
Elliott's Suicide

Strange Parallel is a documentary/short film revolving around the American singer/songwriter Elliott Smith. The film features interviews with Elliott himself as well as fans, friends and other acquaintances of his (including Gus Van Sant, Larry Crane, and the members of Quasi). The film also includes snippets of Elliott Smith performing as well as footage of him recording an unreleased song, "Brand New Game". The film sometimes moves out of reality, with acted-out, metaphorical sequences that involve Elliott considering purchasing a mechanical hand (a "robot hand" ) to improve his music.
Strange Parallel
The concept of the show is that Brion will play accompaniment to his guest, sometimes inviting other performers on stage to assist. Like the regular Friday night shows that Brion performed at the club Largo in Los Angeles at the time, the performance is largely improvised. Those Largo performances, displaying the depth of Brion’s pop knowledge and musicianship, were huge successes. And in this instance, with Smith, the result is one amazing musical moment after another.
The Jon Brion Show

Billy Ruane, storied impresario of the 90s Boston indie music scene. Billy promoted shows and inspired cult-like followings of bands by the likes of The Lemonheads, Dinosaur Jr., Pixies, Superchunk, Buffalo Tom, Elliott Smith, Pavement, and Sonic Youth. His gracious treatment of artists set new standards in music. But underneath Billy’s exuberant cartoon-like demeanor and Harvard education, was the pain of a man with deep trauma, who struggled with bipolar disorder and substance abuse, and was confounded by the weight of an endless supply of money.
The Road to Ruane

Elliott Smith's final concert at Redfest, at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on September 19, 2003. Just a month later, on October 21, 2003, Smith passed away. Smith's final concert was described by some as upbeat and even happy. One attendee noted he seemed comfortable, happy, sober, well-rested, and smiley.
Elliott Smith live at Redfest

Described as "a cross between a video and a documentary, but actually being neither of the two", singer/songwriter Elliott Smith plays three acoustic songs in this Jem Cohen-directed short film.
Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith Portrait
On June 20, 2005, in conversation with a LMA curator, Dr. Smith gave his go-ahead for Elliot's shows to be hosted at the Archive. More notes: Quotes from sweet adeline faq: what did elliott think about places where i download music (like napster)? "i like the idea...sure, people should be able to trade musically with each other, i mean people do anyway...there's arguments to be made...but i don't really have an opinion...i'm not one of those bands that sells millions of records and then gets mad at napster"
Elliott Smith Live at the Steamboat

Live performance from Elliott Smith 1. Son Of Sam 2. Angeles 3. Rose Parade 4. Happiness 5. Easy Way Out 6. Southern Belle 7. Wouldn't Mama Be Proud 8. Division Day 9. The White Lady Loves You More 10. Stupidity Tries 11. See You Later 12. Independence Day
Elliott Smith - Olympia, Washington

The unauthorized biography of the Patron Saint of Indie Rock.
Searching for Elliott Smith

Filmed on the 2nd of September, 2000, Live at Bumbershoot Festival is one of Elliott Smith's most notable live performances to date.
Elliott Smith: Live at Bumbershoot Festival 2000

1.Son of Sam 2.Angeles 3.Rose Parade 4.Happiness 5.Taking the Easy Way Out 6.Southern Belle 7.Wouldn't Mama Be Proud? 8.Division Day 9.The White Lady Loves You More 10.Stupidity Tries 11.See You Later 12.Independence Day
Elliott Smith: Live at the Yo Yo a Go Go Festival

LIVE 7/28/2000 Fuji Rock @ Naeba Ski Resort, Niigata, Japan