Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

August 6, 1969 in Omaha, NE

Death

:

October 21, 2003 in Los Angeles, CA

 

Elliott Smith was an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who was born on August 6, 1969, in Omaha, Nebraska. He was raised in Texas and Oregon, where he began playing music at a young age. Smith's parents divorced when he was six years old, and he spent much of his childhood shuttling between his mother's home in Texas and his father's home in Oregon. Smith's interest in music began when he was a child, and he started playing the piano at the age of nine. He later learned to play the guitar and drums, and he began writing his own songs in his teenage years. Smith attended Hampshire College in Massachusetts, where he studied philosophy and political science, but he dropped out after two years to pursue a career in music. Smith's first band was called Heatmiser, which he formed with his friend Neil Gust in Portland, Oregon, in 1991. The band released three albums between 1993 and 1996, and they gained a following in the Pacific Northwest music scene. Smith's songwriting and guitar playing were a major part of Heatmiser's sound, and he began to gain recognition as a talented musician and songwriter. In 1994, Smith released his first solo album, "Roman Candle," which he recorded in his friend's basement on a four-track recorder. The album was a stripped-down acoustic affair, with Smith's voice and guitar front and center. The album received critical acclaim and helped to establish Smith as a solo artist. Smith's next album, "Elliott Smith," was released in 1995 and featured a fuller sound, with drums, bass, and electric guitar added to the mix. The album was also well-received by critics and helped to expand Smith's audience beyond the Pacific Northwest. Smith's breakthrough album came in 1997 with "Either/Or," which was named after a book by Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. The album featured some of Smith's most beloved songs, including "Angeles," "Between the Bars," and "Say Yes." The album was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Smith as one of the most talented and influential songwriters of his generation. Smith's next album, "XO," was released in 1998 and featured a more polished sound, with orchestral arrangements and a full band. The album was produced by Rob Schnapf and Tom Rothrock, who had worked with Beck and Foo Fighters, among others. The album was another critical and commercial success, and it earned Smith a nomination for Best Alternative Music Performance at the 1999 Grammy Awards. Smith's final album, "Figure 8," was released in 2000 and featured a more ambitious sound, with complex arrangements and a wide range of instruments. The album was produced by Jon Brion, who had worked with Fiona Apple and Aimee Mann, among others. The album was another critical and commercial success, and it cemented Smith's reputation as one of the most talented and innovative songwriters of his generation. Tragically, Smith died on October 21, 2003, at the age of 34. He was found in his Los Angeles apartment with two stab wounds to his chest, which were determined to be self-inflicted. Smith had struggled with drug addiction and depression throughout his life, and his death was a shock to his fans and the music world. Despite his short career, Smith's influence on music has been profound. His introspective and confessional songwriting style has inspired countless musicians, and his music continues to resonate with listeners today.

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