Elliott Smith
Born as Steven Paul “Elliott” Smith, this American musician is, unfortunately, not only famous for his beautifully depressing music but for his tragic suicide.
He was born in Omaha, Nebraska but spent most of his childhood in Texas with his mother and stepSons'>Heatmiser with Neil Gust (drummer Tony Lash and bassist Brandt Peterson joined later on).
Heatmiser
The band's genre, today, can be most easily categorized as "
Grunge era. Heatmiser's sound was more lyrics oriented, clearly poetic. The band is also famous for contrasting the cheery and the melancholic, with Gust providing the latter and Smith the former.
'''Studio Albums'''
'''EPs'''
'''Singles'''
Heatmiser released three singles:
* 1993: "Stray"
* 1994: "Sleeping Pill"
* 1996: "Everybody Has It"
Albums and Smith's Career Stages
'''Roman Candle'''
''Roman Candle'' was Smith's first release. It came out in 1994, a time when music was stuck in the
acoustic guitar.
* ''
Roman Candle''
'''Elliott Smith'''
In 1995, Smith released "Elliott Smith" off of Kill Rock Stars records. Smith says that he believes it is this album's dark mood that anchored his reputation - "a really dark, depressed person."
In 1996, Jen Cohen featured Smith playing acoustic for the film "Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith Portrait."
* ''
Elliott Smith''
'''Either/Or'''
In 1997, "Either/Or" also came out of Kill Rock Stars records. In his personal life, Elliott Smith was not only experiencing alcoholism but worsening it with anti-depressants. Leaving his Portland base, Smith moved to Brooklyn in New York.
Back in 1999, Smith was asked to record a few songs for the soundtrack of the movie
''Good Will Hunting''. Smith contributed an instrumental version of "Between the Bars," "No Name #3," "Angeles," and "Say Yes." He also put in a new song called "Miss Misery," which was nominated for best song at the 1998 Academy Awards.
*
Either/Or
'''XO'''
After so much success, Smith signed with DreamWorks Records in 1998. On the personal life front, Smith fell into depression, often including contemplations of suicide. He attempted suicide in North Carolina when he drove himself off a cliff drunk. A tree, though impaling him, saved his life.
The album ''XO'' marks a slight change in Smith's sound. First, ''XO'' shows great influence from Smith's new L.A-community of musicians. At the same time, the lyrics seem sharper with "a little more" of any emotion. A famous track off of the album is "Sweet Adeline."
* ''
XO''
'''Figure 8'''
In 1999, Smith moves from New York to Los Angeles. In 2000, ''Figure 8'' is released. This album is his last completed album before his death. ''From a Basement on the Hill'' was released posthumously in 2004 in addition to other work compilations.
*
''Figure 8 ''
*
''From a Basement on the Hill ''
Death
By 2001, Smith was addicted to heroine, abusing of alcohol and other drugs. He attempted to work with Jon Brion to produce ''From a Basement on the Hill'' but scrapped all their work when Brion confronted him about this drug problems. From 2001soundtrack'>soundtrack.
Hence, with so much hope, his death was somewhat unexpected. Smith died at only 34 years old on October 21, 2003. He and his girlfriend of the time had gotten into a fight. She locked herself in the bathroom only to hear a scream and find him with a knife in his chest. A Postlove, Elliott. God forgive me."
Related Guides
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Indie Music
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Arcade Fire
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Rilo Kiley
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She and Him
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Stars
