Elliott Smith Biography

Elliott Smith, Musician
Born asSteven Paul Smith
Occup.Musician
FromUSA
BornAugust 6, 1969
Omaha, Nebraska, USA
DiedOctober 21, 2003
Los Angeles, California, USA
CauseSuspected suicide by stabbing
Aged34 years
Elliott Smith, born Steven Paul Smith on August 6, 1969, in Omaha, Nebraska, was an American singer-songwriter and also multi-instrumentalist recognized for his emotive and introspective songwriting. He got important honors from critics and fans alike for his raw, evocative verses and also haunting melodies.

Smith's early life was marked by family turmoils. His parents separated when he was just 6 months old, and also he moved between living with his mommy as well as stepfather in Texas and his papa in Portland, Oregon. The turbulence in his family life later on ended up being a main theme in most of his tracks.

He started playing songs at a young age, discovering the piano, clarinet, and guitar. He first came to be involved in the Portland songs scene while participating in Lincoln High School, developing the band Stranger Than Fiction. Smith later attended Hampshire College in Massachusetts, where he continued his musical quests, establishing the band Heatmiser with fellow students Neil Gust, Tony Lash, and Brandt Peterson.

Heatmiser achieved some success, launching three cds and also an EP between 1993 as well as 1996. Nevertheless, Smith wished to pursue a more intimate, stripped-down audio, as well as released his solo job in 1994 with the release of the cd "Roman Candle." His following album, "Elliott Smith," rapidly caught the focus of independent and mainstream record tags alike, with its blend of individual, rock, and also pop sensibilities.

In 1997, Smith contributed several tunes to the soundtrack of the film "Good Will Hunting," directed by Gus Van Sant. The track "Miss Misery" was chosen for an Academy Award, thrusting Smith right into the national spotlight. He ultimately authorized with significant tag DreamWorks Records, launching 2 even more albums: "XO" (1998) and "Figure 8" (2000).

Regardless of his growing recognition as well as success, Smith fought with substance abuse concerns and depression throughout much of his life. His final album, "From a Basement on capital," was taped during these troubled times, recording the frailty and also susceptability that penetrated his songs.

Tragically, on October 21, 2003, Elliott Smith was located dead in his Los Angeles home at the age of 34. His death was officially ruled as self-destruction, due to two stab wounds in his breast. His posthumous album, "From a Basement on the Hill," was launched in 2004, supplying fans with a glimpse of the innovative brilliant that was shed.

Elliott Smith's unfortunate life story is certainly linked with the elegance and also moody of his songs. His heartfelt verses touched on themes of love, yearning, and also misery, painting vibrant images of his inner battles. His tradition continues to resonate with followers and musicians alike, establishing him as one of one of the most significant singer-songwriters of his generation.

Our collection contains 29 quotes who is written / told by Elliott.

Related authors: Gus Van Sant (Director), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)

Source / external links:

29 Famous quotes by Elliott Smith

Small: And Im not trying to write heavy songs
"And I'm not trying to write heavy songs"
Small: Well, I try not to think about the general public since I have no idea what the general public is and I
"Well, I try not to think about the general public since I have no idea what the general public is and I don't think anybody does"
Small: But I was also doing odd jobs around Portland, like spreading gravel and transplanting bamboo trees
"But I was also doing odd jobs around Portland, like spreading gravel and transplanting bamboo trees"
Small: I watched myself put my paw in the bear trap on that one because there was this clause about leaving me
"I watched myself put my paw in the bear trap on that one because there was this clause about leaving members"
Small: I was coming off of a lot of psyche meds and other things
"I was coming off of a lot of psyche meds and other things"
Small: I rode on a float in one of the parades in Mississippi. Its an experience
"I rode on a float in one of the parades in Mississippi. It's an experience"
Small: I just wanted to move out of Portland to do something
"I just wanted to move out of Portland to do something"
Small: I didnt have a hard time making it, I had a hard time letting it go
"I didn't have a hard time making it, I had a hard time letting it go"
Small: Theres always that argument to make - that youre in better company historically if people dont understa
"There's always that argument to make - that you're in better company historically if people don't understand what you're doing"
Small: My girlfriend at the time convinced me to send these songs to Cavity Search. When they wanted to put ou
"My girlfriend at the time convinced me to send these songs to Cavity Search. When they wanted to put out my record I was totally shocked"
Small: I like home recordings and studio recordings just as much as each other - I dont think one is better -
"I like home recordings and studio recordings just as much as each other - I don't think one is better - but for this record I wanted to see what I could do in a real studio with real producers"
Small: There are lots of things I like about playing in a band, the things I cant do by myself you know
"There are lots of things I like about playing in a band, the things I can't do by myself you know"
Small: I was trying to do the same thing that I always do which is make an interesting record
"I was trying to do the same thing that I always do which is make an interesting record"
Small: I dont think that Dreamworks would have signed me expecting to really mess around with whatever it is I
"I don't think that Dreamworks would have signed me expecting to really mess around with whatever it is I do"
Small: I didnt know how many people knew who Ferdinand was
"I didn't know how many people knew who Ferdinand was"
Small: Because God only knows why people like what they like and dont like something else
"Because God only knows why people like what they like and don't like something else"
Small: I wondered if I would talk about drug use. But I guess, why hide it?
"I wondered if I would talk about drug use. But I guess, why hide it?"
Small: I didnt think I was gonna be playing on the Oscars or anything
"I didn't think I was gonna be playing on the Oscars or anything"
Small: Its just that a lot of songs that are popular right now, they dont have any meaning
"It's just that a lot of songs that are popular right now, they don't have any meaning"
Small: It was kind of ridiculous to carry it up to a certain point and then drop the ball or the bomb, like qu
"It was kind of ridiculous to carry it up to a certain point and then drop the ball or the bomb, like quitting the band right after we had signed to Virgin"
Small: If you play acoustic guitar youre the depressed, sensitive guy
"If you play acoustic guitar you're the depressed, sensitive guy"
Small: Im just writing songs about how I feel or about how people I know feel
"I'm just writing songs about how I feel or about how people I know feel"
Small: Its a lot easier to tell the truth usually
"It's a lot easier to tell the truth usually"
Small: I mean people just have a way of - yknow theyll review your record in two sentences and put you in this
"I mean people just have a way of - y'know they'll review your record in two sentences and put you in this little stupid box that you don't want to be in"
Small: The bands filter, but playing live is a lot of fun
"The band's filter, but playing live is a lot of fun"
Small: It touches on drug use. I got caught up in that for almost two years
"It touches on drug use. I got caught up in that for almost two years"
Small: I dont really like New York better than Portland. Its just a different place
"I don't really like New York better than Portland. It's just a different place"
Small: I cant think of anything off the top of my head that seems more important than something designed to ra
"I can't think of anything off the top of my head that seems more important than something designed to raise money to keep something going that keeps IV drug users from dying"
Small: I actually dont think that Im gonna sell a lot of records
"I actually don't think that I'm gonna sell a lot of records"