Elliott Smith was an American singer-songwriter and musician, known for his intimate and often melancholic acoustic music. Born Steven Paul Smith on August 6, 1969, in Omaha, Nebraska, he was raised primarily in Texas before moving to Portland, Oregon, where he first garnered attention as a member of the rock band Heatmiser. However, it was his solo career, launched in the early '90s, that cemented his legacy as one of the most influential artists of his generation. Smith's style combined the rawness of folk music with the sophistication of The Beatles, a blend that was uniquely his own. His use of multi-track recording to create lush, layered soundscapes contrasted with his soft, whispery vocal style.

Smith's extensive discography includes critically acclaimed albums like "Either/Or" (1997) and "XO" (1998). His music gained a wider audience through its inclusion in the soundtrack of Gus Van Sant's film "Good Will Hunting" (1997), for which Smith was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Miss Misery." Despite battling personal demons and struggling with substance abuse, Smith's lyrical depth, and vulnerability continued to resonate with fans and critics alike. His untimely death on October 21, 2003, at the age of 34, was a devastating loss to the music world. Smith's influence endures through posthumous releases and the deep connection that listeners continue to find in his introspective songwriting and emotive performances.

Genres

Alternative Rock

Indie Rock

Melancholia

Singer-songwriter

Related Artists

Iron & Wine

Bright Eyes

Sufjan Stevens

Jeff Buckley

Nick Drake

Cat Power

Bon Iver

Death Cab for Cutie

Modest Mouse

The Shins

Spoon

Pavement

Latest Release

Elliott Smith: Expanded 25th Anniversary Edition

Elliott Smith

Album - 22 Tracks - Released August 28, 2020