Elliott Smith Biography
Folk-punk<strong> strong><<strong>strong>singer/songwriterstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>Elliottstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>Smithstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>rosestrong>strong>strong>strong> from<strong> strong><<strong>strong>indiestrong>strong>strong>strong> obscurity<strong> strong><<strong>strong>tostrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>mainstreamstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>successstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>instrong>strong>strong>strong> 1997<strong> onstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>strengthstrong>strong>strong>strong> of<strong> strong>"<<strong>strong>Missstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>Miserystrong>strong>strong>strong>", his<strong> strong><<strong>strong>Academystrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>Award-nominatedstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>songstrong>strong>strong>strong> from<strong> strong><<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> film<strong> Goodstrong><strong> Willstrong><strong> Huntingstrong>. <<strong>strong>Astrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>nativestrong>strong>strong>strong> of<strong> Portlandstrong>, OR, <<strong>strong>Smithstrong>strong>strong>strong> began<strong> writingstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>andstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>recordingstrong>strong>strong>strong> his<strong> firststrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>songsstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>atstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>agestrong>strong>strong>strong> 14, <<strong>strong>strong><<strong>strong>laterstrong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong> becoming<strong> strong><<strong>strong>astrong>strong>strong>strong> fixture<strong> ofstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> city'<<strong>strong>sstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>thrivingstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>musicstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>scenestrong>strong>strong>strong>; <<strong>strong>asstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>astrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>memberstrong>strong>strong>strong> of<strong> strong><<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> band<strong> Heatmiserstrong>, he<strong> debutedstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>instrong>strong>strong>strong> 1993<strong> withstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>LPstrong>strong>strong>strong> Dead<strong> strong><<strong>strong>Airstrong>strong>strong>strong>, <<strong>strong>issuingstrong>strong>strong>strong> his<strong> firststrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>solostrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>effortstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>Romanstrong>strong>strong>strong> Candle<strong> onstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>tinystrong>strong>strong>strong> Cavity<strong> strong><<strong>strong>Searchstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>strong><<strong>strong>labelstrong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>astrong>strong>strong>strong> year<strong> strong><<strong>strong>strong><<strong>strong>laterstrong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>. For<strong> hisstrong><strong> 1995strong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>self-titledstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>albumstrong>strong>strong>strong>, <<strong>strong>Smithstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>signedstrong>strong>strong>strong> with<strong> strong><<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>notedstrong>strong>strong>strong> Kill<strong> strong><<strong>strong>Rockstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>Starsstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>strong><<strong>strong>labelstrong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>; <<strong>strong>Either/Orstrong>strong>strong>strong> followed<strong> strong><<strong>strong>instrong>strong>strong>strong> 1997, <<strong>strong>aroundstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>samestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>timestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>thatstrong>strong>strong>strong> filmmaker<strong> 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<<strong>strong>songsstrong>strong>strong>strong> for<strong> strong><<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>soundtrackstrong>strong>strong>strong>, <<strong>strong>amongstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>themstrong>strong>strong>strong> "<<strong>strong>Missstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>Miserystrong>strong>strong>strong>", <<strong>strong>andstrong>strong>strong>strong> when<strong> strong><<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>Academystrong>strong>strong>strong> of<strong> strong><<strong>strong>Motionstrong>strong>strong>strong> Picture<strong> strong><<strong>strong>Artsstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>andstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>Sciencesstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>announcedstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>itsstrong>strong>strong>strong> Oscar<strong> strong><<strong>strong>nominationsstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> following<strong> Februarystrong>, <<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>trackstrong>strong>strong>strong> was<strong> strong><<strong>strong>astrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>surprisestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>entrystrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>instrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> Best<strong> Originalstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>Songstrong>strong>strong>strong> category. <<strong>strong>Althoughstrong>strong>strong>strong> he<strong> didstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>notstrong>strong>strong>strong> win, <<strong>strong>Smithstrong>strong>strong>strong> performed<strong> strong><<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>songstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>livestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>atstrong>strong>strong>strong> 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<<strong>strong>momentsstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>instrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>recentstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>memorystrong>strong>strong>strong>. <<strong>strong>Smith'sstrong>strong>strong>strong> DreamWorks<strong> strong><<strong>strong>strong><<strong>strong>labelstrong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong> debut, XO, followed<strong> strong><<strong>strong>strong><<strong>strong>laterstrong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>instrong>strong>strong>strong> 1998. <<strong>strong>Twostrong>strong>strong>strong> years<strong> strong><<strong>strong>strong><<strong>strong>laterstrong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong> he<strong> deliveredstrong><strong> Figurestrong><strong> 8strong>, which<strong> strong><<strong>strong>indulgedstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>instrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>lushstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>arrangementsstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>andstrong>strong>strong>strong> orchestrations<strong> strong><<strong>strong>morestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>sostrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>thanstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>anystrong>strong>strong>strong> of<strong> hisstrong><strong> previousstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>solostrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>effortsstrong>strong>strong>strong>. For<strong> strong><<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>nextstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>twostrong>strong>strong>strong> years, <<strong>strong>Smithstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>strong><<strong>strong>laboredstrong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong> over<strong> whatstrong><strong> wasstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>tostrong>strong>strong>strong> be<strong> hisstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>nextstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>albumstrong>strong>strong>strong>, From<strong> strong><<strong>strong>astrong>strong>strong>strong> Basement<strong> onstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>astrong>strong>strong>strong> Hill. He<strong> wouldstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>notstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>livestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>tostrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>seestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>itsstrong>strong>strong>strong> completion, however<strong> -strong> <<strong>strong>tostrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>shockstrong>strong>strong>strong> of<strong> friendsstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>andstrong>strong>strong>strong> fans<strong> strong><<strong>strong>alikestrong>strong>strong>strong>, <<strong>strong>Smith'sstrong>strong>strong>strong> body<strong> wasstrong><strong> foundstrong><strong> onstrong><strong> Octoberstrong><strong> 21strong>, <strong>2003strong>. <<strong>strong>Tostrong>strong>strong>strong> date, <<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> coroner<strong> hasstrong><strong> beenstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>unablestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>tostrong>strong>strong>strong> determine<strong> strong><<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> cause<strong> ofstrong><strong> deathstrong>, <<strong>strong>andstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>Losstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<<strong>strong>strong>strong><<strong>strong>Angelesstrong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong> Police<strong> Department'strong><<strong>strong>sstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>investigationstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>remainsstrong>strong>strong>strong> open. From<strong> strong><<strong>strong>astrong>strong>strong>strong> Basement<strong> onstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>astrong>strong>strong>strong> Hill<strong> wasstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>releasedstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>twostrong>strong>strong>strong> days<strong> strong><<strong>strong>shystrong>strong>strong>strong> of<strong> strong><<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> first<strong> strong><<strong>strong>anniversarystrong>strong>strong>strong> of<strong> hisstrong><strong> deathstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>tostrong>strong>strong>strong> critical<strong> strong><<strong>strong>acclaimstrong>strong>strong>strong>. <<strong>strong>Instrong>strong>strong>strong> <strong>2007strong>, Kill<strong> strong><<strong>strong>Rockstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>Starsstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>issuedstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>astrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>two-discstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>setstrong>strong>strong>strong> of<strong> strong><<strong>strong>somestrong>strong>strong>strong> of<strong> strong><<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>strong><<strong>strong>latestrong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>singer'sstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>unreleasedstrong>strong>strong>strong> work, <<strong>strong>allstrong>strong>strong>strong> of<strong> whichstrong><strong> hadstrong><strong> beenstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>recordedstrong>strong>strong>strong> between<strong> 1994strong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>andstrong>strong>strong>strong> 1997. <<strong>strong>Entitledstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>Newstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>Moonstrong>strong>strong>strong>, <<strong>strong>thestrong>strong>strong>strong> <strong>24-strong><<strong>strong>trackstrong>strong>strong>strong> collection<strong> containedstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>threestrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>songsstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>thatstrong>strong>strong>strong> had<strong> beenstrong><strong> previouslystrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>releasedstrong>strong>strong>strong> on<strong> hard-strong><<strong>strong>to-findstrong>strong>strong>strong> compilations<strong> orstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>soundtracksstrong>strong>strong>strong>, <<strong>strong>anstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>earlystrong>strong>strong>strong> version<strong> ofstrong><strong> strong>"<<strong>strong>Missstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>Miserystrong>strong>strong>strong>", <<strong>strong>andstrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>astrong>strong>strong>strong> <<strong>strong>livestrong>strong>strong>strong> favorite<strong> ofstrong><strong> hisstrong>, <<strong>strong>astrong>strong>strong>strong> cover<strong> ofstrong><strong> Bigstrong><strong> strong><<strong>strong>Star'sstrong>strong>strong>strong> "<<<strong>strong>strong>Thirteenstrong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>strong>".Biography by allmusic.com
