We’re going to celebrate his life with some great artists, including former podcast guest Max Bloom from Yuck and lots of other very talented musicians.” Organiser Robert Comba says the idea “was a natural opportunity to celebrate life and legacy here in London. While the widely adored singer-songwriter has touched countless lives with his compelling musicianship and lyricism, the tragic circumstances of his death have left a sense of melancholy and mystery behind the musician.Ī podcast dedicated to keeping Smith’s legacy alive, My Favourite Elliott Smith Song, is hosting a celebration of his life in north London next week to mark Smith’s 50th birthday, with this special night of live music set to bring together a host of well-known artists and emerging talent. With his admitted past drug use and problems with relationships (both family and otherwise), it seems clear these songs are him, raw and unedited.August 6, 2019, marks what would’ve been the late Elliott Smith’s 50th birthday. It would be hard to imagine that the majority of his lyrics, so sincere and detailed, could be a work of fiction. Over the course of his first two solo outings, Roman Candle (Cavity Search) and his self-titled second effort (Kill Rock Stars), his fans are left to wonder if he isn’t writing entirely autobiographically.

Not that Elliott Smith the songwriter or performer isn’t making the most of his own potential here.

It’s as good a statement as any to describe the mood of this collection of songs about drug abuse, failed relationships and the pitfalls of stardom. So starts “Between The Bars”, from Elliott Smith’s third solo album either/or. “Drink up baby / Stay up all night / With the things you could do / You won’t but you might / The potential you’ll be / That you’ll never see / The promises you’ll only make”. “Just when you think that Brazil must surely have exhausted its supply of irresistibly jazzy, funky, sexy, soulful electro-pop singer-songwriters, someone like CéU comes along and irresistibly mixes samba, reggae, dub, electronica and soul music and makes you think that maybe that particular well is bottomless after all.” - Six Degrees Records “Lead-singer of Elk City and firebrand, Renée LoBue brings you on what feels like a free-wheeling make-out session right after your worst break-up.” - Friendly Fire Recordings

Elliott smith either or itunes