The Life & Tragic Death of Elliott Smith | "Mr. Misery" | Romanticism of Self Harm in the 2000's

This week, Drewby and Yergy discuss the life and death of Elliott Smith, who was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and lived much of his life in Portland, Oregon, where he first gained popularity. Smith's primary instrument was the guitar, though he also played piano, clarinet, bass guitar, drums, and harmonica.

Smith was a drinker and drug user. He was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and major depressive disorder. His struggles with drugs and mental illness affected his life and work, and often appeared in his lyrics. In 2003 at the age of 34, he died in Los Angeles, California from two stab wounds to the chest. The autopsy evidence was inconclusive as to whether the wounds were self-inflicted or the result of homicide. At the time of his death, Smith was working on his sixth studio album, From a Basement on the Hill, which was posthumously completed and released in 2004.

We discuss some of the theories surrounding the case, specifically the evidence that has circulated that his then girlfriend, Jennifer Chiba may have allegedly had something to do with his death. We also discuss the state of the music scene at the time, and how his music and the music of others may have influenced the romanticism of self harm and abuse among fans during the early 2000's.

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Source Material:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliott_Smith

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2004/mar/19/popandrock.elliottsmith

https://drownedinsound.com/news/8767-elliott-smith--coroners-report-posted-online-happy-ending-release-shelved

https://youtu.be/AzfQ7bZgQtc

https://justiceforelliottsmithcom.wordpress.com/