According to various sources, US singer-songwriter Elliott Smith has died. Websites and various radio stations are reporting that the singer passed away yesterday (October 21) at the age of 34. The official cause of death is currently unclear.
Born in 1969 in Nebraska, Smith started his music career as a member of Portland, Oregon band, Heatmiser, in the early 90s. He earned plaudits for his 1994 debut solo release Roman Candle, with critics comparing his stripped down, melancholic melodies to the likes of Nick Drake and Neil Young.
His 1997 album, Either/Or, brought him wider acclaim, though his greatest mainstream success followed the same year’s Oscar nomination for the song “Miss Misery” from his score for Gus Van Sant’s Good Will Hunting. His music has since featured regularly on other movie soundtracks, including Wes Anderson’s New York disfunctional family drama, The Royal Tenenbaums.
see the Sweet Adeline fansite or UK arts magazine Guardian Unlimited for more information.
