Elliott Smith

by de Wilde, Autumn; Hansen, Beck; Walla, Chris

• ISBN13: 9780811857994
• ISBN10: 0811857999
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-11-01
• Publisher: Chronicle Books

Summary

Including a CD of unreleased live acoustic performances, 200 photos and revealing conversations with Smith's surviving friends, family and fellow musicians, Elliott Smith is the only book on the beloved and troubled singer/songwriter by those who knew him well. Written by a close friend, it is authorized by Smith's family.A major indie-rock cult figure when he died, Smith's Beatlesque pop songs have left a deep mark on a generation of fans and musicians. His music in the film Good Will Hunting was nominated for an Oscar. His six albums have sold over a million copies worldwide and counting.Musicians Beck Hansen and Chris Walla write the foreword, while interviews range from members of the bands Death Cab for Cutie and Nada Surf to Smith's roommate, his girlfriend and his manager. Accompanying these personal conversations are handwritten song lyrics and ephemera.

Author Biography

Autumn de Wilde directed Elliott's video for "Son of Sam" and created the packaging for his album Figure 8; the cover image of him in front of a wall in L.A. led to the site becoming a spontaneous memorial for the singer after his death. She has also worked with Spoon, Death Cab for Cutie, the Raconteurs, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Jenny Lewis, Fiona Apple, and others. She lives in Los Angeles.

Beck Hansen has collaborated with de Wilde for many years, most recently on photographs and videos for his album The Information.

Chris Walla is a guitarist for the band Death Cab for Cutie and has worked as a producer with numerous bands.