Save the photos and videos currently loaded on this page.
Keep this tab open until your download is ready.
![I was in the ninth grade, some time in October of that year, I want to say. My friend Ben came up to me in the hall that day, suggesting I check out this guy Elliott Smith’s music - he thought I might like it. I think it was Miss Misery, or maybe Waltz #2… or maybe it was Between the Bars; I still can’t remember which song was my first.
I went home that night and went deep down a rabbit hole, listening to his whole discography, b-sides, live shows, grand mal rarities, unreleased songs - you name it, I listened to it. There was something really special about discovering music back then, because it really was so much more personal, and *listening* to music was still a full activity on its own. Elliott was the first musician that made me feel understood, and I think that says a lot about the world of that 13 year old. He communicated such complex emotional landscapes with such lucidity and honesty. He was able to make sense of things that didn’t make any sense at all, called out bullshit, was deeply human, and led with tenderness. I needed him and his music.
Nearly two decades later, he has become a deep part of my identity. If you know me, you either associate me with Elliott Smith, Spider-Man, or both. Elliott is largely the reason I am the musician and person that I am today. Everything from how I write songs, how I think about arranging, how I think about melody and chords, even how I play guitar, is all because I cut my teeth (and fingers) learning how to play his songs. I would be up until 3 am most nights scouring the internet and @sweetadelinenet for tabs. I consider him one of the greatest artists and composers we had.
My love for him led me to connect with some great people over the years, other Elliott fans dedicated to keeping his memory alive. I’d connected with some people on tumblr way back in the day (if you’re reading this you know who you are), and I event went to @newmonkeystudio a few times to record, after years of being a wide eyed fan who would “one day record there”. Of course every time I’d go, I’d make sure to stop by the wall (I think I’ve been 4 times, but only two pics are on this phone).
[continued on next pic]
Over the years i by @jadmusic](https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/766737188_18617034175023948_8554832821669644105_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=SY1_cKEOSWQQ7kNvwEDbele&_nc_oc=AdpBo8vB5IzhYKjFwp8nw1n-dcHIiAJqgM7zv-9HHVLpXHBwH7XV_kKSBKAXVp3Yp7q1wgEfPQ5rH_h8CTQ0zGP2&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=petWypt9r2kuKUv1thb2AQ&_nc_ss=70689&oh=00_AQRL7fgPKKdR2YwouijbPtHre06ZPY1OcxpX2UAH7Woc0w&oe=6AEF81F2)
