Five Years Gone

<img width="224" height="246" align="right" src="/uploads/elliotts.jpg" title="Elliott Smith, by Autumn de Wilde" class="right-img" alt="" />For many of us, the third week in October will always be synonymous with the day five years ago that we heard <a href="http://www.sweetadeline.net">Elliott Smith</a> had died. Not to overstate or romanticize it, but Smith wrote the kind of music that many continue to relate to on a very personal level-- no doubt at least part of the reason why the shock and tragedy of his loss continue to affect people on a similar level. This is particularly the case around these parts, in the adopted hometown whose landmarks fill so much of his music, from <a href="http://www.sweetadeline.net/alameda.html">Alameda</a> and <a href="http://lyricwiki.org/Elliott_Smith:Division_Day">Division</a> to the <a href="http://www.songmeanings.net/lyric.php?lid=61915">Rose Parade</a>. The last time I saw Elliott Smith was on Election Night 2000 in Salt Lake City-- ironically the same city where he would play his <a href="http://www.somesongs.net/showtemplate.php?2003-09-19">final public performance</a> almost three years later (a free show, and one for which I declined to make the five hour round trip drive. Ah, regrets.). It was one of a couple of times I was able to catch him on stage out there in the hinterlands and each left a lasting impression. It's not a stretch to say that those experiences are in part what led me to do what I'm currently doing (not to mention where I'm doing it). We'll remember Smith on Tuesday with music throughout the day on the stream, and you can also join the conversation on Tuesday's <a href="http://www.opb.org/thinkoutloud/">Think Out Loud</a> (9am on OPB radio) as they discuss Elliott Smith and the lasting legacy and influence of his music. But why wait? You can get started <a href="http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/opb/posts/list/1736412.page">right now</a>. Stream: Elliott Smith- <a href="http://www.samusic.net/thirteen.m4a">"Thirteen"</a> (Demo, Big Star cover)   <img width="290" height="196" align="left" alt="" class="left-img" title="The Mountain Goats bring you the last happy night of your life." src="/uploads/MountainGoatz.jpg" />Speaking of Tuesday, <a href="http://www.mountain-goats.com">The Mountain Goats</a> return to Portland-- fine enough news in and of itself, but this go around they do it with <a href="http://www.kakiking.com">Kaki King</a> as part of something they're billing <a href="http://www.mountain-goats.com/archives/2008/07/what-were-doing.html">The Last Happy Night of Your Life</a>. If they're speaking in terms of the rest of your life in comparison to the night at the Wonder Ballroom, they may very well have a point. John Darnielle's Mountain Goats are fresh off the typically excellent Heretic Pride out earlier in this year, while Kaki King's voice gained some ground on her world-class guitar playing on her latest, Dreaming of Revenge, making her a true double threat. Add to that the fact that the pairing has resulted in a new tour-only EP called Black Pear Tree, and you have absolutely no excuse to miss the bill. Unless that whole last happy night of your life thing worries you. Nevertheless. MP3: Mountain Goats & Kaki King- <a href="http://downloads.pitchforkmedia.com/Mountain%20Goats%20and%20Kaki%20King%20-%20Thank%20You%20Mario%20But%20Our%20Princess%20Is%20In%20Another%20Castle.mp3">"Thank You Mario But Our Princess Is in Another Castle"</a> More to come here throughout the week.....feel free to act and react. The thread is open...   true

2008-11-02T13:06:00-08:00

2008-10-19T13:29:23-07:00

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2008-10-19T14:06:18-07:00

Tuesday marks five years since the passing of Elliott Smith. Also this week: live music from the Mountain Goats and Kaki King, Dengue Fever, Nick Jaina, and Kings of Leon, plus new music from Of Montreal, The Dears, and Super XX Man.

Five Years Gone

2008-11-12T17:32:13-08:00