Can’t Make a Sound

On a grey LA morning like today, it’s hard not to want to give an Elliott Smith record a spin.  I had the privilege of photographing the talented singer-songwriter at Chicago’s renowned Metro theatre back in May ’00.  I remember it being a pretty short gig (under an hour and a half), and he was considerably reserved on stage, which came as no surprise.  Still, it was great to finally see and hear him live, and the show did not disappoint.

I’ve been an Elliott Smith fan since college, but having lived in Los Angeles for over 7 years, I’ve found that I now have a better understanding and appreciation of his music than I did then.  The vast sprawl of suburbia and dreams deferred that is LA was so often the muse for his songs of weariness and isolation.   Needless to say, I can certainly relate.  I also recently found out that his former recording studio is only a few miles away from our home, and it’s such a shame he’s no longer around as well.