Elliott. Brian Irwin played drums and bass and sang backup on these tracks.
Influences
Major life events, Nashville, Self-help books, love-affairs, HH The Dalai Lama, happy people, anything and everything that is good about life, my Grandma, travelling, my friends, my mother, Bob Dylan
If I was stuck on a desert island, and could only take three things with me, those three things would be a guitar, paints, and a journal. If I could only take one thing, it would be my guitar. The thing that keeps me going in life is being able to express myself, and my guitar is not only the most natural way for me to do this, but is the one thing that has been there through all my travels, and all the experiences I’ve been through in life. It’s the one thing I’ve always been able to turn to with whatever I’m feeling, and get the same calming reaction.
My Grandma was a best friend, and one of the dearest people in my life and on the day she passed away I found myself with my guitar trying to make sense of what I was feeling-trying to grasp the loss, and trying to see the light in it. My Grandma always taught me that there was good in everything. To make light of such a great loss, I decided I was going to write an uplifting song as a tribute to her.
I wrote ‘Nana’ just to play at Grandma’s funeral. However, after receiving such a positive response to the song, I decided to record it for the family in London that couldn’t make the funeral, and for anyone else that has lost someone close, either a ‘Nana,’ or anyone. To remind them that that person is just lighting up another place….a place somewhere over the rainbow.
‘When I Dream’ I also wrote that same day. My Grandma was my favorite person to go to for advice, and I feel like her voice and wisdom are permanently within my thoughts. I wrote the song as a promise that I would still continue to “call” her for advice. I was listening to a demo recording of this song, and thought I heard her voice, so went back to some tapes I had made of her telling her life story, and those are where the voices between the verses came from.
‘Being Human’ is a long long story. But suffice it to say I left everything behind to travel around the world to find happiness. After almost a year of traveling however, I realized that I couldn't find happiness in some distant place. That the only place I can ever find it is where I am today.
Would love to hear what you think. Drop me a line!
Hey.... If you're around on Friday, I'm playing at The Derby in Los Feliz. It's my first show in a couple years, and I'm totally psyched to get out and start playing my new tunes. Would love to see you if you're in the area...
You are amazing for being so supportive. Thanks again for coming tonight and for you and Justin's kind words. Hope to see you soon man. I want to hear some new music from you:)
Hey bud. So good to hear from you. we'd love to see you at Molly Malones. we're thinking of coming to Kulak's tonight. How you been? You been writting any?
Hey Brother!! HAvent talked to you in a long while! Ive been so sucked in by life and have just lost touch with everyone! I hope you are well... lets really hang out this week or next. I'm mostly available tuesday/wednesday nights maybe thursdays now... but ya hit me back Elliott~ Peace, Paulie
ps My grandma was my inspiration too! I was sincerely moved by nana bro~
I was searching for Elliot Smith, but your site came up. My grandma had just passed away, and I loved your "Nana" song. I listened to the rest of them as well!
Elliott I was far too busy trying to find my way home, after a night of total debauchery. I wouldn't have known where to find the tabasco or the back of your throat. But for the hell of it i'll bollock Will for that vicious act, it doesn't sound like something James would do? Hows Melissa is she still there?
Hey Brother, I hope all is well with ya. Looks like you are on another fantastic voyage and I wish you the best of luck. You have always been one of my deepest/thoughtful/spiritual friends and I'm happy you and I got to spend our time in Israel and New York. We need to see each other sooner rather than later, come on, I know you miss the times where you would sit back and just laugh at me for being so random!! Later bro, keep in touch!!
