Elliott Smith Phone Interview, October 2000

[@jessica0321]

Even Elliott's speaking voice is beautiful. Every part of his being seemed to display a level of vulnerability not sustainable with life on this planet, and I guess it wasn't...but I'm so grateful he existed. I feel like he was authentic even when it wasn't convenient. Wish he was still here. Glad he was here at all. He lives on through these interviews and his music. Thanks, Neil!

[@antidepressantscale4675]

Agreed. His voice was beautiful.

[@ImprovEyes-fc9fo]

People like him are often targeted by dark triad people who are seeking new supply for narcissistic abuse. I’m curious how his label treated him compared with other artists. I’m not assuming anything there though. I haven’t looked for any evidence, I like to think I’m personally on the side of light triad empathic individuals. To me and many other empathetic people who I have met agree that Elliott naturally inspires a sort of protective instinct in his fans who never even met him. Not only his music but his aura itself has that reaction. That deeper connection and unshakable sense of innocence he radiates made the final outcome all the more tragic. I have heard some rumors about Jennifer Chiba (all bad) and the death happening not long after the Kurt and Courtney tragedy I wouldn’t be surprised if he was murdered. Intentionally or unintentionally, Chiba knew better than to remove that knife.. she was professionally trained in first aid.reminds me a bit of his song titled (some song) Anyways, sorry for blowing up your post, I’d collected some steam this morning and I liked what you had to say so I chose to comment on yours.

[@jessica0321]

@@ImprovEyes-fc9fo I've definitely experienced similar thought processes to what you've shared. With that said, even codependants and empaths can display high levels of narcissism (so not always as innocent as one may assume), and often times we attract (or are attracted to) particular energies until we decide to heal from past trauma (so, not always targeted). From documentaries I've watched, there are a lot of hints to Elliot being imperfect, haha (which I'm sure he'd agree with). It's really easy to view celebrities in an almost inhuman, archetypal fashion. For me, anyway, reminding myself that Elliot wasn't an innocent baby kitten being demolished by lions, mildly quells some of the pain I've felt over the story of his life and passing. He's human, just like the rest of us, and he made decisions that weren't always beneficial to his well-being. None of this takes away from the innocence and beauty he displayed (which you noted and which made him quite special). There is a reason he was loved by so many. Was he too sensitive and authentic for Hollywood? I think so. He was Ferdinand. He knew he was going to get eaten alive. But he died doing what he came here to do - what he loved doing. And his music lives on.

[@Readabookfoofoo]

I love how you asked him about what he was reading, and it was Bulgakov. Beautiful interview. Such a beautiful and sweet soul.

[@joelglanton6531]

What a gift to hear a "new" interview of Smith. I know I'm not the only one who's listened to every interview, bootleg, and studio recording of his over the years. I also love how he was an average music fan with an average selection and a handful of favorites as opposed to some music snob or connoisseur with this vast collection of albums and esoteric rarities who posessed an encyclopedic knowledge of classic and contemporary music. It makes it even more amazing that he had such an ear for what makes a song sound good.

[@providencesurf]

Amazing to hear him again. Such honest takes on his process. Great questions, nice pace. None of that ridiculous rapid fire media sh*t. It all seemed natural and comfortable.

[@animalrevenge1058]

I saw him twice in Paris, his concerts were always full of soul, always loved the way he was asking people “what song do you wanna hear? » I miss him, fantastic song writer. Cool interview 👍🏻

[@Tuckermoore]

Wow really great questions for aspiring songwriters I haven’t found anywhere else

[@Tuckermoore]

Especially the question about silence

[@timtrainer618]

What a gem! I saw him perform very close to this time in 2000 at the Beacon Theatre in nyc…I had been an early fan since his second album and it was deeply surreal and inspiring seeing him perform live. Thank you for sharing this ✨🙏🏻✌🏻🔥

[@ShayGross]

💯💯💫💫

[@st0fcrocodiles]

That self titled album. For real

[@ShayGross]

@@st0fcrocodiles It isn't always rated as fans' favorite albums but it's like nothing other in music. It's pure life force in action and genius.

[@st0fcrocodiles]

@@ShayGross picking a fave is splitting hairs isn't it

[@ShayGross]

@@st0fcrocodiles I hear ya. Good point!

[@GodInTheMachine]

mad for the lad thank you Neil

[@pdelaprimm]

Thank you!

[@branland7464]

Amazing! Love hearing him talk about writing

[@ShayGross]

Neil- This is incredible. Even the phone ringing brings us back to that era. Can you tell us what made you upload it this month? It's just wonderful and thrilled for you that you had this lengthy talk with Elliott Smith. May his music and way of living reach all future generations. OX

[@neilpaananen2694]

@ShayGross Thank you! I had been thinking about putting it up in a more accessible place for awhile, but what prompted it finally happening was my daughter suggesting that I do it so that her friend who liked Elliott Smith could hear it. Happy to pass on this artifact for future generations who appreciate Elliott. :)

[@ShayGross]

@@neilpaananen2694 That's wonderful that your daughter is learning about your career + past interviews, I am assuming. Thanks to her for the encouragement to post it! We all benefit. I sent it around to about 20 people on Instagram and the response has been wonderful- especially to hear his voice in this one and the topic.

[@gunderalex]

@@neilpaananen2694 That is so amazing, what an awesome cool dad moment. Thanks for posting!

[@jaredhiebert7334]

Raw Power. Hell yeah.

[@catface101]

Fantastic, thanks for uploading!

[@ShayGross]

💫💫💫💫

[@aviside2900]

thank you for your comments on the Shooting Star alternate mix

[@jamesheath7601]

Thanks for sharing 😊

[@mrjoshherman]

Thanks for sharing! My favorite question was about whether it was important to have a biographical knowledge of the musician to appreciate their art. So many people hold Elliott's music up as a monument to human genius and want to dissect his mind to find the secret formula to reproduce his success. But music doesn't work that way--only fame, as Elliott keenly pointed out.

[@st0fcrocodiles]

It's nice to hear him confirm that his songs *actually are* sometimes in his point of view.

[@ShayGross]

💫💫💫💫

[@st0fcrocodiles]

@@greenrockyroad3845 definitely

[@gingerroot8802]

I would bet most of them are. I never understood the argument that he was basing them on other people. It's clear that in most of his songs it's from his own experiences.

[@gingerroot8802]

@@greenrockyroad3845 That's fine but the more early drafts/recordings of songs we hear of his the more we often find that he later substitutes "me" with "you" or "them". Only noting that

[@cozmos21]

As a songwriter myself I would assume that he wrote stuff based on an observation and situations, but more often just based on a feeling or a mood, then created a story and characters around that to give it meaning and express that. Songs aren't 100% real. So he most likely was expressing his emotions through made up stories with pieces that were true, rather than depicting exact experiences he was living @@gingerroot8802

[@rachelzitomer5081]

One of the best interviews I've heard with him, you seemed to have a nice rapport. Thanks for sharing this Neil!

[@TheMiapapia]

This is like gold. Thank you for sharing this. It’s really nice to hear. Many thanks!!

[@djabelinc6069]

I would kill to hear Elliott on a modern Rick Rubin podcast

[@joelglanton6531]

Larry Crane did a great interview with Tape Op magazine several years back that you can probably still find on Google. It's about as close as you'll get to something like that.

[@frafrafrafrafra]

Thank you so much for this

[@Beerandentunez]

Really great…thanks for posting

[@Rob1964b]

Thanks for this. A window into the mind of a genius.

[@andysparks8103]

He’s up there w Paul. His solo stuff is better than Paul’s I think

[@AyakiKay-kj8gm]

Hi you ❤

[@LeahDyson-kq4bd]

Hello? Hello loretta

[@hxirball]

2:40 11:15

[@andracampbell8786]

😱 *Promo SM*