Elliott Smith was a Portland-bred singer-songwriter whose hushed vocals, intricate fingerpicked guitar, and deeply confessional lyrics made him one of the most emotionally resonant voices in indie folk and lo-fi rock. His 1997 album Either/Or is widely regarded as a landmark of the genre, showcasing his gift for melody and the kind of raw, aching intimacy that would later earn him an Academy Award nomination for "Miss Misery" from the Good Will Hunting soundtrack.
