My Favourite Elliott Smith Song
165 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 days ago - ★★★★★ - 70 ratingsThe premise of this podcast is very simple - in each episode, we speak to a famous fan of Elliott Smith's to discuss their favourite song of his and how they got into his music.
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Episodes
13: Charlene Kaye
October 15, 2020 13:00 - 18 minutesMusician Charlene Kaye joins us for our penultimate episode of season three. Charlene is a solo artist, who goes by the name KAYE. She's preparing to release her new album, Conscious Control, which comes out in November 2020. You may also know Charlene as the lead vocalist of the band San Fermin, which she was part of for five years. She's a big Elliott Smith fan too. And in this episode, we discuss how his music takes her back to a certain place in time, his impact on her and the wider ...
12: Catherynne M. Valente
October 01, 2020 12:20 - 27 minutesCatherynne M. Valente - or Cat - is a writer of fantasy and science fiction books. Her work includes the novels Palimpsest and Space Opera, and the Fairyland and Orphan's Tales series of books. Cat heard Elliott Smith for the first time in Miss Misery and immediately set about saving the money she needed to buy the film's soundtrack. In this interview we talk about how her love of Elliott has grown since, how it has helped her through some difficult times and, of course, her pick for her f...
S3 Ep12: Catherynne M. Valente
October 01, 2020 12:20 - 25 minutesCatherynne M. Valente - or Cat - is a writer of fantasy and science fiction books. Her work includes the novels Palimpsest and Space Opera, and the Fairyland and Orphan's Tales series of books. Cat heard Elliott Smith for the first time in Miss Misery and immediately set about saving the money she needed to buy the film's soundtrack. In this interview we talk about how her love of Elliott has grown since, how it has helped her through some difficult times and, of course, her pick for her f...
S3 Ep11: Jessica Dobson (Deep Sea Diver)
September 17, 2020 14:00 - 19 minutesJoining us today is musician, Jessica Dobson. Jessica Dobson is a musician based in Los Angeles. She's the lead singer and guitarist for her band Deep Sea Diver, a group she formed in 2012. Before starting that project, Jessica played and toured with the likes of Beck, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Conor Oberst, and was a member of The Shins for a couple of years from 2011 to 2013. In this interview, Jessica picks a great Elliott Smith song to discuss (one we were surprised didn't go earlier) and ...
11: Jessica Dobson (Deep Sea Diver)
September 17, 2020 14:00 - 20 minutesJoining us today is musician, Jessica Dobson. Jessica Dobson is a musician based in Los Angeles. She's the lead singer and guitarist for her band Deep Sea Diver, a group she formed in 2012. Before starting that project, Jessica played and toured with the likes of Beck, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Conor Oberst, and was a member of The Shins for a couple of years from 2011 to 2013. In this interview, Jessica picks a great Elliott Smith song to discuss (one we were surprised didn't go earlier) and ...
10: Bunny Rogers
September 03, 2020 13:00 - 26 minutesJoining us today is the visual artist, Bunny Rogers. Bunny is a contemporary American artist that creates installation, video and sculptural works. She told us that Elliott Smith has been a big inspiration in a number of her works, sometimes consciously and other times subconsciously. Bunny has exhibited her work at many significant art museums and organisations all around the world, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, NY, The Marciano Art Foundation, Los Angeles, Societe, Berl...
S3 Ep10: Bunny Rogers
September 03, 2020 13:00 - 25 minutesJoining us today is the visual artist, Bunny Rogers. Bunny is a contemporary American artist that creates installation, video and sculptural works. She told us that Elliott Smith has been a big inspiration in a number of her works, sometimes consciously and other times subconsciously. Bunny has exhibited her work at many significant art museums and organisations all around the world, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, NY, The Marciano Art Foundation, Los Angeles, Societe, Berl...
9: Steve Holmes (American Football)
August 06, 2020 12:30 - 26 minutesThis episode is released on a special day - what would have been Elliott Smith’s 51st birthday. We’ve been saving this interview to put out today because our guest Steve Holmes, who plays in the band American Football, has quite a strong personal connection to the song he picked. He talks us through one of Elliott’s rare and unreleased tracks because he was actually there at one of the very few times it was ever played live. For those that don't know, American Football are a band that fo...
S3 Ep9: Steve Holmes (American Football)
August 06, 2020 12:30 - 24 minutesThis episode is released on a special day - what would have been Elliott Smith’s 51st birthday. We’ve been saving this interview to put out today because our guest Steve Holmes, who plays in the band American Football, has quite a strong personal connection to the song he picked. He talks us through one of Elliott’s rare and unreleased tracks because he was actually there at one of the very few times it was ever played live. For those that don't know, American Football are a band that fo...
9: Steve Holmes
August 06, 2020 12:30 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBThis episode is released on a special day - what would have been Elliott Smith’s 51st birthday. We’ve been saving this interview to put out today because our guest Steve Holmes, who plays in the band American Football, has quite a strong personal connection to the song he picked. He talks us through one of Elliott’s rare and unreleased tracks because he was actually there at one of the very few times it was ever played live. For those that don't know, American Football are a band that for...
8: JJ Gonson
July 23, 2020 12:15 - 31 minutesJoining us for this bonus episode* is the photographer, JJ Gonson. JJ had a big impact on Elliott Smith's career - particularly in the earlier stages. She was the manager of Heatmiser, she lived with Elliott in the house he recorded his first solo album in (a record she had a writing credit on), and she took countless photos of him and their friends during those days in Portland. JJ is also preparing to publish a coffee table book of rare and unseen images of Elliott alongside the self-t...
S3 Ep8: JJ Gonson
July 23, 2020 12:15 - 29 minutesJoining us for this bonus episode* is the photographer, JJ Gonson. JJ had a big impact on Elliott Smith's career - particularly in the earlier stages. She was the manager of Heatmiser, she lived with Elliott in the house he recorded his first solo album in (a record she had a writing credit on), and she took countless photos of him and their friends during those days in Portland. JJ is also preparing to publish a coffee table book of rare and unseen images of Elliott alongside the self-t...
S3 Ep7: Sammy Brue (plus Max Bloom)
July 09, 2020 12:15 - 23 minutesIn this episode, we’re taking a bit of a two pronged approach to the song we’re looking at. First up, we have our main interview, which is with the musician Sammy Brue. Sammy is a musician based in Ogden, Utah, in the United States. Sammy released his first album at the age of just 16, and now at only 18 he’s just put out his second record, Crash Test Kid. He’s also quite new as an Elliott Smith fan, having only recently delved a bit deeper into Elliott’s catalogue on a recent tour to Germ...
7: Sammy Brue (plus Max Bloom)
July 09, 2020 12:15 - 25 minutesIn this episode, we’re taking a bit of a two pronged approach to the song we’re looking at. First up, we have our main interview, which is with the musician Sammy Brue. Sammy is a musician based in Ogden, Utah, in the United States. Sammy released his first album at the age of just 16, and now at only 18 he’s just put out his second record, Crash Test Kid. He’s also quite new as an Elliott Smith fan, having only recently delved a bit deeper into Elliott’s catalogue on a recent tour to Germ...
6: Josh Burgess (Yumi Zouma)
June 25, 2020 12:30 - 23 minutesOur guest today is the musician, Josh Burgess. Josh plays in a band from New Zealand called Yumi Zouma. The group have been making music since 2014 and have put out three studio albums, with their most recent record - called Truth or Consequences - coming out in March this year. The band’s sound is a lot poppier than Elliott Smith’s, so it was interesting to hear that Josh was a fan, and we used this discussion to find out how he weaves Elliott influences into his songwriting, as well as ...
S3 Ep6: Josh Burgess (Yumi Zouma)
June 25, 2020 12:30 - 21 minutesOur guest today is the musician, Josh Burgess. Josh plays in a band from New Zealand called Yumi Zouma. The group have been making music since 2014 and have put out three studio albums, with their most recent record - called Truth or Consequences - coming out in March this year. The band’s sound is a lot poppier than Elliott Smith’s, so it was interesting to hear that Josh was a fan, and we used this discussion to find out how he weaves Elliott influences into his songwriting, as well as ...
S3 Ep5: Ben Gregory (Blaenavon)
June 11, 2020 12:30 - 21 minutesOur guest today is the musician Ben Gregory. Ben is the lead singer and guitarist from the band, Blaenavon. Last year the band released their second album, Everything That Makes You Happy, and a collection of demos called Demoitis. And Demoitis has, Ben says, some of his most Elliott Smith-influenced work. So, in this interview, we discuss that record, how he can relate to the mental strain Elliott may have experienced while touring, as well as his favourite song pick too (disclaimer: it ...
5: Ben Gregory (Blaenavon)
June 11, 2020 12:30 - 23 minutesOur guest today is the musician Ben Gregory. Ben is the lead singer and guitarist from the band, Blaenavon. Last year the band released their second album, Everything That Makes You Happy, and a collection of demos called Demoitis. And Demoitis has, Ben says, some of his most Elliott Smith-influenced work. So, in this interview, we discuss that record, how he can relate to the mental strain Elliott may have experienced while touring, as well as his favourite song pick too (disclaimer: it ...
5: Ben Gregory
June 11, 2020 12:30 - 21 minutes - 20.2 MBOur guest today is the musician Ben Gregory. Ben is the lead singer and guitarist from the band, Blaenavon. Last year the band released their second album, Everything That Makes You Happy, and a collection of demos called Demoitis. And Demoitis has, Ben says, some of his most Elliott Smith-influenced work. So, in this interview, we discuss that record, how he can relate to the mental strain Elliott may have experienced while touring, as well as his favourite song pick too (disclaimer: it may...
4: Merlin Mann
May 28, 2020 13:30 - 25 minutesOur guest today is the writer and podcaster, Merlin Mann. Merlin is the man(n) behind shows such as Do By Friday, Reconcilable Differences, Back to Work and Roderick on the Line, with a former guest on this show, John Roderick. He's also a big Elliott Smith fan too, and in this interview he talks about seeing him play live, how he still turns to his music when he's feeling vulnerable and we cover his favourite song choice as well. Our listener pick today comes from Steven Erskine in Arizon...
S3 Ep4: Merlin Mann
May 28, 2020 13:30 - 24 minutesOur guest today is the writer and podcaster, Merlin Mann. Merlin is the man(n) behind shows such as Do By Friday, Reconcilable Differences, Back to Work and Roderick on the Line, with a former guest on this show, John Roderick. He's also a big Elliott Smith fan too, and in this interview he talks about seeing him play live, how he still turns to his music when he's feeling vulnerable and we cover his favourite song choice as well. Our listener pick today comes from Steven Erskine in Arizon...
3: Joseph Gilgun
May 21, 2020 12:30 - 20 minutesWelcome to a season three bonus episode! Our guest today is the actor Joe Gilgun, who's been in films and TV programmes such as This is England, Misfits and Preacher, and you currently see him on screens in the UK in Brassic, a show he also created. It's a bonus episode because Joe had so many different Elliott Smith songs he wanted to pick, we decided to discuss several tracks, rather than just one. We also talk about why he relates to Elliott's music so much, particularly the honesty of ...
S3 Ep3: Joseph Gilgun
May 21, 2020 12:30 - 19 minutesWelcome to a season three bonus episode! Our guest today is the actor Joe Gilgun, who's been in films and TV programmes such as This is England, Misfits and Preacher, and you currently see him on screens in the UK in Brassic, a show he also created. It's a bonus episode because Joe had so many different Elliott Smith songs he wanted to pick, we decided to discuss several tracks, rather than just one. We also talk about why he relates to Elliott's music so much, particularly the honesty of ...
S3 Ep2: Joan as Police Woman
May 14, 2020 11:30 - 22 minutesOur guest today is Joan Wasser (aka Joan as Police Woman). Joan is a musician, who started off her career playing with several bands including the Dambuilders, Antony and the Johnsons and Those Bastard Souls. Since the early 2000s, Joan has principally released music as a successful solo artist, releasing five regular studio albums, plus an EP and a couple of collections of covers. She's lived in New York City since the '90s, and it's there she met Elliott Smith - playing the same shows an...
2: Joan as Police Woman
May 14, 2020 11:30 - 24 minutesOur guest today is Joan Wasser (aka Joan as Police Woman). Joan is a musician, who started off her career playing with several bands including the Dambuilders, Antony and the Johnsons and Those Bastard Souls. Since the early 2000s, Joan has principally released music as a successful solo artist, releasing five regular studio albums, plus an EP and a couple of collections of covers. She's lived in New York City since the '90s, and it's there she met Elliott Smith - playing the same shows an...
1: Christian Lee Hutson
April 30, 2020 12:00 - 19 minutesKicking off our third season is the musician, Christian Lee Hutson. Christian is a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles. He's currently preparing to release his third album, which has been produced by his friend and collaborator (and former guest on this show) Phoebe Bridgers. Keeping that kind of company, it's perhaps unsurprising that he is a big Elliott Smith fan. In this interview, we talk about how his dad introduced him to Elliott, why it was 'unfashionable' to like the album XO ...
S3 Ep1: Christian Lee Hutson
April 30, 2020 12:00 - 17 minutesKicking off our third season is the musician, Christian Lee Hutson. Christian is a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles. He's currently preparing to release his third album, which has been produced by his friend and collaborator (and former guest on this show) Phoebe Bridgers. Keeping that kind of company, it's perhaps unsurprising that he is a big Elliott Smith fan. In this interview, we talk about how his dad introduced him to Elliott, why it was 'unfashionable' to like the album XO ...
16: Fenne Lily (plus Ross Harris and Charlie Ramirez)
January 16, 2020 13:30 - 33 minutesTo kick off the final episode of our second season, we speak to the musician Fenne Lily. Fenne is based in Bristol in the UK and released her first album, On Hold, in 2018. She's currently preparing to release her second record and kindly took some time out to chat to us about her favourite Elliott Smith song, what she learns from Elliott's writing and why she didn't become a fully fledged fan until a little bit later on. After we speak to Fenne, we delve into the podcast archives to pic...
S2 Ep16: Fenne Lily (plus Ross Harris and Charlie Ramirez)
January 16, 2020 13:30 - 31 minutesTo kick off the final episode of our second season, we speak to the musician Fenne Lily. Fenne is based in Bristol in the UK and released her first album, On Hold, in 2018. She's currently preparing to release her second record and kindly took some time out to chat to us about her favourite Elliott Smith song, what she learns from Elliott's writing and why she didn't become a fully fledged fan until a little bit later on. After we speak to Fenne, we delve into the podcast archives to pic...
S2 Ep15: Rob Grote
December 12, 2019 14:30 - 13 minutesOur guest for our final episode of 2019 is the musician Rob Grote. Rob is the lead singer and guitarist in Philadelphia band, The Districts. He's also a massive Elliott Smith fan, and in this interview we talk about his selection for his favourite song, some of the Elliott lyrics he likes and why his music is really for any occasion. Following the chat with Rob, our listener pick comes from James Jefferys from Aarhus, Denmark. Hope you enjoy listening to this episode and see you again ...
15: Rob Grote
December 12, 2019 14:30 - 15 minutesOur guest for our final episode of 2019 is the musician Rob Grote. Rob is the lead singer and guitarist in Philadelphia band, The Districts. He's also a massive Elliott Smith fan, and in this interview we talk about his selection for his favourite song, some of the Elliott lyrics he likes and why his music is really for any occasion. Following the chat with Rob, our listener pick comes from James Jefferys from Aarhus, Denmark. Hope you enjoy listening to this episode and see you again ...
S2 Ep14: Ellen Kempner
November 27, 2019 12:50 - 16 minutesOur guest today is the musician Ellen Kempner. Ellen leads the band Palehound, who released their third studio album, Black Friday, earlier this year. Ellen cites Elliott Smith has a major influence on that record, as well as on all of her previous work too. In this interview, we discuss how those influences come through in her music, how she was introduced to Elliott by a former guest on this show and we also talk through her favourite song pick too. Following the interview with Ellen, ...
14: Ellen Kempner
November 27, 2019 12:50 - 18 minutesOur guest today is the musician Ellen Kempner. Ellen leads the band Palehound, who released their third studio album, Black Friday, earlier this year. Ellen cites Elliott Smith has a major influence on that record, as well as on all of her previous work too. In this interview, we discuss how those influences come through in her music, how she was introduced to Elliott by a former guest on this show and we also talk through her favourite song pick too. Following the interview with Ellen, ...
13: James Alex
November 07, 2019 14:00 - 21 minutesOur guest for episode 13 of our second series is the musician, James Alex. James is best known for his work with the punk rock band, Beach Slang, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the US. They've released two studio albums - as well as one under the name Quiet Slang - with another on the way in the early part of 2020. James is, unsurprising, a massive Elliott Smith fan. In this interview, he talks about his at times academic approach to understanding Elliott's lyrics, as well as the ...
S2 Ep13: James Alex
November 07, 2019 14:00 - 20 minutesOur guest for episode 13 of our second series is the musician, James Alex. James is best known for his work with the punk rock band, Beach Slang, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the US. They've released two studio albums - as well as one under the name Quiet Slang - with another on the way in the early part of 2020. James is, unsurprising, a massive Elliott Smith fan. In this interview, he talks about his at times academic approach to understanding Elliott's lyrics, as well as the ...
S2 Ep12: Prateek Kuhad
October 24, 2019 12:30 - 17 minutesOur guest today is the musician Prateek Kuhad. Prateek is a singer/songwriter currently based in New Delhi, India, though his life as a touring musician means he often finds himself further afield than that. He grew up in India as an aspiring musician but it wasn't until he moved to New York to go to university that he really got into Elliott Smith. In our interview, he discusses when it all clicked for Elliott with him, the impact it's had on his career and, of course, he talks about hi...
12: Prateek Kuhad
October 24, 2019 12:30 - 18 minutesOur guest today is the musician Prateek Kuhad. Prateek is a singer/songwriter currently based in New Delhi, India, though his life as a touring musician means he often finds himself further afield than that. He grew up in India as an aspiring musician but it wasn't until he moved to New York to go to university that he really got into Elliott Smith. In our interview, he discusses when it all clicked for Elliott with him, the impact it's had on his career and, of course, he talks about hi...
S2 Ep11: Sameer Gadhia
October 10, 2019 13:15 - 19 minutesOur guest today is the musician Sameer Gandhia. Sameer is the lead singer of the band Young the Giant, a Los Angeles based group who've released four albums so far, including, most recently, Mirror Master, which came out about a year ago. He is also a big Elliott Smith fan, and in this interview he talks about how he's finding new appreciation for Elliott as his own career progresses, how he became a fan of his music and Sameer also talks through his favourite song pick too. We round o...
11: Sameer Gadhia
October 10, 2019 13:15 - 21 minutesOur guest today is the musician Sameer Gandhia. Sameer is the lead singer of the band Young the Giant, a Los Angeles based group who've released four albums so far, including, most recently, Mirror Master, which came out about a year ago. He is also a big Elliott Smith fan, and in this interview he talks about how he's finding new appreciation for Elliott as his own career progresses, how he became a fan of his music and Sameer also talks through his favourite song pick too. We round o...
10: John Roderick
September 26, 2019 12:30 - 24 minutesMusician, writer and podcaster John Roderick is our guest for episode 10 of season two. John was part of the music scene in Seattle during the '90s, while Elliott Smith was making a name for himself in nearby Portland. He saw Elliott play numerous times and admired the way he was able to carve his own sound, which was distinctive from a lot of other artists in the Pacific Northwest at the time. In this interview, John discusses the song that really cemented that admiration for Elliott's ...
S2 Ep10: John Roderick
September 26, 2019 12:30 - 22 minutesMusician, writer and podcaster John Roderick is our guest for episode 10 of season two. John was part of the music scene in Seattle during the '90s, while Elliott Smith was making a name for himself in nearby Portland. He saw Elliott play numerous times and admired the way he was able to carve his own sound, which was distinctive from a lot of other artists in the Pacific Northwest at the time. In this interview, John discusses the song that really cemented that admiration for Elliott's ...
S2 Ep9: Slim Moon
September 12, 2019 12:30 - 20 minutesOur guest today is Slim Moon, the founder of the record label Kill Rock Stars. KRS put out two Elliott Smith albums, the self-titled record (1995) and Either/Or (1997), so Slim had pretty much a front row seat as he saw Elliott firmly establish himself as a successful solo artist. As you can imagine, Slim has some incredible stories to tell – both about his favourite song pick, his relationship with Elliott and their work together. He also reveals a new album Elliott album re-issue...
9: Slim Moon
September 12, 2019 12:30 - 22 minutesOur guest today is Slim Moon, the founder of the record label Kill Rock Stars. KRS put out two Elliott Smith albums, the self-titled record (1995) and Either/Or (1997), so Slim had pretty much a front row seat as he saw Elliott firmly establish himself as a successful solo artist. As you can imagine, Slim has some incredible stories to tell – both about his favourite song pick, his relationship with Elliott and their work together. He also reveals a new album Elliott album re-issue...
S2 Ep8: Laura Stevenson
August 22, 2019 14:00 - 16 minutesOur guest today is the musician Laura Stevenson. Laura is from New York and has released five albums over the course of her career, including, most recently, The Big Freeze which came out in March. Laura is also a big Elliott fan, whose work has been influenced considerably by him. In this interview we talk about how those influences come up in her music, her covering the song Angel in the Snow and her pick for her favourite song too. Hope you enjoy it! Next up on My Favourite Elliot...
8: Laura Stevenson
August 22, 2019 14:00 - 18 minutesOur guest today is the musician Laura Stevenson. Laura is from New York and has released five albums over the course of her career, including, most recently, The Big Freeze which came out in March. Laura is also a big Elliott fan, whose work has been influenced considerably by him. In this interview we talk about how those influences come up in her music, her covering the song Angel in the Snow and her pick for her favourite song too. Hope you enjoy it! Next up on My Favourite Elliot...
7: Margaret Cho
August 08, 2019 12:00 - 25 minutesOur guest for today's episode is the comedian, musician, actress and writer, Margaret Cho. Margaret is multi-talented, so you may know her from films such as Face Off, TV shows like Drop Dead Diva or her successful stand up and music careers. Margaret is also a huge Elliott Smith fan, which came to light most prominently in the day following his death in 2003 when she posted a heartfelt blog on what Elliott's music meant to her. In this interview, we discuss that article, how it helped her...
S2 Ep7: Margaret Cho
August 08, 2019 12:00 - 23 minutesOur guest for today's episode is the comedian, musician, actress and writer, Margaret Cho. Margaret is multi-talented, so you may know her from films such as Face Off, TV shows like Drop Dead Diva or her successful stand up and music careers. Margaret is also a huge Elliott Smith fan, which came to light most prominently in the day following his death in 2003 when she posted a heartfelt blog on what Elliott's music meant to her. In this interview, we discuss that article, how it helped her...
S2 Ep6: Charlie Campbell (plus Portland Cello Project)
July 25, 2019 13:20 - 23 minutesIn the sixth episode of this series, we're joined by Charlie Campbell, formerly of Portland band Pond, and Douglas Jenkins from the Portland Cello Project. First up, we hear from Charlie on his favourite song pick, what it was like playing and touring with Elliott during the '90s, and he also mentions one or two regrets he has about the time they spent together. We stick with the Portland theme with Doug, who is the artistic director of the Portland Cello Project. His group are a collect...
6: Charlie Campbell (plus Portland Cello Project)
July 25, 2019 13:20 - 25 minutesIn the sixth episode of this series, we're joined by Charlie Campbell, formerly of Portland band Pond, and Douglas Jenkins from the Portland Cello Project. First up, we hear from Charlie on his favourite song pick, what it was like playing and touring with Elliott during the '90s, and he also mentions one or two regrets he has about the time they spent together. We stick with the Portland theme with Doug, who is the artistic director of the Portland Cello Project. His group are a collect...
S2 Ep5: Martin Courtney
June 27, 2019 13:00 - 18 minutesOur guest today is the musician Martin Courtney. Martin is the lead singer and guitarist in the band Real Estate. He’s been big into Elliott Smith since he was in high school and can even be found tweeting about Elliott from time to time – which is actually how we realised he was a fan in the first place. In this interview, we discuss his favourite song pick, we talk about how he came across Elliott first time and Martin also mentions a producer he’s worked with who may have some h...