Bad news, man: it’s officially been 10 years since Elliott Smith’s passing. Yup; let that sink in. That’s a while. And what have you gotten done in the intervening years? Not a whole lot? That’s what I thought; me neither. Shit, right? Yeah… but not to worry! After all, heck, we’re still here, right? And don’t look now, but here comes our chance to get out there and DO SOMETHING.
A little group that calls itself the Friends and Family of Elliott Smith (comprised, believe it or not, of friends and family of the late singer/songwriter) have recently taken to the internet to announce a series of commemorative benefit concerts across four major US cities this August, collectively entitled No Name #1: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Elliott Smith. According to the press release, the event is being billed as a “four-city celebration for charity of Elliott’s incredible music, performed live in concert by his biggest fans and closest friends and collaborators.” The celebrations are going down August 4 through August 10 and correspond with what would have been Smith’s 44th birthday.
Kinda awesome and inspiring, right? And not only that, but this is going to be big, man. I’m talking over 100 musicians and artists gathering in Portland (August 4), Los Angeles (August 6), Austin (August 9), and New York City (August 10) to “play the songs that thrilled, comforted, inspired, and made the pre-smartphone generation feel a little less alone.” And on top of that, each event will benefit a specific local charity in that City and will feature the illustrious likes of Grandaddy, Gus Van Sant, Jon Brion, Rhett Miller, Chris Thile, and “dozens of other very special guests.” Sounds like a triple-win to me, right? Tickets are on sale now. For more info, click here. Come on, we can do this, friend! We’re gonna make it! Give me a huuuuuug! Okay; not really. But still. Yay!
No Name #1: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Elliott Smith dates:
08.04.13 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge (benefiting Outside In) *
08.06.13 - Los Angeles, CA - Largo (benefiting Free Arts for Abused Children) #
08.09.13 - Austin, TX - Scottish Rite Theater (benefiting the SIMS Foundation) %
08.10.13 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom (benefiting New Alternatives for LBGT Homeless Youth) $
* Gus Van Sant, members of Grandaddy, special guests
# Jon Brion, special guests
% Jody Denberg, members of Grandaddy, Lil’ Cap’n Travis, David Garza, special guests
$ Rhett Miller, Chris Thile, Mary Lou Lord, special guests
• Elliott Smith: http://www.sweetadeline.net
• Friends and Family of Elliott Smith: https://www.facebook.com/nonamenumberone
More about: Elliott Smith, Grandaddy
