EPISODE · Jul 27, 2025 · 2H 36M
Elliott Smith with Rory Phillips
from Tonight's Musical Guest, Today · host Tonight's Musical Guest, Today
While coming up in the Portland post-punk scene, this singer/songwriter recorded a batch of lo-fi acoustic demos on a whim. What followed was a once-in-a-generation rise and fall fueled by some of the most beautiful songwriting of the past 30 years. It's ELLIOTT SMITH week!Returning to the show is pod-favorite and fellow Texan Rory Phillips (The Impossibles, Slowreader, The Stereo)! Rory and the guys discuss the upcoming Slowreader reunion shows before diving into the incredible music and turbulent life of Elliott. Clip one is likely the most surreal ever on the show, with Elliott somehow ending up on a zany 90s morning show hosted by Tom Bergeron and a puppet. Good Will Hunting changes everything with an Oscars performance that defines his public persona for the rest of his life. And full band performances on SNL, Conan, and Letterman capture the power poppier side of Elliott. Want to watch along with us? Check out the links below for the performances discussed this week!Clementine, 7/28/1995 on Breakfast TimeMiss Misery, 3/5/1998 on MTV Live with Carson DalyMiss Misery, 3/23/1998 on The OscarsWaltz #2 (XO), 8/20/1998 on Much Music CanadaWaltz #2 (XO), 10/17/1998 on Saturday Night LiveSon of Sam, 4/21/2000 on Late Night with Conan O'BrienStupidity Tries, 7/21/2000 on The Late Show with David LettermanCheck out Rory and Slowreader at their upcoming reunion shows in Austin, TX!
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Elliott Smith with Rory Phillips
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