Elliott Smith's Influence on the Indie Music Scene
Elliott Smith in London | Getty Images
Like many people today, I find myself unable to describe my music taste with a single word. My music taste is composed of numerous genres, different voices, and time periods. One genre I always find myself running back to, however, is Indie music.
When you trace the lineage of modern indie folk and alternative rock, almost every path leads back to Elliott Smith. While the 1990s was dominated by loud grunge and polished alternative pop, Elliott Smith carved out a completely different space including whispery double-tracked vocals and lyrics so honest they felt like diary entries.
Today, his footprints are visible everywhere, from bedroom pop artists recording on their iPhones to stadium filling venues. Smith’s influence is present in various artists across all genres, as seen in the works of Phoebe Bridgers, Adrianne Lenker, Alex G, and even Frank Ocean.
Boygenius wearing suits tributed to Smith at the Grammys | Getty Images
Phoebe Bridgers has never hid away her love for Elliott Smith. From her use of a double-tracked vocal style (a technique Smith popularized to give soft vocals a surreal, floating presence) to her lyrics, his influence is clear in her music. Bridgers' song "Punisher" is an explicit tribute to Smith, written from the perspective of an over eager fan wandering through his old neighborhood in Los Angeles. Additionally, tracks like "Savior Complex" mirror Smith's signature style, lush strings, sudden chord changes, and lyrics that highlight emotional codependency. As a supergroup composed of Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus, Boygenius expands on the groundwork Smith laid out. All three songwriters share a deep reverence for the Indie era.
Adrianne Lenker Shot by Genesis Baez | Pitchfork
Similarly, Lenker discovered Smith in her teenage years, leading her to change her trajectory as an artist.
Smith’s early records, like Roman Candle, proved that home recordings made on his own equipment could still hold immense emotional power. Lenker embraced this exact approach on her solo album entitled Songs, which she recorded in a cabin using analog tape. The audio includes room sounds, fingernails squeaking on guitar strings, overall prioritizing intimacy over a perfect studio tape. Smith's songwriting made space for quiet, intense vulnerability without relying on melodrama. Lenker builds on this foundation by combining deeply personal, almost uncomfortably honest lyrics with poetic descriptions of nature, memory, and relationships.
Overall, Elliott Smith proved that quiet music wasn’t weak. He showed generations of musicians that raw honesty is just as impactful. Decades after his death, his presence lingers in the DNA of contemporary music. It is easy to see why Elliott Smith is an absolute favorite for so many listeners, especially introverts. Smith’s work offers a rare kind of solace, making his discography a comfort for many.
Strike Out,
Sarah Rivera
Miami
Sarah is a political science major at Florida International University writing about pop culture, media, and fashion. Her work breaks down movies, TV shows, and fashion as forms of self-expression. She publishes articles on her personal Substack. Off the page, Sarah stays active by running, discovering new music, thrifting, and working on artsy crafts.
Edited by Samantha Jimenez
