Elliott Smith - Roman Candle

Kill Rock Stars is proud to reissue Roman Candle, Elliott Smith’s first solo album, originally released by Portland’s Cavity Search Records in 1994.

This edition has been newly remastered by Roger Seibel (SAE) and Larry Crane, editor of Tape Op Magazine and archivist for Elliott’s family.

Roman Candle left a lasting impression on Slim Moon, founder of Kill Rock Stars:

“In 1994, I had been asked to join this five-person solo tour called Pop Chord, with Tammy Watson, Carrie Akre, Sean Croghan, and Elliott Smith. The first night, at the Crocodile in Seattle, I didn’t pay much attention—and people talked through Elliott’s set.

Sean Croghan got up next and said, ‘All of you people who just talked through Elliott’s set are bummed, because you just missed something very, very special.’

The next night of the tour, at The Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco, I listened closely to Elliott’s set—and it was one of those life-changing moments. Instead of watching the rest of the performers, I went out to the tour van, popped Roman Candle into the player, and listened to it on endless repeat for the rest of the night and beyond.

It completely blew my mind. I’ve never heard music as heart-wrenchingly, gut-checkingly honest, intimate, and wise—before or since.”