Singer Will Cullen Hart, founder of the Elephant 6 record company and the founding member of The Olivia Tremor Control band, passed away at the age of 53 on November 29, 2024, due to a heart attack. The Apples in Stereo frontman Robert Schneider confirmed the news of his death through a Facebook post. Schneider wrote,
“I am deeply heartbroken on this day of celebration of a new Olivia Tremor Control release, to announce that my dear friend and Elephant 6 Recording Co. co-founder, W. Cullen Hart (Will to his friends), passed away this morning of natural causes, suddenly, peacefully, and in a very happy mood around the release of the two new OTC songs.”
He also shared that Will Cullen Hart had battled multiple sclerosis for nearly two decades, a condition that progressively limited his mobility, guitar playing, and ability to tour. Despite these challenges, he remained highly productive and continued to write songs, record music, and create art, embracing a deeply creative life.
Will Cullen Hart was born in Athens in 1971. He spent his childhood in Rustin, Louisiana, alongside Schneider and fellow Elephant 6 members Bill Doss and Jeff Mangum.
In 1993, Hart co-founded Olivia Tremor Control with Doss, releasing two albums, Dusk at Cubist Castle in 1996 and Black Foliage in 1999. The group disbanded in 2000 but officially reunited in 2009 after Hart was hospitalized for multiple sclerosis.
His Elephant 6 Recording Company started in Ruston, Louisiana, in the 1980s but later expanded to Athens, Georgia, and Denver. It included bands like Neutral Milk Hotel, Apples In Stereo, of Montreal, and others.
Will Cullen Hart’s last album, Mosaics Within Mosaics,
was released in 2014
Circulatory System's final album with Will Cullen Hart, Mosaics Within Mosaics, was released in 2014. That year also saw the announcement of the Elephant 6 documentary, which later premiered widely in 2022 as A Future History Of: The Elephant 6 Recording Co.
In his eulogy for Hart, Robert Schneider highlighted his boundless creativity, humor, and the love shared within the Elephant 6 and Athens communities. He reflected on their friendship and pledged to help complete Hart's unfinished work while cherishing his artistic legacy. He wrote,
“My dear friend, my brother, my co-conspirator, my E6 co-founder, I have always loved you and will always love you with the same intensity I had when we were young."
He continued,
"You were so amazing, I can’t even believe you existed. I will miss your love and your humor and your energy and your brilliance forever. I will endeavor to help your bandmates finish your work, and I will forever be grateful for your friendship and your love.”
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Schneider shared that Olivia Tremor Control planned to release new music following Bill Doss's passing. The recording process, involving the full band and additional support from Craig Morris, was emotionally significant but challenging due to grief and logistical hurdles.
He described the release as a testament to Will Cullen Hart’s dedication, resilience through multiple sclerosis, and commitment to the shared vision he had with Doss, marking it as a moment of triumph.
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