R.I.P. Bill Doss

photo by Charline Tetiyevsky

Elephant 6 co-founder and Olivia Tremor Control member Bill Doss passed away yesterday at the age of 43. The tragic news comes from the Athens-based magazine Flagpole, who also report that a cause of death is still being investigated. Doss left an immense legacy in his wake as one of the prominent creative forces behind Athens psych rockers Olivia Tremor Control and their classic contributions to the indie rock canon, Dusk at Cubist Castle and Black Foliage: Animation Music. Before launching Elephant 6 in Athens, Doss had grown up in Dubach, Louisiana where he befriended future bandmate and close collaborator Will Cullen Hart, as well as Elephant 6 co-founders Robert Schneider of Apples in Stereo and Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel. Prior to Doss' passing, OTC had been working on a new album and had been performing live again. They had posted a few words on the official band site:

"We are devastated by the loss of our brother Bill Doss. We are at a loss for words."

Rest in peace, Bill.