Conversation so far:
What was the band Elliott Smith formed with his classmates?
While at Hampshire, Elliott Smith formed the band Heatmiser with classmate Neil Gust.
Where did Elliot Smith work after graduation?
After Elliott Smith graduated, he worked in a bakery back in Portland with a bachelor's degree in philosophy and legal theory.
What kind of odd jobs did Elliot Smith have?
Around this time, Elliott Smith and Gust worked a number of odd jobs around Portland, including installing drywall, spreading gravel, and transplanting bamboo trees.
Did Elliot Smith have a solo career while still in Heatmiser?
Smith had begun his solo career while still in Heatmiser, and the success of his first two releases created distance and tension with his band.

Question: what company bought the contract before his 4th album?
Self-contained rewrite: What company bought the contract before Elliot Smith's 4th album?