Talented young Canadian singer Nell Smith known for her collaboration with the rock band The Flaming Lips, has tragically passed away at the age of 17. Her …
Her family confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement shared on Instagram on Monday.
“It pains us so much to say that our feisty, talented, unique, beautiful daughter was cruelly taken from us on Saturday night,” the statement read, signed by family members Jude, Rachel, Jed, and Ike. “We are reeling from the news and don’t know what to do or say.
She had so much more to experience and give this world, but we are grateful that she got to experience so much in her 17 years. She has left an indelible mark on the earth and an unfillable chasm in our hearts.”
The family requested privacy to process their grief, concluding with, “Hold your kids extra tight tonight and for now please leave us to work through things. We will shout when we need you.”
While the cause of Smith’s death has yet to be officially confirmed, Wayne Coyne, the lead singer of The Flaming Lips, announced during the band’s concert in Portland, Oregon, that Smith had died in a car accident.
In fan-captured footage from Sunday’s show, Coyne, 63, said, “We have an unfortunate announcement tonight. We have a Canadian friend, her name is Nell… We got some unfortunate messages today that she was killed in a car accident last night, and we’re reminded once again of the power of music.”
Smith was preparing to release her first solo album in early 2025 on the Bella Union label, working alongside Jack and Lily Wolter of Penelope Isles in Brighton, England.
Her debut record had been highly anticipated following her collaboration with The Flaming Lips on the 2021 cover album Where the Viaduct Looms, featuring renditions of songs by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
Nick Cave himself praised Smith’s work, particularly her cover of “Girl in Amber.” In a post on The Red Hand Files in 2021, Cave wrote, “This version of Girl in Amber is just lovely.
I would say Nell Smith inhabits the song, but that’s wrong. Instead, she vacates the song in a way I could never do. Nell shows a remarkable understanding of the song, a sense of beautiful and chilling dispassion. I love it. I’m a fan.”
Smith’s musical journey began at age 12 when she attended a Flaming Lips concert in 2018 and formed a bond with Coyne. This connection eventually led to their collaboration on Where the Viaduct Looms.
Beyond her work with the band, Smith was also focused on her solo career and launched a Kickstarter campaign in 2022 to fund her debut album. The campaign raised over $17,000, surpassing its $10,000 goal.
Smith expressed her passion for music and excitement about her upcoming album in her Kickstarter message.
“I have always loved music and started writing some of the songs that will be on this album when I was 12. Seeing them come to life is exciting,” she wrote.
Smith also mentioned her hope that the album’s success and a potential tour would help fund her dream of attending music school in the UK.
As the music world mourns the loss of such a young and promising artist, tributes are pouring in from fans and fellow musicians alike. Further details regarding Smith’s death and memorial plans have yet to be released.
