Very sad news today as musical prodigy Nell Smith, known for her work on The Flaming Lips’ album Where the Viaduct Looms, has died at 17 years of age.

The news of her death was first announced by Simon Raymonde of the Cocteau Twins‘, whose label, Bella Union, had signed Smith, and was due to release her highly-anticipated album in 2025.

Raymonde wrote on social media: ‘We are all shocked and devastated to hear of the sudden and tragic passing of our artist and dear friend Nell Smith, over the weekend in British Columbia. Nell was just 17 and was preparing for the release of her first solo record in early 2025 on Bella Union, made in Brighton with Penelope Isles’ Jack and Lily Wolter.’

It was later revealed by the The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne that Nell Smith was killed in a car accident and was in Canada at the time. Here’s a photo of Wayne with Nell:

Wayne shared the devastating news of Nell’s death to the audience at The Flaming Lips October 7 show in Portland, Oregon.

He said: ‘We have a very sad announcement to make tonight. We have a Canadian friend, her name is Nell. We recorded an amazing album with her three years ago, an album full of songs by Nick Cave. We have some very sad messages today – she was killed in a car accident last night (October 6). We are reminded once again of the power of music and how encouraging it can be to be around people that you love.’

Just beyond tragic. Nell Smith first worked with The Flaming Lips in 2019 at just 14 years old. A huge fan of the band, she would attend their gigs in a parrot costume until the band noticed her, and eventually became friends with them and they began working on music together.

Nell recorded a Nick Cave cover album in 2021 and shared it with the band, who loved it so much they added additional instruments to the album. Where the Viaduct Looms was released in November 2021. Here’s one of the tracks from that album:

Smith’s family have also confirmed her death. They wrote on social media: ‘It pains us so much to say that our feisty, talented, unique, beautiful daughter was cruelly taken from us on Saturday night. We are reeling from the news and don’t know what to do or say. She had so much more to experience and to give this world but we are grateful that she got to experience so very much in her 17 years. She has left an indelible mark on the word and an unfillable chasm in our hearts. Hold your kids extra tight tonight and for now please leave us to work through things. We will shout when we need you.’

Nick Cave was also a big fan of Nell Smith and heavily endorsed her covers of his songs. When Nell released a cover of his song Girl in Amber, Cave said: ‘This version of Girl in Amber is just lovely, I was going to say Nell Smith inhabits the song, but that’s wrong, rather she vacates the song, in a way that I could never do. Nell shows a remarkable understanding of the song, a sense of dispassion that is both beautiful and chilling. I just love it. I’m a fan.’

A heartbreaking loss for Nell’s friends and family, but also for the music world that has lost an unbelievable talent who had so much potential. Here’s hoping the Nell Smith album will be released as planned in early 2025, though it remains to be seen for now.

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