Nell Smith, a talented young musician who worked with the Flaming Lips, has passed away at 17.
Simon Raymonde from the Cocteau Twins and Bella Union confirmed her death on Instagram. He said they are all heartbroken and can’t say more right now because they want to respect Nell’s family as they mourn.
At a Flaming Lips concert in Portland, Wayne Coyne shared that she died in a car crash but didn’t give more details. "We are reminded once again of the power of music and how encouraging it can be to be around people that you love," he added during the show.
Sometimes, we feel sad when young dreams are cut short.
Nell, originally from the UK but raised in Canada, met the Flaming Lips at a concert when she was 12, dressed in a parrot costume. Coyne noticed her and stayed in touch as she learned guitar and songwriting.
During the pandemic, they remotely recorded Nick Cave covers. She sent her tracks to the band, who added their music. This became the album Where the Viaduct Looms, released when she was just 14.
Afterward, Nell focused on her own music, launching a Kickstarter to fund her debut album. “I have always loved music,†she said. “Seeing them come to life is really exciting.â€
She hoped this album would help her achieve her dream of attending music school in the UK.
Raymonde mentioned that her first solo album was planned for early 2025, recorded in Brighton with Jack and Lily Wolter.
