Who was Nell Smith and what happened to her? Flaming Lips collaborator and teen musical prodigy dies aged 17 

Canadian musical prodigy Nell Smith has passed away at the age of 17. News of her passing was confirmed by her family and Sumon Raymonde, the keyboardist of the Cocteau Twins band, on Instagram on October 8. The cause of death remained unknown at the time of writing this article.

While sharing a series of images of Nell Smith in an Instagram carousel, her family said in a statement:

“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 do say.”

The family stated that she “has left an indelible mark on the world and an unfillable chasm in our hearts.” They then requested followers to allow them to grieve in private.

Simone Raymonde, the head of Bella Union, the label that was preparing to release Nell Smith’s upcoming album, also shared that Smith’s upcoming album was to be released with Penelope Isles’ Jack and Lily Wolter. The tributary post read:

“Her first release was an album of covers of Nick Cave songs recorded with fellow Bella Union artistes The Flaming Lips back in 2021 entitled, “Where The Viaduct Looms.” While we all try and come to terms with the awful news, and out of respect to Nell’s grieving family, we are unable to make any further comments at this time.”

Although the official cause of death was not announced at the time of writing this article, The Flaming Lips’ frontman Wayne Coyne said on Sunday, October 6, during a Portland, Oregon, show that she died in a car accident. He also said:

“We are reminded once again of the power of music and how encouraging it can be to be around people that you love. Suddenly Everything Has Changed.”

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More about Nell Smith as musician passes away

Nell Smith was a major fan of the Flaming Lips and met Wayne Coyne after her parents took her to their 2018 Calgary show. She stayed in touch with the band, and as she learned to play the guitar and write songs, she eventually collaborated with them, at the young age of 13.

In an interview with Consequence, Coyne said:

“I think Nell and I just wanted to start to make some music and see what would happen. Doing cover songs is a fun way, in the very beginning, to get things rolling along. I picked Nick Cave, ‘cause I love him music and lyrics, and I thought, ‘Nell probably doesn’t know very much of his music, and she might (because she has NO preconceived notions) just do something very simple, heartfelt and original.’ And… SHE DID!!”

After Nell Smith created her own rendition of Nick Cave’s Girl In Amber song, Cave shared his love for the version and stated that she does not inhabit the song but “rather she vacates the song, in a way that I could never do.” Cave added:

“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 Kickstarter was created for Nell Smith in hopes of the money helping her release her debut album and also get into a music school in the UK. The page had amassed over $12000.

It remains unclear if her debut album would be released posthumously at the time of writing this article.