Nell Smith, a rising musician known for her collaborations with the Flaming Lips, has died. She was 17.
A cause of death has yet to be revealed but during the the psychedelic rock band’s concert on Sunday in Portland, Ore., frontman Wayne Coyne shared the sad news: “We got some very sad messages today that she was killed in a car accident last night, and we’re reminded once again of the power of music.”
The Canadian singer’s family confirmed her death in an Instagram comment 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 post stated. “We are reeling from the news and don’t know what to do or say.”
The family continued: “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. Jude, Rachel, Jed and Ike x.”
Smith was set to release her debut solo album on the Bella Union record label in 2025. The album was to be a follow-up to her 2021 collaboration wit the Flaming Lips on an album of Nick Cave covers, titled “Where the Viaduct Looms.”
The record company’s cofounder Simon Raymonde, the former bassist for the Cocteau Twins, wrote on Instagram about being “shocked and devastated to hear of the sudden and tragic passing of our artist and dear friend.”
The teen prodigy, who developed a friendship with the Flaming Lips in 2018, was set to record with the group when the COVID-19 pandemic put the world on lockdown. The “She Don’t Use Jelly” rockers went on to produce the project remotely.
