Tragic Death of Teenage Musician Nell Smith, Collaborator with Flaming Lips

Nell Smith, a teenage musician from British Columbia known for her collaboration with the Grammy Award-winning band The Flaming Lips, has passed away at the age of 17. The tragic news was shared by her family on Smith’s verified Instagram account and later confirmed by CBC News.

Smith’s family expressed their profound sorrow in a social media post, stating, “It pains us so much to say that our feisty, talented, unique, beautiful daughter was cruelly taken from us on Saturday night.” They described her as having left “an indelible mark on the world and an unfillable chasm in our hearts.”

Tributes have been pouring in for the young artist, who hailed from Fernie, a small mountain town in the southeastern part of British Columbia. Known for her vibrant personality and distinctive parrot costume, Smith caught the attention of Wayne Coyne, the lead singer of The Flaming Lips, at a concert when she was just 10 years old. This chance encounter led to a fruitful musical collaboration that included recording the album “Where the Viaduct Looms,” featuring covers of Nick Cave songs.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith communicated with the band remotely, sending her vocal recordings for the project. Coyne had encouraged the young artist to record covers of Nick Cave‘s songs, an artist she was not initially familiar with, to allow her creativity to flow without preconceived notions. The result was a nine-track album released in 2021, which gained critical acclaim.

Smith’s musical talent was widely recognized, drawing praise from Nick Cave himself. He lauded her emotional rendition of “Girl in Amber,” highlighting her “remarkable understanding of the song.” Her developing career showed promise, with plans for a debut solo album scheduled for release in 2025 under the Bella Union label.

The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne acknowledged Smith’s untimely passing during a performance in Portland, Oregon, stating she had died in a car accident, although CBC News has not yet confirmed this independently. During the announcement, Coyne expressed the band’s condolences, emphasizing the comforting power of music and the importance of companionship.

Smith’s upcoming solo album was being co-produced by the Fernie-based band Shred Kelly, who described her as “incredibly creative, talented, funny and kind.” Her family is currently seeking privacy to cope with the loss.