Music fans worldwide are mourning the sudden death of Canadian music prodigy Nell Smith, who tragically passed away at the age of 17. Known for her collaborations with The Flaming Lips, Smith was on the brink of releasing her debut album next year. The news of her untimely death was confirmed by Simon Raymonde, bassist/keyboardist for the Cocteau Twins and head of Bella Union, the label behind Smith’s upcoming album.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Raymonde expressed shock and devastation at Smith’s passing, which occurred over the weekend in British Columbia. The exact cause of her death has not yet been disclosed. At a recent Flaming Lips concert in Portland, Oregon, frontman Wayne Coyne broke the news to the audience, revealing that Smith had died in a car accident. Despite the sombre occasion, Coyne highlighted the power of music and love, urging the crowd to join in singing the band’s song “Suddenly Everything Has Changed.”
Smith’s musical talent was evident from a young age, having recorded an album of Nick Cave cover versions with The Flaming Lips in 2020 when she was just 13 years old. Her upcoming solo album, produced in Brighton with Penelope Isles’ Jack and Lily Wolter, was highly anticipated by fans and the music industry alike. The Bella Union family, including Raymonde, is currently mourning the loss of their talented artist and friend.
As the music world pays tribute to Nell Smith’s remarkable talent and promising career, further details and updates are expected to follow. Stay tuned for more information on this developing story.