Nell Smith: Flaming Lips protege, 17, killed in car crash

Canadian musician Nell Smith, known for her collaborations with US rock band The Flaming Lips, has died aged 17.

Her death was confirmed by Simon Raymonde, the former bassist for the Cocteau Twins and co-founder of her record label Bella Union, on Instagram.

While he did not confirm her cause of death, The Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne said during a show in Portland, Oregon, on Sunday that she died in a car accident.

Sharing pictures of Nell, including time spent with her younger brother, with Coyne and writing songs in Canada, Raymonde wrote: “We are all shocked and devastated to hear of the sudden and tragic passing of our artist and dear friend Nell Smith, over the weekend in British Columbia.

“Nell was just 17 and was preparing for the release of her first solo record in early 2025 on Bella Union, made in Brighton with Penelope Isles’ Jack and Lily Wolter.

“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. The Bella Union Family.”

Susie Cave, fashion designer and wife of musician Nick Cave commented on his post, writing: “My heart is broken for beautiful Nell and her family.”

Cave’s 15-year-old son, Arthur, died in an accidental fall in 2015.

Suddenly Everything Has Changed

Speaking on stage on Sunday, Coyne said the band had “got some very sad messages” telling them that Nell “was killed in a car accident last night”.

He went on to say: “We are reminded once again of the power of music and how encouraging it can be to be around people that you love,” before asking the crowd to help sing Suddenly Everything Has Changed.

Smith had been planning to release her debut album, featuring her own original songs, next year.

On a Kickstarter page that had raised over CA$17,000 (£13,000) to put the album together, Smith described herself as “a musician from the UK but I live in Canada these days”.

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She said she hoped the release of the record and the subsequent tour would help fund her “real dream”, which she said was to go to music school in the UK.

The page also had a photo of her with The Flaming Lips frontman Coyne and Smith working in a McDonald’s drive-through to raise money to record her songs.