TEENAGE musician Nell Smith has died in a car crash.
The seventeen-year-old was best known for her collaboration with The Flaming Lips.
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Nell Smith died at the age of 17 Credit: Getty
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Smith was set to release her debut album next yearCredit: Instagram
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The Flaming Lips singer Wayne Coyne with Smith Credit: Instagram
Smith was due to release her debut album next year.
Her death was confirmed over the weekend by Cocteau Twins’ Simon Raymonde.
His label Bella Union has signed the Canadian music prodigy.
Raymonde wrote on social media: “We are all shocked and devastated by the news of the sudden and tragic death of our artist and dear friend, Nell Smith, over the weekend in British Columbia.
“Nell was just 17 and preparing to release her first solo record in early 2025 for Bella Union, recorded in Brighton with Jack and Lily Wolter of Penelope Isles.”
The Flaming Lips singer Wayne Coyne paid tribute to the young star during their show in Poland on Monday night.
He told the crowd that she “died in a traffic accident.”
Choking back tears, he said: “Tonight we have very sad news.
“We have a Canadian friend, her name is Nell.
“Three years ago we recorded an amazing album with her, an album full of Nick Cave songs.
“Today we have sad messages – last night (October 6) she died in a traffic accident.
“Once again we are reminded of the power of music and how encouraging it can be to be in the company of the people you love.”
Smith has been working on her debut album, which was due to be released in “early 2025”.
It is not clear if it will be published posthumously.
In a moving tribute, Smith’s family said: “It pains us so much to say that our spirited, talented, unique, beautiful daughter was cruelly taken from us on Saturday night.
“We are reeling from the news and don’t know what to do or say.
“She still had a lot to experience and give to this world, but we are grateful that she experienced so much in her 17 years.
“She left an indelible mark on the world and an unfillable chasm in our hearts.
“Hold your children tight tonight and leave us to sort things out for now.
— We will shout when we need you.
At the age of 14, Smith recorded an album of Nick Cave covers.
She sent the album – titled Where The Viaduct Looms – to The Flaming Lips who provided further instruments on the album.
It was published in November 2021.
Smith built a relationship with the group after being dressed as a parrot in the front row at several of their concerts at the age of 12.
They later met and stayed in touch during the pandemic, when Smith took advantage of the lockdown to record an album.
After the release of the first single from the album, a cover of the song Girl In Amber, Cave himself praised it.
He said: “This version of ‘Girl in Amber’ is just lovely, I was going to say Nell Smith inhabits the song but that’s wrong, rather she leaves song, in a way that I never could.
“Nell shows a remarkable understanding of the song, a sense of indifference that is both beautiful and terrifying. I just love her. I’m a fan.”
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