Nell Smith, the younger musician whose skills led to a collaboration with the Flaming Lips, has died. She was 17.
Smith’s dying was confirmed through Instagram by Simon Raymonde, bassist/keyboardist for the Cocteau Twins, in addition to the top of Bella Union, the label that was making ready to launch Smith’s debut album subsequent yr.
“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,” Raymonde wrote, including: “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.”
No reason behind dying was given, although eventually night time’s Flaming Lips present in Portland, Oregon, frontman Wayne Coyne announced Smith’s death and mentioned she died in a automotive accident.
“We are reminded once again of the power of music and how encouraging it can be to be around people that you love,” Coyne mentioned, earlier than asking the group to assist out the Lips throughout their efficiency of “Suddenly Everything Has Changed.”
Smith was born within the U.Okay. however grew up in Canada. She struck up an unlikely friendship and collaborative relationship with the Flaming Lips after her dad and mom took her to one of many band’s live shows and Coyne saved noticing the then 12 yr outdated wearing a parrot costume within the entrance row. Coyne saved in contact with Smith and her father as Smith realized to play guitar and write her personal songs.
Eventually, throughout the pandemic, they got here up with the concept to remotely file an album of Nick Cave covers. Smith laid down the preliminary recordings, then despatched the recordsdata to the Lips, who offered the backing instrumentation. The file, Where the Viaduct Looms, was launched in November 2021 (Smith was 14 on the time).
After Where the Viaduct Looms, Smith started to concentrate on her personal music. She launched a Kickstarter marketing campaign to assist her fund her debut album of unique materials and finally reached her marketing campaign purpose. At the time, Smith mentioned of the file, “I have always loved music and started writing some of the songs that will be on this album when I was 12, seeing them come to life is really exciting.”
She additionally mentioned she hoped the album, and a subsequent tour, would assist fund her “real dream, which is to get to music school in the U.K.”
In his assertion, Raymonde shared just a few extra particulars concerning the album: “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.”
