The Flaming Lips Collaborator Nell Smith Dies at 17
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The talented young musician and singer, known for her collaboration with The Flaming Lips, passed away tragically at the age of 17 after involved in a car accident.

AceShowbiz - Nell Smith, the 17-year-old musician who endeared herself to fans and musical legends alike, has tragically passed away. Smith, who famously collaborated with The Flaming Lips when she was just 14, died in a car accident on Sunday, October 6, in British Columbia. Her death was initially announced by Simon Raymonde of the Cocteau Twins, who heads the Bella Union record label.

"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 on Instagram. He added that Smith was preparing for the release of her first solo album in early 2025, created with the help of Jack Wolter and Lily Wolter of Penelope Isles.

Smith first caught the eye of The Flaming Lips' frontman Wayne Coyne when her parents took her to one of their concerts in 2018 in Calgary. Dressed in a parrot costume, the 12-year-old stood out, and Coyne stayed in touch with the budding musician. This relationship eventually led to their collaborative album of Nick Cave covers, "Where the Viaduct Looms", released in November 2021.

The connection she forged with The Flaming Lips was both professional and deeply heartfelt. At their Portland concert on October 7, Coyne paid tribute to Smith, sharing the news of her death with attendees. "We have a very sad announcement to make tonight. We have a Canadian friend, her name is Nell. We got some very sad messages today that she was killed in a car accident last night and we're reminded once again of the power of music," Coyne said through tears.

Smith's family also shared their grief on Instagram, writing, "It pains us so much to say that our feisty, 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 had so much more to experience and to give this world but we are grateful that she got to experience so very much in her 17 years. She has left an indelible mark on the word and an unfillable chasm in our hearts."

Beyond her collaborations, Smith was keen to pursue a career in music independently. She launched a successful Kickstarter campaign, raising over $17,000 for her debut solo album's production. "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 wrote during her campaign.

Her promising future was tragically cut short, but her music and spirit continue to inspire. As the world remembers Nell Smith, her story reminds us of the fragile beauty of life and the uniting power of music.

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