Nell Smith, singer who recorded an album of Nick Cave covers with the Flaming Lips, has died aged 17

At the time of her death, Smith was working on her debut solo album.

Nell Smith, a talented musician and singer who famously recorded an album of Nick Cave covers with The Flaming Lips and was working on her debut solo album, died on Saturday. She was 17.

Smith’s family shared the news in a post on their official Instagram account on Monday, writing: “It pains us so much to say that our vibrant, talented, unique, beautiful daughter was cruelly taken from us on Saturday evening. “

The post continued: “We are devastated by the news and don’t know what to do or say. She had so much more to experience and give to this world, but we are grateful that she was able to experience so much in her 17 years.” . It has left an indelible mark on the Word and an unbridgeable chasm in our hearts.”

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The note signed by her family, which also included a carousel of snapshots of Smith, ended with a reminder and a request for privacy: “Hold your children extra tight tonight and please let us work through things for now.” We will scream” when we need you.

Smith was a big fan of The Flaming Lips and met the band’s frontman, Wayne Coyne, after her parents took her to their show in Calgary in 2018 Consequence of the sound. Coyne stayed in touch with the budding musician and her family as she learned guitar and began writing songs, eventually culminating in collaboration on the Cave covers album Cave. Where the viaduct appearsin November 2021, when she was just 14 years old.

Coyne paid tribute to Smith onstage at the Lips’ show in Portland on Sunday, telling the audience that they had “received very sad news that she had died in a car accident.” “We are once again reminded of the power of music and how empowering it can be to be with the people you love,” he said, visibly choking up before performing the band’s next song.

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Simon Raymonde of the Cocteau Twins also expressed his condolences on Monday, revealing that Smith has been working on her debut solo album through his record label Bella Union, due out sometime next year.

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“We are all shocked and devastated to learn of the sudden and tragic death of our artist and dear friend Nell Smith over the weekend in British Columbia,” Raymonde wrote. “Nell was only 17 and preparing to release her first solo record in early 2025 on Bella Union, recorded in Brighton with Jack and Lily Wolter of Penelope Isles.”

He concluded: “Whilst we are all trying to come to terms with the terrible news, and out of respect for Nell’s grieving family, we are unable to make any further comment at this time. The Bella Union Family.”

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.