Death of Nell Smith: Music prodigy who worked with The Flaming Lips dies aged 17

Sign up now for Roisin O’Connor’s free weekly newsletter to get the inside scoop on all things music

Get our Hear This Now email for free

Get our Hear This Now email for free

Nell Smith, the Canadian teenage music prodigy known for her collaborations with The Flaming Lips, has died. She was 17.

Smith’s death was confirmed by Cocteau Twins bassist/keyboardist Simon Raymonde on Instagram, as well as the head of Bella Union, the label that was preparing for the release of Smith’s debut album next year.

“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 added: “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.”

A cause of death is not yet known; However, at The Flaming Lips’ show in Portland, Oregon on Sunday (October 6), frontman Wayne Coyne announced Smith’s death, saying she died in a car accident.

“We are reminded once again of the power of music and how empowering it can be to be with the people you love,” Coyne said, before inviting the audience to sing her song “Suddenly Everything Has Changed.” to help out.

Smith recorded an album of covers by Nick Cave entitled Where the viaduct appearswith the psychedelic rock band in 2020 when she was 13 years old.

Susie Cave, the Australian musician’s wife, commented on Raymonde’s post, saying: “My heart is broken for the beautiful Nell and her family.”

A Kickstarter campaign to fund Smith’s debut album has raised over 17,000 Canadian dollars (US$12,481). The fundraiser says Smith was born in the United Kingdom but grew up in Canada.

She wrote on the Kickstarter page: “I hope that the release of the record and subsequent tour will help fund my true dream, which is to attend music school in the UK.”

“I have always loved music and started writing some of the songs that will be on this album when I was 12 years old. It’s really exciting to see them come to life.”

Smith and her family struck up a friendship with Coyne while attending a Flaming Lips show in 2018. Smith was learning to play guitar and wanted to record with the Lips when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Therefore they produced Where the viaduct appears from a distance, with Smith sending her vocals to the US band.