The world of music is in mourning today with the heartbreaking news of Nell Smith’s untimely passing. This talented young Canadian singer, known for her collaboration with The Flaming Lips, left us at the tender age of 17.
In a heartfelt Instagram statement, her family shared the devastating news. “It pains us so much to say that our feisty, talented, unique, beautiful daughter was cruelly taken from us on Saturday night,” expressed her family members Jude, Rachel, Jed, and Ike.
Their statement continued with an outpouring of love and loss: “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 world and an unfillable chasm in our hearts.”
The family urged everyone to hold their loved ones close, saying, “Hold your kids extra tight tonight and for now please leave us to work through things.”
The cause of Nell’s passing has yet to be officially confirmed by her family, though The Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne indicated during a concert in Portland, Oregon, that Nell had tragically lost her life in a car accident. “We have a very sad announcement to make tonight,” Coyne shared with a heavy heart from the stage, “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.”
Simon Raymonde, owner of the Bella Union record label, which was set to release Smith’s debut album in 2025, paid tribute to her on Instagram. “We are all shocked and devastated,” he wrote, mourning the sudden loss of the artist and dear friend.
At just 17, Nell was eagerly preparing for the release of her first solo album. The promising record, crafted alongside Penelope Isles’ Jack and Lily Wolter, was eagerly anticipated by fans and music lovers alike.
Nell’s journey with music began at age 12 when she attended a Flaming Lips concert in 2018, where she bonded with Wayne Coyne. This connection blossomed into a collaboration on “Where the Viaduct Looms,” a 2021 album covering songs by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
Nick Cave himself praised Nell’s rendition of “Girl in Amber.” In 2021, he noted, “This version of Girl in Amber is just lovely… Nell Smith inhabits the song in a way that I could never do.” He admired her deep understanding of the music, offering both beauty and haunting emotion.
Last year, Nell launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund her debut album, successfully raising over $17,000, surpassing her original goal. In her own words, she expressed her lifelong passion for music and her dreams of studying in the UK.
Nell Smith was more than just a gifted musician; she was an inspiration to many. Her dreams were unfolding, and her music promised to touch many lives. Her sudden passing leaves a profound void, but her spirit and artistry live on in our hearts. As we remember Nell, let’s cherish her contributions and hold our loved ones close.
