Nell Smith, who notably collaborated with the Flaming Lips, was preparing to release her first solo album next year.
Nell Smith, a young musician whose talents allowed her to collaborate with the Flaming Lips, has died. She was 17 years old. His death was confirmed via Instagram by Simon Raymonde, bassist-keyboardist of the Cocteau Twins, as well as by the head of Bella Union, the label which was preparing to release his first album next year.
“ We are all shocked and devastated to learn of the sudden and tragic passing of our artist and dear friend Nell Smith this weekend in British Columbiawrote Simon Raymonde. While we all try to come to terms with this terrible news, and out of respect for Nell's grieving family, we are unable to make any further comment at this time. »
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No cause of death was given. However, during the Flaming Lips concert in Portland, Oregon, singer Wayne Coyne announced Nell Smith's death, stating that she had died in a car accident. “ We are reminded once again of the power of music and how encouraging it is to be surrounded by people you love said Coyne, before launching into a rendition of “ Suddenly Everything Has Changed “.
Nell Smith was born in the United Kingdom but raised in Canada. She struck up an unlikely friendship with the Flaming Lips after her parents took her to one of the band's concerts and Coyne noticed the girl, then 12, dressed in a parrot costume at the first rank. Wayne Coyne stayed in touch with her and her father while the latter learned to play guitar and write her own songs.
Eventually, during the pandemic, they came up with the idea of recording a Nick Cave cover album remotely. Nell Smith made the first recordings, then sent the files to the Flaming Lips, who added their instruments. The album, Where the Viaduct Looms, was released in November 2021 (Smith was 14 at the time).
After Where the Viaduct Looms, Nell Smith began to focus on her own music. She launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund her first album of original music and ultimately reached her goal. At the time, she said of the album: “ I've 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 hoped the album and subsequent tour would help finance her ” real dream, which is to join a music school in the United Kingdom “.
