Canadian musician Nell Smith, identified for her collaborations with US rock band The Flaming Lips, has died aged 17.
Her demise was confirmed by Simon Raymonde, the previous bassist for the Cocteau Twins and co-founder of her document label Bella Union, on Instagram.
Whereas he didn’t affirm her explanation for demise, The Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne stated throughout a present in Portland, Oregon, on Sunday that she died in a automotive accident.
Sharing footage of Nell, together with time spent together with her youthful brother, with Coyne and writing songs in Canada, Raymonde wrote: “We’re all shocked and devastated to listen to of the sudden and tragic passing of our artist and pricey good friend Nell Smith, over the weekend in British Columbia.
“Nell was simply 17 and was making ready for the discharge of her first solo document in early 2025 on Bella Union, made in Brighton with Penelope Isles’ Jack and Lily Wolter.
“Her first launch was an album of covers of Nick Cave songs recorded with fellow Bella Union artistes The Flaming Lips again in 2021 entitled, “The place The Viaduct Looms”.
“Whereas all of us attempt to come to phrases with the terrible information, and out of respect to Nell’s grieving household, we’re unable to make any additional feedback at the moment. The Bella Union Household.”
Susie Cave, clothier and spouse of musician Nick Cave commented on his submit, writing: “My coronary heart is damaged for stunning Nell and her household.”
Cave’s 15-year-old son, Arthur, died in an unintended fall in 2015.
Wayne Coyne, The Flaming Lips frontman, stated Smith had been killed in a automotive accident. Pic: Ray Garbo/Shutterstock
Abruptly The whole lot Has Modified
Talking on stage on Sunday, Coyne stated the band had “acquired some very unhappy messages” telling them that Nell “was killed in a automotive accident final evening”.
He went on to say: “We’re reminded as soon as once more of the facility of music and the way encouraging it may be to be round folks that you just love,” earlier than asking the gang to assist sing Abruptly The whole lot Has Modified.
Smith had been planning to launch her debut album, that includes her personal authentic songs, subsequent 12 months.
On a Kickstarter web page that had raised over CA$17,000 (£13,000) to place the album collectively, Smith described herself as “a musician from the UK however I reside in Canada today”.
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She stated she hoped the discharge of the document and the next tour would assist fund her “actual dream”, which she stated was to go to music faculty within the UK.
The web page additionally had a photograph of her with The Flaming Lips frontman Coyne and Smith working in a McDonald’s drive-through to boost cash to document her songs.