Canadian singer-songwriter Nell Smith dead at 17
Nell Smith, a rising star within Canadian independent music, has tragically died at the age of 17. The young musician was most noted for her collaboration with The Flaming Lips, which resulted in the 2021 album Where The Viaduct Looms, constructed of Nick Cave cover songs.
The news of Smith’s untimely passing was first broken on social media by Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins fame. Raymonde, who also runs the Bella Union record label, had been working closely with Smith on the production of her anticipated debut album, which was due to be released early next year. Now, it is unknown whether the record will be shared posthumously.
“We are all shocked and devastated to hear of the sudden and tragic passing of our artist and dear friend Nell Smith, over the weekend in British Columbia,” Raymonde wrote on Instagram. “Nell was just 17 and was preparing for the release of her first solo record in early 2025 on Bella Union, made in Brighton with Penelope Isles’ Jack and Lily Wolter.”
Within the initial news of her passing, no cause of death was stated for the 17-year-old. Her grieving parents shared their own statement on social media, writing, “It pains us so much to say that our feisty, talented, unique, beautiful daughter was cruelly taken from us on Saturday night. We are reeling from the news and don’t know what to do or say.”
The parents also added, “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 word and an unfillable chasm in our hearts.” Before concluding, “Hold your kids extra tight tonight and for now please leave us to work through things.”
Smith first burst onto the scene through her collaboration with The Flaming Lips, who began to work with the young musician when she was 14 years old, after noticing her in the front row of multiple concerts, dressed as a parrot. During a live show in Portland, Oregon, on October 7th, the Oklahoma band paid heartfelt tribute to Smith.
Before performing their beloved track ‘Suddenly Everything Has Changed’, Wayne Coyne broke the news of Smith’s passing to the audience, revealing that “she was killed in a car accident” the night prior. “We are reminded once again of the power of music and how encouraging it can be to be around people that you love,” the band shared.
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