Nell Smith, a Flaming Lips collaborator and rising Canadian singer-songwriter, has died at the age of 17. While no cause of death has been formally released, The Flaming Lips member Wayne Coyne shared with the crowd at their latest show in Portland on October 7 that she was killed in a car accident. Her death was announced beforehand via Cocteau Twins’ Simon Raymonde’s social media post on October 7 where he wrote: “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. 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,” (NME). Nell Smith’s family released their own statement as well saying that the loss of Smith was “cruel” and that she was “feisty, talented, unique, and beautiful daughter” and that they’re left without words and “don’t know what to do or say,” (NME).

The death comes at a shock to her family, friends and musical peers as she was set to release her debut solo album in 2025 through Bella Union. It’s unknown what is to happen with her work at this time. Smith worked on the 2021 album with The Flaming Lips titled Where The Viaduct Looms, a Nick Cave’s cover album, where she’s featured as the main singer throughout the album’s entirety. Smith piqued the interest of the psychedelic rock band back in 2019 when she was just 12 years old, dressed as a parrot in the crowd alongside her parents at one of their concerts. Clearly leaving her mark on the indie rock group, they kept in touch and discussed the start of the 2021 cover album which she recorded at the age of 14.

Read more on Nell Smith and her work with The Flaming Lips on their cover of “The Ship Song”, and their multiple music videos together for their song covers such as “We Know Who You Are”, “Red Right Hand” and “The Weeping Song”. Read all about her start with The Flaming Lips here.