Nell Smith was a singer known for her 2021 collaboration with the Flaming Lips, released when she was just 14 years old.
- Died: October 5, 2024 (Who else died on October 5?)
- Details of death: Died of injuries sustained in a car accident at the age of 17.
- We invite you to share condolences for Nell Smith in our Guest Book.
Nell Smith’s legacy
Born in England and raised in British Columbia, Smith became a fan of the Flaming Lips from a young age. Her father took her to her first Flaming Lips show when she was only 10 years old, and they kept going back. The band’s concerts are elaborate affairs, and many fans dress in lavish costumes, so when Smith attended dressed as a parrot, the only thing unusual about her was her age. She caught singer Wayne Coyne’s eye as she sang along with the band’s songs from the front row, and he struck up a friendship with Smith and her father.
Within a short time, that friendship turned to collaboration. Already interested in making music, Smith shared her creative output with Coyne. He invited the Smith family to record with the band in their home base of Oklahoma City, but the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the plan. Instead, Coyne asked Smith to listen to the music of Nick Cave – she was previously unfamiliar with the Australian singer – and record some vocal tracks for cover versions. The Flaming Lips then backed her vocals and released the late 2021 album, “Where the Viaduct Looms.” Cave himself praised Smith’s vocals, writing on his website that she “shows a remarkable understanding” of his music.
The experience encouraged Smith to record her own solo work, and in 2023, she raised money via Kickstarter to make her debut solo album of original songs. It was expected to be released in 2025.
Notable quote
“Not being able to go out [during COVID], being locked down, it’s been a really interesting and tough year. But I think working with the Flaming Lips has made it a very memorable year of my life. I think it’s been a really, really lucky experience.” —from a 2020 interview for CBC
Tributes to Nell Smith
Full obituary: Los Angeles Times
