Nell Smith, a 17-year-old musician, was a prominent member of the rock band Flaming Lips. The singer collaborated with the band on the Where the Viaduct Looms album. However, the band members grieve for the young talent after a deadly accident on the road.
Hailing from Leeds, UK, Nell Smith was a longtime Flaming Lips fan and met the band’s frontman, Wayne Coyne, after the band’s headline show in Calgary. Coyne immediately recognized her talent and stayed in touch throughout the pandemic.
Moreover, Smith continued to learn guitar and write songs in hopes of collaborating with the band. Luckily, the band offered her a collaboration on the nine-song Nick Cave cover album, featuring her lead singles Girl in Amber and The Ship Song.
Sorry to hear Nell Smith, musician and Flaming Lips collaborator, has died aged just 17, in a traffic accident.
— Peter Guy (@Getintothis) October 7, 2024
A terrible loss. Love to Nell's family, friends and the @bellaunion community. RIP. 🙏💙 pic.twitter.com/qbBh38gDL1
In an interview before the album’s release, Coyne mentioned that he wanted to experiment with the genre and see what would happen with such a young singer. The frontman added, “Nell probably doesn’t know much of Cave’s music, and she might just do something straightforward, heartfelt, and original.“
Listeners well-received her rendition on the album as she toured alongside the band. Previously, Smith developed an interest in music from artists such as Herman Dune, Arcade Fire, The Fleet Foxes, and David Bowie.
Her family and the Flaming Lips members celebrated her talent and confirmed her death at their show in Portland, Oregon. Later, Simon Raymonde shared pictures of the teen while with the band.
Through his caption, the bassist gave homage to the deceased teen as he wrote, “We are all shocked and devastated to hear of the sudden and tragic passing of our artist and dear friend Nell Smith. We are reminded once again of the power of music and how encouraging it can be to be around people that you love.“
Before her accident, Nell Smith was working on a solo album and launched Kickstarter to cover the funds!
The Flaming Lips also mentioned that Smith was working on the music video for her song Split in the Sky, available for pre-order on her website. The singer planned to release a debut album in 2025 and worked on the project with Coyne.
Smith often attended music festivals with her family and experienced live music from age 2. After moving to Canada in 2012, Smith was familiar with the Flaming Lips and initially saw them in Spokane, a live show from the front row with her brother.
Similarly, Coyne considered the band lucky to have crossed paths with Smith as she improved their music-making process. In an emotional speech, the frontman remarked, “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.“
💔 Heartbreaking: 17-year-old musician Nell Smith, who recorded a Nick Cave covers album with The Flaming Lips, has tragically passed away. She’ll be deeply missed. 🕊️ #RIPNellSmith pic.twitter.com/5UET3gJKmi
— TheEntertainmentEdit (@LifeLuxure) October 8, 2024
The Flaming Lips also discussed that they are supporting Smith’s family as much as they can and mentioned their names to the crowd so that they can send their condolence messages as well.
However, the demise of Smith isn’t the only tragedy the band has been dealing with, as the Seattle police have been searching for the teen daughter of Flaming Lips member Charlotte Bowie Drozd.
Steven Drozd, the band’s guitarist, last spotted his 16-year-old daughter on Saturday in the 400 block of Broad Street near the Space Needle. The authorities have released her description for public knowledge.
According to reports, Drozd is 5-foot-7 and weighs approximately 130 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen in the area wearing Khaki shorts and pink shoes.
The band members are circulating missing posters for her, as she may be headed toward downtown Seattle.
In Case You Did Not Know
- Before collaborating with the Flaming Lips, Nell Smith often left letters for the band members on their tour bus to catch their attention.
- Authorities have urged locals with any information on Charlotte Drozd’s whereabouts to contact the Seattle police hotline at 206-625-5011 or call her mother, Becky.
