British musical prodigy killed in car crash – B.C

A young musical prodigy from British Columbia has died in a car accident.

Nell Smith, 17, of Fernie, recorded several songs with the Grammy-winning band The Flaming Lips. She was also working on new music.

An Instagram post from her parents on Monday said Smith was “cruelly taken away” from them on Saturday.

“We are devastated by the news and don’t know what to do or say,” the post said.

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“She had so much more to experience and give to this world, but we are grateful that she was able to experience so much in her 17 years. It has left an indelible mark on the Word and an unbridgeable chasm in our hearts.”

The Flaming Lips' lead singer and founder Wayne Coyne said during a concert on Sunday that Smith died in a car accident.

The co-founder of Smith's record label Bella Union also paid tribute to the teenager, saying she died in a car accident in British Columbia

“Nell was only 17 and preparing to release her first solo record in early 2025 on Bella Union, which she recorded in Brighton with Jack and Lily Wolter of Penelope Isles,” the post reads.

“Her first release was an album of covers of Nick Cave songs she recorded with Bella Union artists The Flaming Lips in 2021, titled Where The Viaduct Looms.

Smith was just 10 years old when she saw it The flaming lips at a concert in Calgary and later eventually recorded with them.

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