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Nell Smith, Musical Prodigy Who Collaborated With the Flaming Lips, Dead at 17

Nell Smith, the talented young musician who recorded an album of Nick Cave covers with the Flaming Lips, has died at the age of 17.

The young musician was preparing to release her debut solo album next year on Bella Union, the label run by the Cocteau Twins' Simon Raymonde She struck up an unlikely friendship and collaborative relationship with the Flaming Lips after her parents took her to one of the band’s concerts and Coyne kept noticing the then 12 year old dressed in a parrot costume in the front row. In his statement, Raymonde shared a few more details about the album: “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.”

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