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Nell Smith, singer who recorded an album of Nick Cave covers with the Flaming Lips, dies at 17

Nell Smith, a talented musician and singer who famously recorded an album of Nick Cave covers with the Flaming Lips and who was working on her debut solo album, died at 17 over the weekend.

Signed by her family, the note, which also featured a carousel of candid shots of Smith, concluded with a reminder and a request for privacy: "Hold your kids extra tight tonight and for now please leave us to work through things. Coyne stayed in touch with the budding musician and her family as she learned guitar and started writing songs, which eventually culminated in them collaborating on the Cave covers album, Where the Viaduct Looms, in November 2021, when she was just 14. Simon Raymonde of the Cocteau Twins also shared his condolences on Monday, revealing that Smith had been working on her debut solo album via his Bella Union record label, set for release sometime next year.

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