Nell Peggy Cline Smith
July 17, 2007 - October 6, 2024

Posthumous albums can carry a unique weight. But when the voice belongs to a 17-year-old artist just finding her footing, it can be shattering. Nell Smith's Anxious is something more than a tribute to a life cut short. It reveals a strong young woman already chasing something real, capturing the raw thrill and ache of adolescence with startling depth and clarity.

Anxious follows Where The Viaduct Looms (2021), Nell’s debut collaboration with the Flaming Lips. That project reimagined the works of Nick Cave with haunting restraint, a bold introduction to a voice still in its infancy. But Anxious is something else entirely - personal, vulnerable, alive with teenage contradictions. These are Nell’s own songs, shaped by uncertainty, urgency, and the messy beauty of being young.

The story began in 2018, when 12-year-old Nell met Wayne Coyne at the Flaming Lips’ headlining set at Calgary’s Sled Island Festival. Sitting with her brother in the front row wearing a parrot costume, she sang along like any well-seasoned fan four times her age would. Coyne took notice. That night, he leaned into the crowd and sang Bowie’s “Space Oddity” directly to her. Nell sang every word along with him.

A connection sparked. Coyne stayed in touch with Nell and her father as she learned guitar and began writing songs of her own. When a planned trip to record in Oklahoma was derailed by the pandemic, Coyne pivoted, suggesting she tackle Nick Cave songs from home. He chose Cave deliberately, thinking Nell’s unfamiliarity would bring a fresh emotional perspective. He wasn’t wrong.

But it was in Bella Union’s recording studio that Nell’s true voice emerged. At just 15, she poured herself into the sessions with producers Jack and Lily Wolter. Seemingly endless snacks and late-night runs to local clubs fueled the process. What surfaced was a set of songs that channelled everything - apprehension, joy, longing, grief -filtered through a musical lens that sparkled even in its darkest corners.

Born in Leeds in 2007, Nell had music in her bones before she was even born. Her mother played songs to her while still in the womb so that familiar sounds would comfort her once she arrived. From toddler festival-goer to budding songwriter, Nell’s musical growth was steady and organic. Influences ranged from Herman Dune and MGMT to Fleet Foxes, Bowie, and the band she would one day collaborate with, the Flaming Lips.

After moving with her family to Canada in 2012, Nell’s love for live music deepened. She saw the Lips again in Spokane in 2017, crying tears of joy when she received the tickets. Before long, she was performing live with established musicians - no longer just a fan anymore, but becoming an artist in her own right.

And then, tragically, on October 6, 2024, Nell died in a car accident, just hours after completing a video for Anxious. She was 17. Now, her family has launched the Nell Smith Memorial Fund to honor her memory and fuel the dreams of other young artists. The fund’s mission is clear: support passionate musicians with grants and resources, removing barriers and encouraging the same fearless pursuit Nell embodied. “The Nell Smith Memorial Fund will empower young musicians who share Nell’s dedication to pursuing a music career,” the family states. “Our mission is to ensure that Nell’s memory inspires others to chase their passion for music with the same joy and determination she embodied.”

Nell’s voice - full of promise, wonder, and courage - lives on in Anxious. It’s a devastating loss, yes, but also a reminder: even a short life can leave a lasting echo. To contribute to the fund, fans can purchase Anxious, donate via GoFundMe, or buy from the memorial shop.