FEATURED MUSICIAN
HOLD THE LIGHT INSIDE NELL SMITH
Nell Smith was destined for big things from a very young age. She won her first triathlon at the age of 7 and took on big mountain skiing competitions around the Kootenays. Taking her education into her own hands, she graduated early under her own steam, ready to leave school and take on the world.
Her passion for music also started young. Even before she was born, she was listening to music in utero and developed a love of artists including David Bowie, The Fleet Foxes, and Arcade Fire. Attending her second Flaming Lips concert at the age of 12, she caught the attention of lead singer, Wayne Coyne. The video of a young Nell in a parrot costume dueting with Wayne through his space bubble went viral and is a clear indication of the young singer’ s confidence when in her element.
While her connection with Coyne grew, she developed close friendships with established musicians in Fernie, including Sage and Tim of Shred Kelly and Rachel Behan of Hark Raving Sirens. A mentorship with Troy Cook – known locally as‘ Bubba’ was especially meaningful. Troy gave Nell her first guitar and while he was undergoing treatment for cancer, she would wait hours to see him in hospital, smuggling in her beloved cat – Colin – to cheer up her fellow cat-loving musician.
Through these connections Nell developed her own personal style and learned to tell her story through her music with a maturity well beyond her years. Her voice sparkles through her songs, reflecting both her youth and her extensive life experience – much more than anyone would expect of a 17-year-old.
Tragically, Nell died in a car accident in October 2024. Her second album, Anxious, already in the post-production stage at the time, was released in April 2025 on Bella Union.
Purchase music, merchandise, or support the memorial fund set up in her name via her website nellsmithmusic. com.
31