In this engaging conversation, Nick Cave, a renowned singer and writer known for his intense music with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, reflects on his artistic journey and the themes of loss and hope in his work. He shares the emotional complexities of songwriting, revealing how personal struggles fuel creativity. Cave also delves into his experiences with grief following the loss of his sons, the transformative power of addiction, and the importance of community in art. The light-hearted segment about his desert island favorites adds a delightful twist!
Nick Cave views songwriting as an emotional journey driven by love, where inspiration often emerges unexpectedly amid struggles like rehabilitation.
Cave reflects on his idyllic childhood and unique upbringing in Australia, which nurtured his artistic spirit and instilled courage in his creative endeavors.
Deep dives
Nick Cave's Creative Process
Nick Cave describes his songwriting process as an emotional journey rather than a planned activity, emphasizing that he does not sit down with a specific theme in mind. Instead, he views writing as an act of love, expressing a mix of frustration and joy during the creative process, ultimately leading to moments where the right lines emerge. For instance, the song 'Into My Arms' came to him when he was in rehab and a melody struck him while walking back from church, highlighting how inspiration can arise unexpectedly in difficult times. Despite the challenges he faces when writing, he stresses the importance of structure in his routine, working during office hours and dressing formally to foster creativity.
Childhood Influences
Cave reflects on his idyllic childhood in Wangaratta, Australia, describing a free-range upbringing where adventure was encouraged, albeit with a hint of recklessness. His father, a passionate educator, introduced him to literature and art that often challenged norms and provoked thought, fostering Cave's appreciation for creativity from an early age. He recalls how his father's unconventional teaching methods, such as swapping out mundane books for the likes of Shakespeare, shaped his love for the arts. This nurturing environment, filled with explorative and sometimes dangerous activities, instilled a sense of courage in Cave that he carries into adulthood.
Navigating Grief and Loss
Cave candidly discusses the profound impact of losing his son, Arthur, which he describes as a pivotal rupture in his life, bringing about a deeper understanding of grief. He admits to finding it difficult to articulate his feelings surrounding the tragedy but has used his online platform, the Red Hand Files, to connect with others experiencing similar loss. Despite the overwhelming sadness, Cave explores themes of hope in his work, believing that joy can emerge from deep sorrow. He articulately connects the pain he has endured with an appreciation for life, suggesting that understanding loss can lead to a renewed sense of joy and connection with loved ones.
Artistry Beyond Music
In addition to his music career, Cave has engaged in various forms of creative expression, including writing, screenplays, and even ceramics, which he began during the COVID pandemic. He considers his artistic endeavors as both a personal outlet and a means to navigate his emotional landscape, with ceramics providing a meditative escape. His late mother had a special connection to his early works, and the act of creating figurines has become a spiritual practice, allowing him to find solace and purpose. Furthermore, his discussions about attending church reflect a search for meaning and community, and he sees this as an integral part of articulating his spiritual yearnings.
Nick Cave is a singer and writer who, with his band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, has released emotionally intense and provocative music since the mid-Eighties. He is also a novelist, composer and has written film scripts and soundtracks along with his writing partner and Bad Seed Warren Ellis.
Nick grew up in Wangaratta, Australia the third of four children. He formed his first band, the Boys Next Door, in 1973 while he was at school. He studied fine art at the Caulfield Institute of Technology in Melbourne but left to pursue music. In 1980 the band relocated to London, renaming themselves the Birthday Party on the flight over. In 1984 Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ released their debut album, From Her to Eternity, and they have gone on to put out a further 17 albums.
In 2015 Nick lost his son Arthur who died after accidentally falling off a cliff and seven years later his eldest son Jethro died. In 2018 Nick started the Red Hand Files, an online blog in which he answers questions posed by his fans, to try and articulate his feelings about grief. He has described it as a “strange exercise in communal vulnerability and transparency.”
In 2017 he was named an Officer of the Order of Australia.
DISC ONE: Metal Guru - T. Rex
DISC TWO: My Father - Nina Simone
DISC THREE: (I’m) Stranded - The Saints
DISC FOUR: It Serves You Right to Suffer - John Lee Hooker
DISC FIVE: Something on Your Mind - Karen Dalton
DISC SIX: Girl from the North Country - Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash West
DISC SEVEN: I Am a God – Kanye West
DISC EIGHT: Morning Dew - Tim Rose
BOOK CHOICE: The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
LUXURY ITEM: A suit
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: I Am a God – Kanye West
Presenter Lauren Laverne
Producer Paula McGinley
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode