Nick Cave on Ritual, Grief, and the Enduring Power of Music
As Nick Cave convalesces from the flu in London, the Australian singer reflects on his life, career, and the rituals that ground him, even in times of illness and profound loss.
“The whole of London is infected with this thing,” Cave sighed, speaking by phone due to his illness.1 Despite being unwell, the 68-year-old maintains his signature style, even indoors. “Yes. More or less,” he laughed, acknowledging his penchant for a suit. “I’m not sitting up in bed in my suit with a thermometer sticking out of my mouth.”
The Importance of Structure
Cave finds solace in formal structure, noting the significance of suits, offices, and even the scriptures. This dedication to framework has been a constant throughout his career, beginning with The Birthday Party and continuing with The Bad Seeds, often in collaboration with Warren Ellis. He approaches his creative work with a disciplined routine: “I secure up in the morning, put on my suit, kiss my wife goodbye and go to the office for the day. I literally don’t have a creative idea outside office hours.”1
Navigating Loss and Grief
Cave’s life took a tragic turn in 2015 with the accidental death of his son, Arthur. He later experienced further loss with the death of his son Jethro in 2022. Grief has become an integral part of his being, a reality he explores openly through his online column, The Red Hand Files, where he answers questions about bereavement and navigating trauma.
He credits his wife, Susie Cave, with helping him navigate these immense losses. “I was alert to that at the beginning,” Cave said, reflecting on the potential for grief to strain a relationship. “I made a concerted effort for that not to happen, and Susie made a concerted effort for that not to happen…We just understood that our relationship would forever be defined by a catastrophe but that we were also deeply in love.”1
Susie experiences visitations from Arthur in her dreams, a connection Cave feels he shares through her experiences. “I don’t dream remarkably much anyway, but I perceive I have my dreams through Susie,” he explained.1
From Addiction to Artistic Resilience
Cave’s journey has included a long battle with drug addiction, beginning before his father’s death and requiring six stints in rehab to overcome. He found solace and inspiration during his recovery in Skibbereen, Co Cork, Ireland, in the late 1990s, writing songs and performing in local pubs.1
The Transcendent Power of Music
Cave draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including the Bible, which he reads daily. He believes music holds a unique power, describing live performances as potentially “a kind of religious experience or transcendent experience.”1 His performances are now characterized as cathartic, choral, and deeply emotional.
Looking Ahead
Nick Cave &. The Bad Seeds are scheduled to perform at Malahide Castle in Dublin on June 10, 2026.3 Despite a recent Oscar nomination for “Train Dreams,” Cave maintains a pragmatic outlook, prioritizing his wife’s enjoyment of the event.1 He remains committed to following his own path, regardless of external expectations. “I follow my path intuitively and emotionally and do what I feel and think is right. And, you know, f**k it if people don’t agree.”1