Nick Cave: Christ, the Devil and the duty to offend 

In an age when the world is divided by conflicting certainties, ambivalence seems wiser and more truthful.

I never met this man or knew anything about him until now and i have cried a few times listening to this. He has a soul i understand and connect with. Beautiful x

I am a late-comer in discovering Nick. I am overwhelmed by the depth of his journey. So glad I did find him. I can relate so much to his struggles with faith and the creative process. I lost my daughter recently and his words of how he came to terms with his son bring me comfort. In the current climate we need more like Nick. Great interview: well recorded, the setting, the sound, the questions

Grief can throw you into an unexpected and surprising state of grace where you suddenly feel connected with everything and everyone. It is another kind of state that I found a huge help while in deep grief.

"Living outside the expectations of other people".....love that. Nick looks so good and still the same virtually.

One can feel the authenticity, depth and openess here. It is incredibly attractive. More of this, please.

This is so unexpected and awesome. Been a Cave fan since 94, never thought I'd see him on Unherd but it is a sublime choice!

I have being listening to Nick Cave since 1989- first time I saw him was in the sfx in Dublin when I was 20 on the Henry’s dream tour This is probably the best interview I have seen with nick cave - well done to the interviewer and the questions from the crowd

It appears that Nick is a man who is continually searching for belief but has not fully found it. I feel he has actually found it but has not realized it. Good on you Nick.

For me Nick Cave has really became an "Ultimate Colsoler". Every time I see or hear him, I become a better person and more calm. He is like an Ultimate ASMR video for me. I've been his fan since 1997.

Nick seems like a really good skin. Intelligent but very humble. I pray that he will encounter Christ in such a way that all his skepticism will completely vanish. Our Lord is knocking on the door of his heart in a special way right now and it’s a beautiful thing to see. God bless

I want to see a Nick Cave, Jonathan Pageau, and Jordan Peterson all chat for about 3 1/3 hours...❤️♥️❤️

Well done Freddy. I've been following Nick's story since the early 80's knowing that someone as open and scabrous as he was would have to eventually run into God's brick wall. And Nick if you read this, I salute you from one of those dodgy RU-vid channels.

it has been fascinating to follow Mr Cave's evolution over the last 40 years or so. As a 16 or 17 year old I traveled all the way to London from North Staffordshire to see what was due to be the Birthday Party's last ever UK gig, or perhaps their last ever gig,. It was at The Venue in Vitoria. They wouldn't let me in because I was so obviously not 18. I can still feel the disappointment.

I came here overwhelmed by a loss three years ago. Grief has finally arrived. The hear Nick Caves journey through such an unimaginable loss has worked, oddly to lift me. Thank you both.

I once met nick cave, he was a gentleman, I gave him a Kylie Minogue bag from a pound shop I had hanging on my wall, he came back to my flat in Manchester after a gig in the 90s, we tried to score, he was very trusting and brought the whole band back even though we couldn't get any drug's, I respect him and his music, especially the boatmans call album, if he ever reads this, I know what that kind of grief feels like . I enjoyed this interview. 👍

Nick if you’re reading , God never withdrew from Jesus. He was always with Him .Jesus shared our humanity with all the anguish and pain - that is why he is the true propitiation and advocate for our brokenness- and the great task to redeem humanity was tinged with our human anguish and frailty. That’s why He was alone, but the Father was always with him. He cried out ‘it is finished’ …. his work on the cross - that redeems us all by faith in this selfless brave act of the ages- because God as man was the only one who could accomplish it- reconciliation manifest - Amen 🙏 Oh, and tender prey was the first record I ever bought x

I really enjoyed listening to Nick Cave's journey with faith and doubt. It was very relatable to my own.

Adore Nick Cave and have missed Leonard Cohen for his sublime presence in the world.. Seeing Nick here has made me realise that he is matching Leonard Cohen with his gentle wisdom and charismatic soul...

What a delight to sit and watch this interview. Nick's music and art has deeply impacted me going on 25 years now and holds a very special place in my life and my own attempts at creative expression; overcoming addiction and the impact of grief and reconciling one's faith. I did get a giggle from his advice on today's counterculture. I pray for Nick and his loved ones. God bless him!

Ghosteen was like a full on spiritual experience for me. I mean shivers up the legs, back and head; a feeling in the gut and chest and lots of tears; plus a deep resonance that words can't describe. The album came out when I was in the middle of a dark night of the soul, caused by grief and trauma.

This is taking me a long time to get through.......I keep having to pause the conversation and listen to Nick Cave songs.

A quiet fan for many years….. thank you It’s inevitable with pain and suffering …. We all grow up and mature with time ….. nice to see it in artists and alike …. In my life the last few years did do some good …. It did for me 🕊🙏🏻🕊

An artist in the purist sense.Rare and precious.

"There's nothing in doing what you've done before" Dam! Best quote I've heard this year. Thank you Nick

I'm only discovering Nick Cave now although he's my generation. Don't think it was the easiest interview Freddy has ever conducted, but how wonderful it was. Nick's raw humanity was palpable. Well done Freddy for going to tough places with this most compelling man.

Nick Cave is the epitome of cool. Such a lovely, nuanced, thoughtful man

This is refreshing,I’m a christen and can totally relate to nick,it’s not something you can explain ,it’s an uncontrollable overwhelming feeling of love and it’s very personal,and once you’ve felt it your life changes

I like this young man interviewing Nick, he seems sincere and well spoken. Not many out there that aren't seeking "clout".

What a brilliant and sensitive conversation for a Good Friday

Nick's sheer lack of contrivance makes him a rare thing indeed

Thank you Freddy and thank you Nick. It's been an absolute pleasure listening to your conversation.

One of the most candid sides I've seen of Nick and it makes me feel humble in relation to the changes that he and his family have gone through these last few years......and on another note it cheers me that he's (possibly) read Hitchens. Love you and your work Nick!!

Wow! Great interview. Thank you UnHerd. Nick's songs have been an important part of my life. You just have to live a few decades to understand what he is talking about. There is a lyric that has sticked to me for all these years of existence: today is the time of courage, tomorrow of forgiveness, sweetheart come.

Nick Cave is sooooo refreshing everytime he talks.... inspiring! Just as he is electrifying listening to his songs and performing on stage. Thanks a lot for this interview.

I listened to a lot of Nick Caves stuff during lockdown and was blown away by his song writing A genius.

Wasn't expecting this!

Wonderful interview with a person I appreciate more for "who" he is, rather than "what" he's done. Of late I've tried to, pardon the cliche, meet people where they are, instead of using them as some sort of human measuring stick to confirm how clever I am. I am not clever, yet I'm trying to keep my channels open. Freddy yet again asks brilliant questions. Thank you.

The best stories are a melding of the uncanny and the sublime. Thank you for this conversation- so lovely for the Holy Week journey… a very deep vibrating too… especially with others around the world who are also on this annual pilgrimage

Nick Cave is such a beautiful human being. His Red Hands Files are the only newsletters that I bother to open and read religiously. So raw, earnest, spiritual, and non conforming. God bless his heart❤

Thanks for this. It would be great to see a Nick Cave/Paul Kingsnorth conversation. Make it happen Unherd!

You got my attention, UnHerd! Great work.

Have been in love w Nick Cave for about 20 years now. The most tangible thing about him are his words. And his deep voice in song. Love Leonard Cohen too rip.

... seeing Nick Cave in a new light! Enlightening and inspiring, thought provoking and honest. A brilliant interview. I will read his book and refamiliarise myself with his music.

So excited for this. Nicks been a beacon of integrity in the artistic world for decades

So wonderful to come across this discussion. Although I'm a fan of Uherd already, I didn't expect this one and as usual, it sparked some great insights. Thank you!

Ageing has always had a sobering effect on people. In the words of an old poem "Kind David and King Solomon lead very merry lives, With oh so many concubines and oh so many wives. But when old age crept upon them with oh so many qualms, King Solomon wrote the Proverbs, and David wrote the Psalms."

I like Nick's honesty and the machinations of his mind very real very human & the interviewer is terrific in drawing out Nick's thoughts. I followed Jesus for decades now - sometimes doubting, sceptical, sometimes giving up but now am delighted to say having hung on I now know God as deeply real and as a deep spiritual friend and help. It feels something like having a great King who takes a genuine, personal and loving interest in His subject (a nobody in the scheme of things) but it's even better than that. Hope Nick gets to feel this eventually. God draws us slowly and ever so gently to Him, respecting our free will and our personal space -He's awesome. God bless you all.

I wouldn't say Nick Cave's early performances with Birthday Party were violent per se as much as there was a large emphasis on catastrophic shock as a catalyst for unresolved anguish and as a means of artistic expression as part of the creative process and human discovery. Also, I just want to say that my most favorite period of The Bad Seeds was between Kicking Against The Pricks up to Tender Prey, their most poignant and visceral years.

Love this! Thank-You for having & posting this intimate interview. Cave is a haunting wind in the secular arts, blowing out his points on church, Jesus, angels & the devil, rustling up his audience. No artist should be silenced or corralled which is the antithesis of being a creator. Artists reflect God, an eternal concept, who "In the beginning... created" so Cave has a great gift from the Divine & is the seen & known conduit for the unseen & mysterious Inspiration

Reaching into the side of Jesus into the wounds feeling it fully. That’s the human experience Nick keep travelling the road Damascus and singing your songs 🌱🙏🏽💜

I was introduced to Nick Cave in the late 90's. My roommate has murder ballads on CD. I love that record. But is so much more to him, I found over the years.

An excellent, no-nonsense, no-bullshit conversation. Nick Cave is a genuinely interesting and thinking person- as well as songwriter, of course. I have seem him live more than once, but never before in a conversation like this.

It's interesting how many times Nick uses "merciless" in the interview ... "Mercy" being so present in his songs as well.

Loved it! So special, thank you ❤

What an absolute Easter gift this conversation is!! Thankyou Unherd!

Into my arms. What a song.

Nick Cave looks well for multiple decades of rocking out &/or in the music industry 🫡 Please accept my sincerest empathy in tragedy Nick...and in hope brother 🫡

Excellent, love the conversation. Thanks you two.

Oh I loved this. Have met Nick a few times as well as seeing him perform numerous times. I appreciate his newly found openness. I identify with chunks of his journey with previous drug use, questions around faith etc. It's interesting how some people always want to make others 'define' their perception of Christ/God/faith as per the first audience question here.

This is a struggle of wise men accepting salvation... I hope salvation will become more desirable to Nick over time than the fancy struggle itself... "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children." Matthew 11:25

I have been asking the Lord to SAVE NICK CAVE for over 25 years now ! Jesus loves him, and put it on my heart to pray for him, and I just know He has been waiting for Nick to surrender completely to Him. 🙌

Wow! I’m not even a fan of Nick Cave’s music but this was fantastic. A room full of intelligent people having an honest conversation. I actually felt really moved by his openness and non-defensiveness. Wonderful stuff.

Excellent interview. Perfect Easter meditation.

I envy Nick because he's always surrounded by books and a cozy corner.

Truly one of Unherd's best 🌹🌹🌹

Sublime insights. Thank you Nick and Freddie!

Nick love ya mate. Saw you guys in Perth a few times. Sorry for your loss, hold family and friends close everyone. It's so nice to hear him and totally jealous of UK for having him living there. Life can be cruel, but your legacy lives on in everyone you have touched. Like Vegemite, Tim Tams, Bondi, you are our Aussie symbol too.

Thanks for this fantastic interview!

Fredy - awesome. You are a gentleman and certainly showing the vast difference between the entirely shallow US dichotomy between L & R and the true British ability to express and discuss reality in all its shapes and sizes. And have a strong opinion to boot - thank you! God bless praying for you your team and of course Nick

well this made my day. what a beautiful way to spend an hour and what an amazing human being.

It’s interesting to see the new strategy being adopted by the churches to influence us. Rather than belief or faith we are now told that seriously doubting religion is a normal part of being a member of the church. A clever sales pitch.

I asked Ai what it thought of we know who u r and got this responce Nick Cave and the Bad seeds have a song called "We No Who U R," which was released in 2012 as the first single from their album "Push the Sky Away." Here are the lyrics to "We No Who U R" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: Verse 1: Tree don’t care what the little bird sings We go down with your darlin’ to the river We go down ‘neath the waves and the calm of the lake We swim down under the ground, lost for a purpose Chorus: We no who you are We know where you live And we know there’s no need to forgive Verse 2: Days turn to sand, summer to rain And I’m still in love with you The world is turning, turning, turning And we’re just hanging on Chorus: We no who you are We know where you live And we know there’s no need to forgive Bridge: We’re mice following the snake Into jaws of desire And you know there’s no reckoning That’s coming in the fire Chorus: We no who you are We know where you live And we know there’s no need to forgive Outro: We no who you are We no who you are We no who you are The lyrics of "We No Who U R" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are somewhat cryptic and open to interpretation. However, here is one possible interpretation: The first verse talks about going down to the river and under the ground, which could be a metaphor for exploring the depths of one's psyche or the hidden, subconscious parts of the world. The chorus ("We no who you are, we know where you live, and we know there's no need to forgive") suggests that the song is directed at someone specific, and that they have been caught doing something wrong or immoral. The repetition of "we no who you are" could be a way of emphasizing the certainty and knowledge of the accusers. The second verse mentions the passing of time and a lingering love, which could suggest a relationship that has fallen apart or a sense of nostalgia for the past. The bridge ("We're mice following the snake into jaws of desire, and you know there's no reckoning that's coming in the fire") could be a warning about the dangers of temptation or following the wrong path, and the idea that there may not be any consequences or punishment for one's actions. Overall, the song seems to be about uncovering the truth about someone and holding them accountable for their actions, while also acknowledging the complexity and ambiguity of human behavior and desire.

This is one of the best conversations/interviews I’ve seen in a long time. Amazing job Freddie

Gott Mit Uns Nick!! a superbly well measured and at the same time deep interview....thanks.

I like him so much more as he passes middle age. Wish his family didnt have to experience their loss

What a thoughtful, well grounded interview✌️

The emotional honesty in following up the question at 53:26 is very palpable

Such transparency with such honesty ❤ As a visual artist also from that generation I can totally relate ❤️

Incredible interview, thankyou

Such a great conversation. Always been a fan, so was thrilled to see nick cave on unherd. Brill

Watching you become a gentleman is so inspiring it's...belief itself

Civilized conversation. Very enjoyable. Thank you, Gentlemen.

I'm Awwwstralian, and a singer...I have been requested over the years to sing Into My Arms three times now at funerals of my friends, and I have found there were quite vast differences in the personality traits of these individuals...this has fascinated me. It is a song that transcends all others during a time of grief I think. Love all your work Mr Cave, your music, your literature, your lyrics, your choice in working collaborations (Warren Ellis). This world of things is a much better place due to your body of work, thank you sir 🙏💜 "I don't believe in an interventionist god" 💜💜💜

Excellent stuff. Thank you.

Excited for this

Ohhhhhh - how wonderful is this! I was at early Birthday Party shows in Sydney, Melbourne and London and followed Nick Cave's (and his bands) music and his writing. A phrase I rally loved from an article in the Guardian, i think, was 'the permafrost of puritanism', that he saw infecting music and the arts. The 'balls to the wall' two Grinderman albums were a great antidote to that, altho he is somewhere else now, which I also love.

So refreshing to listen to such a great man.

God is in the tabernqcle..But also,we receive Him in everyHoly Comunipn and that is when His Divinity entersin our wounds ,memorijske,boda and heal and transform..Also,confession.Try to humbly confess sins to faithful Catholic priest a d get absolution..It is as Eastern brethen calls God's Mysteries and He established it and gave as treasure for us.Behold,i am with you till the end of times..Jesus Christ.. That what I can not comprehemd is our human superficiality and that we chase for bad examoles ,avoiding to see all the glorious saints and great priests and lay,all the nubeorus good deeds as well. Indeed glad for you Nick,thanks be to the Lord.

Wonderful. Thank you.

I always enjoyed Nick Cave but not as enthusiastically as I do now, musically, poetically, and I can listen to albums like Push the Sky Away with pleasure, no distractions about the man, himself. His appearance on the scene in the 70s was out of my reach mostly, as I was busy with other things and music, but I'm so pleased to listen now. I don't know why, same with Leonard Cohen who I also always enjoyed but didn't give enough attention to, until later. Nick, I thought, was a southern Louisiana bluesman and when I first heard him speak I laughed at my own bias lol. This interview is excellently revealing, even though I sense he's prevaricating for some reason, but I'm definitely glad he finally gave himself a mental, emotional, public colonic. The "sacred duty to offend" what a fine line!

I have been several times in Nick's gigs, he seems like a normal person. dark, sarcastic, funny, serious, intelligent

Transcendence speaks volumes about the truth.

Great questions, and very authentic answers. Praying that Nick will be able to truly find a relationship with God, and overcome the intellectual hesitation that he still has. “Introduction to Christianity” is the book that did that for me many years ago.

Breathless will forever be my favourite nick cave creation.

Love Nick. Great interview.

You can't do what you've done before. Great interview from unherd.

Tremendous talk Nick with lovely 🥰 candid wonderful moments of amazing humour an poetry. ❤🌸💗🌼

Two beautiful minds. Love, TRUTH and better ideas alive and kicking,.......... gently 🕊️❤️🙏☘️

Saw the title, instant click.