Nick Cave is an Australian musician, writer, and actor celebrated for his baritone vocals and leadership of the band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. His music is renowned for its emotional depth, drawing upon diverse influences. Cave's lyrics often delve into themes of death, religion, love, and violence.
1952: Birth of Tim Cave
Nick Cave's older brother, Tim Cave, was born in 1952.
1954: Birth of Peter Cave
Nick Cave's older brother, Peter Cave, was born in 1954.
September 1957: Birth of Nick Cave
Nick Cave was born in September 1957 in Warracknabeal, Victoria, Australia.
September 1957: Birth of Nick Cave
Nick Cave was born in September 1957 in Warracknabeal, Victoria, Australia.
1959: Birth of Julie Cave
Nick Cave's younger sister, Julie Cave, was born in 1959.
1973: Formation of Nick Cave's First Band
In 1973, Nick Cave, along with classmates from Caulfield Grammar School, formed his first band. They initially played cover songs before transitioning to original music.
1976: Enrollment at Caulfield Institute of Technology
Nick Cave enrolled in the Caulfield Institute of Technology in 1976 to study painting but left the following year to pursue music.
1977: The Boys Next Door
After leaving school in 1977, Nick Cave's band adopted the name "The Boys Next Door," focusing on original music and becoming active in the Melbourne post-punk scene.
1977: First Exposure to Australian Punk Rock
In 1977, Nick Cave had a transformative experience seeing the Australian punk rock groups Radio Birdman and the Saints perform live, which deeply inspired his musical direction.
1978: Rowland S. Howard Joins the Band
Guitarist and songwriter Rowland S. Howard became a member of The Boys Next Door in 1978, contributing to their developing sound.
1980: The Boys Next Door Becomes The Birthday Party
The Boys Next Door changed their name to The Birthday Party in 1980 and moved to London, then West Berlin, gaining notoriety for their provocative live performances.
1980: The Birthday Party Moves to London
After achieving notoriety in Australia, The Birthday Party relocated to London in 1980.
1980: Nick Cave Leaves Australia
Nick Cave made a significant life change in 1980 by leaving Australia, marking the start of his journey to different parts of the world.
1982: Cave Forms Short-lived Band Tuff Monks
During recording sessions for the Birthday Party's "Junkyard" LP in 1982, Nick Cave, along with bandmates Mick Harvey and Tracy Pew, formed the short-lived band Tuff Monks with members of The Go-Betweens. They released one single, "After the Fireworks," and played a single live show.
1982: Relocation to West Berlin
Seeking a change of scenery, The Birthday Party moved to West Berlin in 1982.
1982: Inception of the APRA Awards
The APRA Awards, presented by the Australasian Performing Right Association, were established in 1982 to honor composers and songwriters.
October 1983: Cave Collaborates with Annie Hogan on "Vixo"
Nick Cave collaborated with musician Annie Hogan on her song "Vixo" in October 1983.
1983: The Birthday Party Disbands
After a period of growing tension and creative differences, The Birthday Party disbanded in 1983.
1983: The Go-Betweens Release "Just a King in Mirrors"
The Go-Betweens paid tribute to Nick Cave in 1983 with their song "Just a King in Mirrors," showcasing his growing influence on other artists.
1984: Foetus Releases "Sick Man"
Foetus released "Sick Man" in 1984, a song about Nick Cave, further demonstrating his impact on his contemporaries.
1984: Release of "From Her to Eternity"
Nick Cave's 1984 album "From Her to Eternity" featured the title track co-written with Anita Lane, marking a notable collaboration from their relationship.
1985: Release of "Annie Hogan - Plays Kickabye"
The song "Vixo," featuring vocals by Nick Cave, was released as part of Annie Hogan's 12-inch vinyl record "Annie Hogan - Plays Kickabye" in 1985.
1986: Cave's Music Featured in "Dogs in Space"
Nick Cave's music was featured in the 1986 film "Dogs in Space," directed by Richard Lowenstein. Cave himself performed portions of the Boys Next Door song "Shivers" live and in a video segment within the film.
1986: Cave Covers Johnny Cash's "The Singer"
Nick Cave, a lifelong fan of Johnny Cash, recorded a cover of his song "The Singer" (originally titled "The Folk Singer") for his 1986 album, "Kicking Against the Pricks."
1987: The Gun Club Releases "Bill Bailey"
The Gun Club's 1987 song "Bill Bailey" served as another tribute to Nick Cave, highlighting his growing recognition in the music scene.
1987: Delayed Release of Honeymoon in Red Album
The collaborative album "Honeymoon in Red," intended as a project between The Birthday Party and Lydia Lunch, was finally released in 1987. Due to a falling out between Lunch and Cave, he was credited under pseudonyms on the release.
1987: Establishment of the ARIA Music Awards
The ARIA Music Awards, celebrating achievements in Australian music across all genres, were first held in 1987.
1987: Cave Makes Film Debut in "Wings of Desire"
Nick Cave, along with the Bad Seeds, appeared as a performer in Wim Wenders' 1987 film "Wings of Desire".
1987: Cave and the Bad Seeds Appear in Wim Wenders' "Wings of Desire"
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds were featured in Wim Wenders' 1987 film "Wings of Desire." They performed the songs "The Carny" and "From Her to Eternity" as part of the film.
1988: Cave Appears in Peter Sempel's "Dandy"
In 1988, Nick Cave made an appearance in the film "Dandy" by director Peter Sempel.
1988: Cave Debuts as an Author with "King Ink"
Nick Cave released his first book, "King Ink", a compilation of his lyrics and plays, in 1988.
1988: Debut Film Appearance and Score
Nick Cave starred in and wrote the score for the Australian prison film "Ghosts... of the Civil Dead" in 1988.
1989: Cave Publishes His Debut Novel, "And the Ass Saw the Angel"
In 1989, while residing in West Berlin, Nick Cave released his debut novel, "And the Ass Saw the Angel".
1989: Cave Stars in John Hillcoat's "Ghosts... of the Civil Dead"
Nick Cave took on a starring role in the 1989 film "Ghosts... of the Civil Dead", directed by John Hillcoat.
1989: Publication of "And the Ass Saw the Angel"
Nick Cave's debut novel, "And the Ass Saw the Angel," was published in 1989.
1990: Marriage to Viviane Carneiro
Nick Cave's personal life took a significant turn in 1990 when he married Brazilian journalist Viviane Carneiro after relocating to São Paulo.
1991: Cave Writes Original Song for "Until the End of the World"
Nick Cave wrote and contributed an original song titled "(I'll Love You) Till the End of the World" for Wim Wenders' 1991 film, "Until the End of the World." The song was included on the film's soundtrack.
1991: Cave Appears in "Johnny Suede"
Nick Cave appeared in the film "Johnny Suede" alongside Brad Pitt in 1991.
1991: Birth of Son, Luke
Expanding his family, Nick Cave welcomed the birth of his son, Luke, with Viviane Carneiro in 1991.
1991: Birth of Son, Jethro
Adding another layer to his personal life, Nick Cave's son, Jethro, was born in 1991, just ten days before his son Luke, to Beau Lazenby.
1993: Cave and Lydia Lunch Release Comic Book "AS-FIX-E-8"
Collaborating with Lydia Lunch, Nick Cave co-wrote the adult comic book "AS-FIX-E-8", illustrated by Mike Matthews, in 1993.
1993: Cave Contributes to Wenders' "Faraway, So Close!"
Continuing their collaborations, Nick Cave provided two original songs for Wim Wenders' 1993 sequel, "Faraway, So Close!" One of the songs served as the title track for the film.
1995: "There is a Light" Featured in "Batman Forever"
Nick Cave's song "There is a Light" was featured on the soundtrack of the 1995 film "Batman Forever."
July 1996: Cave Writes "The Flesh Made Word" for BBC Radio
In July 1996, Nick Cave penned a radio essay titled "The Flesh Made Word", exploring his relationship with Christianity, for the BBC.
1996: Cave's Music Featured in "Box of Moonlight"
Nick Cave's music was featured in the 1996 film "Box of Moonlight."
1996: Release of "Where the Wild Roses Grow"
Nick Cave's duet with Kylie Minogue, "Where the Wild Roses Grow," was released in 1996, marking a period of mainstream success.
1996: Cave Collaborates with Kylie Minogue and PJ Harvey
For his 1996 album "Murder Ballads," Nick Cave collaborated with two prominent female artists. He recorded the song "Where the Wild Roses Grow" with Kylie Minogue and the song "Henry Lee" with PJ Harvey.
1996: Divorce from Viviane Carneiro
After six years of marriage, Nick Cave and Viviane Carneiro divorced in 1996.
1997: Meeting Susie Bick
A significant chapter in Nick Cave's personal life began in 1997 when he met British model Susie Bick.
1997: Release of "Into My Arms"
Adding to his string of successful piano-driven ballads, Nick Cave released "Into My Arms" in 1997.
1997: Cave Releases "King Ink II"
Nick Cave followed up his 1988 release, "King Ink", with a second volume in 1997, titled "King Ink II". This volume included lyrics, poems, and a transcript of his radio essay "The Flesh Made Word".
1997: Release of "The Boatman's Call"
Nick Cave's 1997 album "The Boatman's Call" was released, influenced by his breakup with PJ Harvey, showcasing how personal experiences often permeated his music.
1998: Cave Writes Foreword for Canongate's "Gospel According to Mark"
In 1998, Nick Cave wrote the foreword for a Canongate publication of the "Gospel According to Mark", released in the UK.
1999: Marriage to Susie Bick
Nick Cave and Susie Bick solidified their relationship by getting married in 1999.
2000: Cave Covers Pulp's "Disco 2000"
Nick Cave recorded a cover version of the Pulp song "Disco 2000." The cover was included as a B-side on Pulp's single "Bad Cover Version" and an alternate take was featured on the deluxe edition of Pulp's album "Different Class."
2000: Birth of Twin Sons, Arthur and Earl
Nick Cave and Susie Bick welcomed their twin sons, Arthur and Earl, in 2000.
2000: Johnny Cash Covers "The Mercy Seat"
Johnny Cash covered Nick Cave's song "The Mercy Seat" on his album "American III: Solitary Man," released in 2000.
2000: "Release the Bats" Used in "Chopper"
Andrew Dominik, the director of the film "Chopper," chose to include Nick Cave's song "Release the Bats" in the movie released in 2000.
2001: Cave's Music Featured in "Mr In-Between"
Nick Cave's music was featured in the 2001 film "Mr In-Between."
2002: Cave and Cash Collaborate on "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"
Nick Cave and Johnny Cash recorded a duet of Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" in 2002. The recording was included on Cash's final album, "American IV: The Man Comes Around."
2003: Cave and the Bad Seeds Record Cover for Wenders' Documentary
In 2003, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds recorded a live in-studio cover track specifically for Wim Wenders' documentary, "The Soul of a Man."
2003: Cave Collaborates with Chris Bailey on "Bring It On"
Nick Cave collaborated with Chris Bailey, former frontman of the Australian punk band The Saints, on the 2003 single "Bring It On."
2004: Filming for "The Proposition" Takes Place
Filming for the film "The Proposition", with a screenplay by Nick Cave, took place in Queensland in 2004.
2004: Cave Releases Tribute to Johnny Cash
Following the death of Johnny Cash, Nick Cave released the song "Let the Bells Ring" as a posthumous tribute on his 2004 album, "Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus."
2004: Cave Collaborates with Marianne Faithfull on "Before the Poison"
Nick Cave collaborated with Marianne Faithfull on her 2004 album "Before the Poison." He co-wrote and produced three songs for the album: "Crazy Love," "There is a Ghost," and "Desperanto." The Bad Seeds also contributed to these tracks.
October 2005: "The Proposition" Premieres
"The Proposition", a film set in the Australian outback during the late 19th century for which Nick Cave wrote the screenplay, premiered in October 2005.
2005: Commencement of the J Awards
Triple J, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station, launched the J Awards, an annual series of Australian music awards, in 2005.
2005: The Proposition: A Foray into Westerns
Venturing into the Western genre, Nick Cave wrote and scored the Australian film "The Proposition" in 2005.
2005: Cave Writes the Screenplay for "The Proposition"
In 2005, Nick Cave wrote the screenplay for the film "The Proposition", directed by John Hillcoat and set in the Australian outback during the late 19th century.
2005: Launch of the Australian Music Prize
The Australian Music Prize (AMP), a $30,000 award recognizing outstanding album releases by Australian artists, was initiated in 2005.
2005: Cave's Music Featured in "Romance & Cigarettes"
Nick Cave's music was featured in the 2005 film "Romance & Cigarettes."
2005: Cave Performs in Leonard Cohen Tribute Film
Nick Cave participated in "Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man", a 2005 film paying tribute to Leonard Cohen, where he delivered a solo performance of "I'm Your Man" and joined Julie Christensen and Perla Batalla for "Suzanne".
2005: Cave and Ellis Compose Music for "The Proposition"
Marking their first collaboration, Nick Cave and fellow Bad Seeds member Warren Ellis composed the original score for John Hillcoat's film "The Proposition" in 2005. Cave also penned the screenplay for the film.
2006: Cave Contributes to Children's Music Album
Nick Cave provided vocals for the song "Sweet Rosyanne" on the children's music album "Catch That Train!" by Dan Zanes & Friends, released in 2006.
2006: Inauguration of the EG Awards
The EG Awards, celebrating Victorian music, were first held in 2006.
2006: Cave and Ellis Score "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"
Nick Cave and Warren Ellis collaborated on the score for the film "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford", directed by Andrew Dominik, in 2006.
2006: Formation of Grinderman
As a side project from The Bad Seeds, Nick Cave formed the alternative rock band Grinderman in 2006.
April 2007: Grinderman's First Public Performance
Grinderman, a side project of Nick Cave, made their public debut at the All Tomorrow's Parties music festival in April 2007. Notably, Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream joined them on stage for backing vocals and percussion.
2007: Scoring "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"
Continuing his work in film, Nick Cave (along with Warren Ellis) composed the score for "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" in 2007.
2007: Release of Grinderman's Debut Album
Grinderman, Nick Cave's alternative rock band, released their self-titled debut album in 2007.
2007: Cave Appears in and Scores "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"
In 2007, Nick Cave not only appeared in but also composed the soundtrack for the film "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford", even performing one of the songs with his son Luke.
2007: Pitchfork Reviews "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" Soundtrack
In 2007, Pitchfork published their review of the soundtrack for the film "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford", featuring music by Nick Cave.
2007: Cave and Ellis Compose Music for "The English Surgeon"
In addition to their work on feature films, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis also composed scores for documentaries, including "The English Surgeon" in 2007.
2007: Induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame
Nick Cave received recognition for his musical contributions with his induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007.
January 2008: Special Edition of "And the Ass Saw the Angel" is Released
January 2008 saw the release of a special edition of Nick Cave's debut novel, "And the Ass Saw the Angel".
May 2008: Cave and Shane MacGowan Perform "Lucy" in Dublin
During Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! tour, Shane MacGowan joined them on stage at Dublin Castle in Ireland to perform Cave's song "Lucy" in May 2008.
2008: Release of "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!"
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds released the album "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!" in 2008, which received critical acclaim.
2008: Cave Featured on Faithfull's "Easy Come, Easy Go"
Nick Cave was featured on Marianne Faithfull's 2008 album "Easy Come, Easy Go," providing vocals for the song "The Crane Wife" (originally by The Decemberists).
2008: Grinderman Featured in "Palermo Shooting"
Two original songs from Nick Cave's side project, Grinderman, were featured in Wim Wenders' 2008 film, "Palermo Shooting."
September 2009: Cave Publishes Second Novel, "The Death of Bunny Munro"
Nick Cave released his second novel, "The Death of Bunny Munro", a story about a sex-addicted salesman, in September 2009.
2009: Expresses Lack of Belief in Personal God
When questioned about his belief in a personal God in 2009, Nick Cave simply responded with "No," highlighting his complex relationship with faith.
2009: Cave Contributes to Triffids Biography
Nick Cave contributed to "Vagabond Holes: David McComb and the Triffids", a rock biography of the band The Triffids edited by Niall Lucy and Chris Coughran, in 2009.
2009: Cave and Ellis Compose for "The Road"
Following their work on "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford", Cave and Ellis continued their scoring partnership with director John Hillcoat, providing the music for his 2009 film "The Road", adapted from Cormac McCarthy's novel.
2009: Cave's Music Featured in "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant"
Nick Cave's music was featured in the 2009 film "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant."
2009: Publication of "The Death of Bunny Munro" and Scoring "The Road"
In 2009, Nick Cave released his second novel, "The Death of Bunny Munro," and composed the score for the post-apocalyptic film "The Road."
February 2010: Cave and Andy Serkis Announce Collaboration on "The Threepenny Opera"
February 2010 brought the announcement of a planned collaboration between Nick Cave and Andy Serkis on a motion-capture adaptation of the musical "The Threepenny Opera" by Brecht and Weill.
September 2010: Expresses Belief in God on BBC Radio 6
In a September 2010 interview on BBC Radio 6's "Jarvis Cocker's Sunday Service," Nick Cave expressed his belief in God, distinguishing it from organized religion, stating, "I believe in God in spite of religion, not because of it."
2010: Release of "Grinderman 2"
Grinderman, Nick Cave's alternative rock project, released their second studio album, "Grinderman 2," in 2010.
2010: Ranked 19th Greatest Living Lyricist by NME
In 2010, Nick Cave was recognized for his lyrical prowess by NME, ranking him the 19th greatest living lyricist.
2010: Cave Begins Duets with Debbie Harry
Nick Cave embarked on a series of duets with Blondie's Debbie Harry in 2010 as part of The Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions Project.
2010: "O Children" Featured in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1"
Nick Cave's song "O Children" was included in the 2010 film "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1."
December 2011: Nick Cave Announces the End of Grinderman
Following a performance at the Meredith Music Festival, Nick Cave announced that his musical project, Grinderman, had come to an end in December 2011.
2011: Praised as Greatest Living Songwriter by Flea
In 2011, renowned musician Flea lauded Nick Cave as the greatest living songwriter, showcasing Cave's impact on his peers.
2011: Cave and Neko Case Cover "She's Not There" for "True Blood"
Nick Cave and Neko Case collaborated on a cover of The Zombies' song "She's Not There" in 2011. The recording was used in the first episode of the fourth season of the HBO series "True Blood."
2011: Cave and Ellis Reunite with Hillcoat for "Lawless"
Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, frequent collaborators with director John Hillcoat, worked together once more in 2011, composing the score for his film "Lawless".
2012: "Lawless", Written by Cave, is Released
In 2012, the film "Lawless", for which Nick Cave wrote the screenplay based on Matt Bondurant's novel "The Wettest County in the World", was released.
2012: "Lawless", Adapted from Cave's Screenplay, is Released
John Hillcoat's film "Lawless", adapted from a screenplay written by Nick Cave based on the novel "The Wettest County in the World" by Matt Bondurant, was released in 2012.
2012: Cave and Ellis Score "West of Memphis"
Nick Cave and Warren Ellis composed the music for the documentary film "West of Memphis", released in 2012.
2012: Cave Writes the Screenplay for "Lawless"
Nick Cave wrote the screenplay for the 2012 film "Lawless", a collaboration with director John Hillcoat.
August 2013: Nomination for the Coopers Australian Music Prize
In August 2013, Nick Cave was named a finalist for the prestigious Coopers Australian Music Prize.
September 2013: Return to Typewriter for Songwriting
In September 2013, Nick Cave revealed that he had returned to using a typewriter for songwriting after a period of using computers.
2013: Publication of "The Art of Nick Cave: New Critical Essays"
Further solidifying his place in academia, 2013 saw the publication of "The Art of Nick Cave: New Critical Essays," edited by John H. Baker, highlighting the growing critical analysis of Cave's work.
2013: Renaming of the EG Awards to Music Victoria Awards
The EG Awards, established to celebrate Victorian music, were renamed as the Music Victoria Awards in 2013.
2013: Cave Discusses "The Proposition" in Interview
During a 2013 interview, Nick Cave spoke about his personal connection to the screenplay he wrote for the film "The Proposition".
2013: Grinderman Reunites for Coachella Performances
Despite disbanding in 2011, Grinderman reunited in 2013 for a special performance. The group, along with Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, played both weekends of the 2013 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
October 2014: Premiere of Cave's Opera "Shell Shock"
Nick Cave's opera "Shell Shock," with music composed by Nicholas Lens, premiered at the Royal Opera House La Monnaie in Brussels in October 2014.
2014: Release of "20,000 Days on Earth"
Nick Cave starred in the semi-fictional film "20,000 Days on Earth," offering a glimpse into his creative process, in 2014.
2014: Release of "20,000 Days on Earth"
The film "20,000 Days on Earth," offering a glimpse into Nick Cave's life, was released in 2014, centered around his time in Brighton.
July 2015: Death of Son, Arthur Cave
Tragedy struck Nick Cave and his family in July 2015 when his 15-year-old son, Arthur, died from injuries sustained after falling from a cliff in Brighton.
2015: Cave Releases Book "The Sick Bag Song"
In 2015, Nick Cave published the book "The Sick Bag Song".
2015: Tragedy Strikes: The Loss of Arthur Cave
Nick Cave experienced a profound personal tragedy in 2015 with the death of his son, Arthur.
2015: Cave and Ellis Score "Prophet's Prey"
Continuing their work in documentary film, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis composed the score for "Prophet's Prey" in 2015.
2016: Scoring "Hell or High Water" and Release of "One More Time with Feeling"
Nick Cave and Warren Ellis collaborated on the score for "Hell or High Water" in 2016. The same year, the documentary about Cave's creative process, "One More Time with Feeling," was released.
2016: Cave and Ellis Score "Hell or High Water"
Nick Cave and Warren Ellis continued to be sought-after film composers, lending their talents to David Mackenzie's neo-Western "Hell or High Water" in 2016.
2016: Release of Documentary "One More Time with Feeling"
The documentary "One More Time with Feeling," released in 2016, offered a poignant look into Nick Cave and his family's grieving process following Arthur's death.
November 2017: Defiance of Israel Boycott
In November 2017, Nick Cave refused to cancel his concerts in Tel Aviv despite pressure from Brian Eno and Roger Waters, who urged musicians to boycott Israel over its policies. Cave condemned the boycott movement and defended his decision, stating his opposition to attempts to silence artists.
2017: Contemplating Move to Los Angeles
Following the tragic death of his son Arthur, Nick Cave revealed in 2017 to GQ magazine his family's consideration of relocating from Brighton to Los Angeles, finding it difficult to cope with the grief in Brighton.
2017: Appointed Officer of the Order of Australia
In 2017, Nick Cave was named an Officer of the Order of Australia, a significant honor recognizing his contributions to the arts.
November 2018: "Shell Shock" Performed in Paris
Nick Cave's opera "Shell Shock" was performed at the international Weekend of War and Peace event in Paris in November 2018. The performance featured L' Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France at the Cité de la Musique (Philharmonie de Paris) and was broadcast live on Arte and France Musique.
2018: Launch of The Red Hand Files
In 2018, Nick Cave started "The Red Hand Files," a newsletter where he directly answers fan questions.
September 2019: Cave and Serkis' "The Threepenny Opera" Remains Unrealized
As of September 2019, the motion-capture film adaptation of "The Threepenny Opera", a planned collaboration between Nick Cave and Andy Serkis, had not yet materialized.
October 2019: Release of "Ghosteen"
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds released their latest album, "Ghosteen," in October 2019.
2019: Release of "Ghosteen"
The Bad Seeds, fronted by Nick Cave, released their seventeenth studio album, "Ghosteen," in 2019, marking a period of grief and reflection.
2019: Expresses Disagreement with Organized Religion and Atheism
Through his "Red Hand Files" blog in 2019, Nick Cave articulated his disagreement with both organized religion and atheism, further emphasizing the nuanced nature of his beliefs.
2019: Release of Album "Ghosteen"
Nick Cave's 2019 album "Ghosteen" served as another creative exploration of the grief and healing process following the loss of his son Arthur.
2019: Defense of Morrissey's Freedom of Speech
In 2019, Nick Cave publicly defended Morrissey's right to free speech amid controversy surrounding the latter's political statements. Cave argued against censoring artists and emphasized the importance of open dialogue, even when confronted with challenging viewpoints.
2020: Criticism of Woke Culture and Cancel Culture
Nick Cave expressed his criticism of woke culture and cancel culture in 2020, describing them as stifling to creativity and freedom of thought. He argued against what he perceived as self-righteousness and the suppression of opposing viewpoints.
2020: Release of Cave's "L.I.T.A.N.I.E.S"
Nick Cave wrote the libretto for "L.I.T.A.N.I.E.S," a trance-minimal chamber opera composed by Nicholas Lens, which was released in 2020. A recording produced by both Cave and Lens was released by Deutsche Grammophon.
June 2021: Confirms Belief in God on "Red Hand Files"
In June 2021, Nick Cave used his platform on "Red Hand Files" to confirm his belief in God, providing further insight into his evolving relationship with faith.
November 2021: Relocation to Los Angeles and Return
In November 2021, on his blog "The Red Hand Files," Nick Cave shared that he and his wife Susie had moved from Brighton to Los Angeles due to the sadness associated with the city after their son's death. They later returned, realizing that sadness followed them, and eventually settled mostly in London.
2021: Cave and Ellis Compose Music for "The Velvet Queen"
In 2021, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis collaborated on the score for the documentary film "The Velvet Queen".
May 2022: Death of Son, Jethro Lazenby
Tragedy struck Nick Cave again in May 2022 with the death of his son, Jethro Lazenby, at the age of 31.
October 2022: Support for Mahsa Amini Protests
In October 2022, Nick Cave expressed his support for the protests in Iran sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini. He commended the protesters' bravery and expressed hope for their safety and well-being.
2022: Publication of "Faith, Hope and Carnage"
Nick Cave's book, "Faith, Hope and Carnage," published in 2022, provided a deeper look into his personal beliefs and experiences with faith.
2022: Cave Publishes "Faith, Hope, and Carnage"
Nick Cave published the book "Faith, Hope, and Carnage" in 2022.
January 2023: Cave Criticizes ChatGPT's Songwriting Abilities
In January 2023, Nick Cave responded critically to a song generated by the AI chatbot ChatGPT that was designed to mimic his style. He expressed his belief that true songwriting is a deeply human act, contrasting it with AI imitation.
June 2023: Discusses Heroin Addiction in BBC Radio 4 Interview
In June 2023, Nick Cave candidly discussed his 20-year struggle with heroin addiction during an interview with Justin Welby on BBC Radio 4's "The Archbishop Interview." He highlighted the contrasting experiences of his addiction, from the chaotic early years to a more stable period where he managed his addiction while continuing his creative work.
2023: Identifies as Not a Christian but One Who 'Acts Like One'
By 2023, Nick Cave described himself as not a Christian but someone who "acts like one," further demonstrating the complex nature of his faith and how it manifests in his life.
2023: Advocacy for Freedom of Speech and Against Boycotting Artists
During a lecture at the Hay Festival in 2023, Nick Cave reiterated his support for freedom of speech and cautioned against boycotting artists based on their actions or opinions. He argued that audiences should not reject an artist's entire body of work due to their flaws.
2023: Clarification on Political Stance and Support for Trans Rights
In 2023, Nick Cave clarified his political stance, stating he identifies as having a "conservative temperament" but is not opposed to progress. He expressed concerns about rapid societal changes and criticized the notion that society is inherently flawed. Cave also affirmed his support for the rights of transgender individuals, advocating for their dignity, freedom, and safety.
2023: Describes Growing Interest in Religion on Blog
In a 2023 blog post, Nick Cave shared his evolving perspective on religion, describing it as a "slowly emergent state" influenced by his upbringing and personal experiences.
2023: Attendance at the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla
Nick Cave's presence as a guest at the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla in 2023 highlighted his standing in British society.
2024: Encouragement to Perform in Israel
In 2024, when asked by a fellow musician about boycotting a festival in Israel, Nick Cave simply responded with "play," suggesting his continued stance against cultural boycotts.