Nick Cave Reflects on Loss and Family

In a heartfelt interview, Australian musician Nick Cave has opened up about how the tragic deaths of his two sons have changed his perspective on life. Talking on ABC‘s Australian Story, which coincided with the anniversary of his son Jethro’s passing, Cave shared his thoughts on grief and self-importance.

He reflected on how, for most of his life, he was caught up in his own success. ‘I was just sort of in awe of my own genius,’ he admitted. ‘I had an office where I would write every day, and everything else felt unimportant.’ But the loss of his boys made him reconsider these priorities.

Now at 66, Cave emphasizes that being a husband and a father is what truly matters to him. He stated, ‘My priorities changed. I still work and tour, but the idea that art is above everything just doesn’t apply to me anymore.’

Cave’s grief has profoundly influenced his art throughout his career. In 2015, his first son Arthur, just 15 years old, died after falling from a cliff. Seven years later, he lost Jethro, who died at 31. ‘We become creatures of loss as we get older,’ Cave reflected, adding that this isn’t a tragic part of life but one that deepens our existence.

During the interview, Cave also spoke about how he connects with his fans through his website, the Red Hand Files, where he receives and answers letters from people sharing their own stories of grief. He finds a sense of community and beauty in this exchange, allowing him to stay open to the world.

Despite his losses, there is a light in Cave’s life. He recently became a grandfather, sharing his hopes of being the fun, slightly inappropriate granddad that kids secretly adore.