Nick Cave's 'Faith, Hope and Carnage' Explores Grief and Creativity Through Pandemic-Era Dialogues

Nick Cave and journalist Seán O'Hagan began regular phone conversations in 2020 during COVID-19 lockdowns, leading to the book 'Faith, Hope and Carnage'. Their discussions, inspired by the Paris Review's long-form interview style, evolved from professional acquaintance into revealing explorations of creativity, belief, and loss. Cave opens up about his artistic process, describing his work as relational and transactional, requiring audience engagement for validity. He details collaborations with Warren Ellis on the 2019 album Ghosteen, where they pursued songs through improvisation. The book transcends typical rockstar memoirs by confronting the death of Cave's teenage son Arthur in 2015, which plunged his family into profound grief. Cave describes feeling in acute disorder while recording the 2016 album Skeleton Tree, admitting uncertainty in his creative process. His formal art training in 1970s Melbourne informs his songwriting approach, which he experiences visually through stories and symbols. Cave reflects on religion, suggesting doubt energizes belief through its counterfactual nature. The singer's recovery has involved creating ceramic figurines depicting the devil's life, fostering a benevolent worldview. He concludes with a call for urgent love toward humanity and recognition of finite time. Published by Cannongate Books at £20, the volume stands alongside works like Nick Blackburn's 2022 book The Reactor as a powerful meditation on grief.