Faith, Hope and Carnage by Nick Cave & Sean O'Hagan (2022)

Faith, Hope and Carnage

In conversation: Nick Cave & Sean O'Hagan

Canongate Books - 2022

Audible / digital download

   I would never describe myself as world's biggest Nick Cave fan.  I've only been onboard since his 9th Studio album; The Murder Ballads but given that has been out since the mid 90's maybe I'm half way there.

   Cave is a fascinating figure.  He seems uncompromising, driven by demons and angels in equal measure and he has a look.  I suspect a lot of folks know who he is without necessarily knowing all that much of his music.  And I'm not sure you would ever describe his work as popularist so that's understandable. I like that exclusivity.  It makes it feel more personal.  It also means that when you meet another Nick Cave fan, there is an unspoken confession about the kinds of thoughts you keep in your head.  It works in reverse as well.  I spent a long time having frank and very honest conversations with a work colleague about life, death, sex and religion and all sorts of everything else and they said: "You haven't got the Murdered Ballads?  Get it.  You'll absolutely love it."  And they were right.

   I'm not sure you necessarily need to be really familiar with his music to enjoy this book but I cant imagine anyone wanting to read it who wasn't on some level already a fan.

   It starts in conversations through the Covid lockdown, a series of phone calls between the two men that then becomes a book by default of it going into all sorts of interesting places.  Its not a memoir or a rock biography. Its about life, love, death, grief, religion and creativity as a process born out of those things.  Its about friendships as well and ultimately its about trusting that by sharing all of these thoughts and perspectives on the recent events of his life, that it may help others and Cave himself.  It's steeped in the 2014 death of Cave's son: Arthur but its ultimately optimistic in its sense that how ever affected, life must doggedly continue beyond the tragedies through all of his creative endeavors.

It was genuinely emotional at times but it also made me laugh as well.

As an audible it feels nothing like a book and everything like sitting on the side of one of the most honest conversations you may every hear.

It's very recommended... but only for those that are already in the know.

Steve