Nick Cave has cemented his position as rock and roll’s foremost curmudgeon in a new profile for The New York Times. The singer, who will soon return to his homeland for a series of special solo performances, says the music his twin 14-year-old sons listen to makes him want to self-harm.
“My kids are at that lovely age where they’re just figuring out what’s good in music. They’re just grabbing stuff, on Spotify and all that, and occasionally they’ll find something that’s really mind-blowing. But sometimes I hear what they’re playing, and I just want to cut my wrists,” said Cave.
During a discussion about his visit to Graceland, the former home of Cave hero Elvis Presley, the singer recounted, “I went to Graceland once. The rest of the band went in, but I stayed out on the curb, smoking cigarettes and feeling sorry for myself. Those last Elvis performances — the ones for television, when he was already sick… They’re like crucifixions. I couldn’t bring myself to go inside.”
In the profile, Cave describes himself as “something of a megalomaniac” when it comes to his work, but he admits, “a megalomaniac with extremely low self-esteem,” and also touches on his lyrics, which can often be as sexual and graphic as the most brutal of death metal or gangsta rap cuts.
“I have a female audience in my mind when I write. That being said, I’m often flabbergasted by what some women find sexy in my music,” said Cave. “Not all women like it. I’ve been called all sorts of things. But even the material that’s the most… The most forceful sexually, it’s always riddled with anxiety. If my songs came off as just a male thing, I wouldn’t have any interest in that whatsoever.”
Cave’s upcoming Australian tour kicks off at the Fremantle Arts Centre in Perth this November and has already seen several dates sell out. Cave promises these upcoming shows will feature career-spanning setlists and the chance to see the Australian rock icon in a rare, stripped-back setting.
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Nick Cave Australian Tour Dates
Thursday, 27th November
Fremantle Arts Centre, Perth
Tickets: Via Heatseeker
Friday, 28th November – SOLD OUT
Fremantle Arts Centre, Perth
Tickets: Via Heatseeker
Sunday, 30th November – SOLD OUT
Festival Theatre, Adelaide
Tickets: Via Adelaide Festival Centre
Monday, 1st December – NEW SHOW
Festival Theatre, Adelaide
Tickets: Via Adelaide Festival Centre
Wednesday, 3rd December
Brisbane Convention Centre, Brisbane
Tickets: Via Ticketek
Thursday, 4th December
Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre Gold Coast
Tickets: Via Ticketek
Saturday, 6th December – SOLD OUT
Civic Theatre, Auckland
Tickets: Via Ticketmaster
Sunday, 7th December – SOLD OUT
Civic Theatre, Auckland
Tickets: Via Ticketmaster
Monday, 8th December – SOLD OUT
St James Theatre, Wellington
Tickets: Via Ticketek
Tuesday, 9th December – SOLD OUT
St James Theatre, Wellington
Tickets: Via Ticketek
Thursday, 11th December – SOLD OUT
State Theatre, Sydney
Tickets: Via Ticketmaster
Friday, 12th December – SOLD OUT
State Theatre, Sydney
Tickets: Via Ticketmaster
Saturday, 13th December – SOLD OUT
State Theatre, Sydney
Tickets: Via Ticketmaster
Sunday, 14th December – NEW SHOW
State Theatre, Sydney
Tickets: Via Ticketmaster
Tuesday, 16th December – SOLD OUT
The Plenary, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Melbourne
Tickets: Via Oztix
Wednesday, 17th December – NEW SHOW
The Plenary, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Melbourne
Tickets: Via Oztix
