I have to tell you that as a musician (I play bass), lyricist and wannabe novelist that I've been a fan of Nick Cave for at least 20 years! I had an opportunity to sit in a boardroom with him while he was interviewed for a radio show today. I guess it was something close to 40 minutes or so...

Now, I always knew he was interesting but I was a little intimidated... He's got a reputation for not suffering fools, so from everything I've read or "heard" there's always a slight chance that if something pisses him off he might react in a manner that could make you a little uncomfortable. Thankfully not today, and not me!

He's currently on a book tour promoting his new novel titled "The Death of Bunny Munroe". I haven't read it yet but can't wait to after hearing him talk about it. During the interview he was quite witty, self effacing and open to the point of talking a little about his family.

Two things impressed the hell out of me...

1) He was talking about an in-store signing that he was doing at a book chain later tonight and he really wanted to make sure that the people attending got something interesting out of the evening. He & the host decided that they'd probably do a decently in-depth chat so that the people there got to hear as much about the book as they wanted. He even suggested that it'd be good to take questions from the floor. And he said that he didn't want to disappoint anyone that had stood in line for a signed book or a chance to get to meet him. He said that he'd stay as late as the store would let him to sign copies so that nobody went away upset that they didn't get a chance to say hi or get their book signed. And he said that he was even prepared to stay after the store closed to make sure that nobody was left out. What an amazing perspective!

2) After the interview was done he signed 3 books for me and a special promo package of his No More Shall We Part CD. In fact, one of the books was for a good friend of mine who asked that it be signed in a specific manner, including four names. And he did it all, while asking me about me. When he found out that I played bass we started talking about bands, etc. I joked that I didn't like playing "fan boy" and really didn't do it but that for him I had to make an exception. He laughed and said "I do do this", talking about meeting people and signing things. What a great guy!

I'd have to say that he's just moved up a couple of more notches on the old respect-o-meter.

Y'know I really wanted to tell him that my all-time favourite lyric, of all of the ones that ever I've written was heavily influenced by him. It's about my reaction to the death of my father and the absolute feelings of loss and displacement I went through in those first couple of weeks. It's in my gallery, but if you don't mind I'd like to add it here as my token nod to someone who as an influence, I feel is one of the great originals and who has been a bit of a personal inspiration... It's called "Running on Numb" and goes like this...

Within these places where I’m left behind
I rattle my cages, cower from the divine
I’m roaming my memories, my present, my loss
Searching for solace, denying the cost

Shaking my stupor on this darkest dawn
Fleeing faces in dreams, their details withdrawn
I race down through my trails to wherever you lie
Lost to myself, across this divide

Oh,
I’m running on numb

Crouched in the calm at the edge of a torrent
Immersed in this cistern, summoning revenants
Railing at circumstance, weeping for sense
One in the solitude, bereft of reverence

Oh,
I’m running on numb

Sinking through crystal depths down towards the murk
Thrashing and wailing against the absurd
Slowly resigned, accepting descent
Wanting for whispers from beyond firmament

Oh,
I’m running on numb

Oh,
I’m running on numb

Thanks Nick! I miss you dad!