Nick Cave Studies (3): Studious Summer

The actual start of the academic year is nigh. Over the past eight weeks, I've read two novels by Cave, listened to his music and watched movies he either wrote or soundtracked (or both). When I wasn't doing that, I was reading and listening to his influences: Faulkner, Nabokov, Hank Williams, Elvis, Johnny Cash et cetera. 

Furthermore, I've been digging deep into OOR's archives to uncover a plethora of Cave (and Cave related) articles and interviews. OOR is the eldest of music magazines in the Netherlands, with a reputation similar to that of NME or Rolling Stone. Over the past 35 years Nick Cave became one of their spearhead artists, spending pages on him with every release (album, compilation, movie, bowel movements).

A page from the OOR Archives (1984)

What I haven't done, is put anything resembling coherent ideas on paper. Everything is cooped up inside my brain waiting (impatiently, I might add) to be thrusted upon the page like splashes of paint on a Herman Brood canvas. I've got notebooks, napkins, and airline sick bags full of doodles, squiggly lines and general braindump.

It's a mess. I need some proper reflection. I need my thesis-supervisor! Thank God school's in session in two weeks. While it might sound like I've gone astray a bit and found myself stuck in the academic marshes, my situation isn't as bad as it might sound. I have at this point a number of fairly clearly defined themes for my thesis.

My thesis will consider one or more of the following subjects: "Spaces of Creation", an investigation in the way that Cave recreates his personal environment in his songs and novels; "Nick Cave's Mythical Beasts (and Where to Find Them)", an investigation of Cave's interest in icons, both religious and secular, and the way he fashions himself as an artist-icon; "Familiar Cave Antics", which might become an estimation of family values as both the honest and satirical center of Cave's literature. Not too sure yet about this one, considering Cave's recent family tragedy. But it's something which runs throughout his work, and thus fairly interesting.

In short, excited to REALLY get underway with this thing. Now if you'll excuse me, Lolita is waiting.

Writer's Update #1

Hi Folks!

So, here's the breakdown of all the writings I've forgotten to post on here in te past 2 weeks:

March 7: The BAMM Argument: OK GO

Every so often my editor Chris Davies and I take a punt at cracking a controversial subject by taking oppossites sides in the conflict. I always enjoy writing these pieces, not only for my love of the form (polemics for everybody, hurray!) but also because it seems to really trigger both Chris and me to really give it our best. I guess we're competitive that way, even though I can't really speak for Chris off course.

This week, following pieces on Justice (pro) and Coldplay (con), I had the pleasure of thrashing OK GO. Read it over at the BAMM.tv BLOG

March 7, 8: 5 Days Off for OOR.nl

For the second year in a row I've been dispatched to review one of Amsterdam's finest electronic festivals, 5 Days Off, held annually at Melkweg and Paradiso. I was present for the opening two days, witnessing sets from the likes of Sleigh Bells, The Field, SBTRKT, Koreless, Falty DL, Kutmah, Krampfhaft, The Gaslampkiller, Jameszoo and Dorian Concept. Fun times, and great music for the most part, even if it wasn't quite as exhilirating as the past year.

Read it at OOR.nl: Day 1 (The Field, SBTRKT ao) and Day 2 (Kutmah, GLK ao)

All in Dutch (sorry foreign amigos!)

I co-wrote these pieces with Harm Groustra (@fresh77); pictures by Remco Brinkhuis (@remcobrinkhuis) and Bart Heemskerk (@bart_heemskerk)

The Field - pic by Remco Brinkhuis

March 10, 11: Festival FabrIQ for OOR.nl

There was a lot more happening that week, so over the weekend I attended the third annual Festival FabrIQ. It was my 2nd year in a row covering the festival, again for OOR. I'm getting fond of building these traditions now I've been in the field of music journalism for a while.

In the three years of its existence, a very nice bunch of indie and folk artists have passed through Den Bosch for FabrIQ. Last year was a blast, with surprising performances from Nils Frahm, SUUNS, Sleep Party People and Cloud Nothings. Looking back I feel this edition was slightly more on the folk side than indie, but a great two day event nonetheless.

Read about it here: Day 1 (Kim Janssen, Idiot Wind, TRIPPP) Day 2 (Damien Jurado, Cass McCombs, Xiu Xiu, Chad Vangaalen ao)

pics, again by the incredible Remco Brinkhuis (@remcobrinkhuis)

Damien Jurado, pic by Remco

That's all folks!