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I was going to choose Murder Ballads, which was my way into Nick Cave. I was shown that record by a mate at school and I had never really experienced anything like it. It was always the storytelling that drew me in. I know this now, but I didn’t know at the time that some of the songs are old American folk standards that he’s reworked and done in his own way, mixed with new stories. Straight away I felt very immersed in these very dark stories, along with that vocal that is instantaneously recognisable. 

Ultimately, I went for Ghosteen because it has this level of peace to it. The album was made in the wake of tragedy, [after the death of Cave’s teenage son in 2015]. The story goes that he was finding it hard to be creative and live in the world of the imagination again. But then he made this, and it’s such a magical celebration of the imagination. Hearing the beginning of ‘Spinning Song’ at the top of the album, you know exactly where you are. You know you’re going to be submerged into somebody’s world. You know you’re going to be taken good care of, which is nice.

I’m always excited to hear anything new by Nick Cave, whether solo or with the Bad Seeds. And I love Warren Ellis. One of the only times I’ve ever lost my shit when meeting somebody was meeting Warren Ellis at the end of a pier in Venice. We’re not talking too long ago – literally about three years ago. I walked up to him, and I was like, Mr. Ellis, I just want to say I’m a huge fan of your work. He had no idea who the fuck I was, and why should he? He said thank you so much and he got on a boat. I completely fell to my knees, a gibbering wreck. I almost forget my own name.