Nick Cave and Warren Ellis release new single "Grief" inspired by fan question on The Red Hand Files

Cave launched his fan Q+A site The Red Hand Files back in 2018, and on his sixth response, Cave was asked a question by a fan called Cynthia about whether he felt his late son Arthur was "communicating in some way".

He told Cynthia in his response that it was a "beautiful question and I am grateful that you have asked it", and discussed how "grief and love are forever intertwined". On communicating with his late son, Cave added, "I feel the presence of my son, all around, but he may not be there. I hear him talk to me, parent me, guide me, though he may not be there. He visits Susie in her sleep regularly, speaks to her, comforts her, but he may not be there. Dread grief trails bright phantoms in its wake."

"Grief", the new 7" single from Cave and Ellis, features the a-side "Letter To Cynthia" - which sees Cave reciting the full response to Cynthia on The Red Hand Files site to music by Ellis - and b-side "Song for Cynthia", which is performed and written by both musicians. A preview of "Letter To Cynthia" is available on the Cave Things Instagram account.

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Stereogum reports that Cave and Ellis recorded the 7" single in London last November.