Nick Cave has shared a new blog post about Morrissey on The Red Hand Files, the website where he responds to fan-submitted questions. The fan asked: “Generally, is it possible to separate the latter-day [Morrissey] from his earlier art? More specifically, what are your views on Morrissey, both early days and his newer more ugly persona?”

Cave begins his response with his views on separating art from the artist. “Personally, when I write a song and release it to the public, I feel it stops being my song,” he states. “It has been offered up to my audience and they, if they care to, take possession of that song and become its custodian. The integrity of the song now rests not with the artist, but with the listener.” He adds that an artist’s “views and behaviour are separate issues,” and continues:

Morrissey’s political opinion becomes irrelevant. Whatever inanities he may postulate, we cannot overlook the fact that he has written a vast and extraordinary catalogue, which has enhanced the lives of his many fans beyond recognition. This is no small thing. He has created original and distinctive works of unparalleled beauty, that will long outlast his offending political alliances.

Later in the blog post, Nick Cave writes:

I still believe that despite how upsetting Morrissey’s views may be to the marginalised and dispossessed members of society, or anyone else for that matter, he still should have the freedom to express his views, just as others should have the freedom to challenge them—even if just to know in what guise their enemy may appear. The charge that defending a person’s right to their opinions somehow aligns one with their views makes no sense at all and strikes at the heart of the problem itself—that of conflating the concept of free speech with bigotry. This is very dangerous territory indeed.

Cave closes his letter: