Australian musician Mick Harvey (Boys Next Door, The Birthday Party, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds) sits down with Paul Cashmere for a conversation following his induction as a Chevalier of France’s Ordre Des Arts Et Des Lettres.
Best known for his work with The Birthday Party and The Bad Seeds alongside Nick Cave, Harvey has built a remarkable career as a musician, producer, arranger and songwriter. In this interview, he reflects on the significance of the French honour and how his long-running project translating the songs of Serge Gainsbourg helped introduce the legendary French artist to English-speaking audiences.
Harvey explains the meticulous process behind translating Gainsbourg’s complex lyrics, revealing how he worked to preserve rhyme, metre and meaning—often reconstructing songs from multiple interpretations. He also discusses how advances in technology allowed him to revisit songs decades later that were once considered “impossible” to translate.
The conversation also touches on recognition from Jane Birkin, the evolution of his career from Melbourne’s post-punk scene to international acclaim, and his current creative output across multiple projects.
Harvey remains characteristically modest about the award, describing it as “very flattering” while emphasising that the work itself remains the priority.
This is a rare and insightful interview with one of Australia’s most respected and enduring musical figures, offering a candid look at artistry, translation, and a lifetime in music.
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