Wednesday SXSW Interview: Cian Nugent

Cian Nugent

Guitarist Cian Nugent uses formidable technique to paint expressive instrumental landscapes. Recorded with his band the Cosmos, 2013 breakthrough Born With the Caul blends finger-picked folk and psychedelic rock into an alternately dreamy and lively sonic storm. New LP Night Fiction showcases voice and lyrics as much as guitar.

"Being from Ireland, I wanted to sing in my own accent and not put on a voice, which took a while to get used to and not hate how it sounded," writes Nugent from his home in Dublin. "Once I got over the initial discomfort, I found I loved singing and really enjoyed making this record."

Nugent also takes inspiration from his peers in the new guitar army.

"There's a lot of great players around these days, and I feel lucky to call a number of them friends," he says. "Ryley Walker, Steve Gunn, Angel Olsen, and William Tyler are all big inspirations, and I always enjoy picking up some tricks from them. Stealing a chord, a progression, tuning, or a picking pattern can set you off on a path for a new song, and I love that excitement."

His elation extends to SXSW.

"I had a blast the last time I was at SXSW. A highlight was going to a house show with Ryley Walker that Parquet Courts put on. Ryley won the shotgunning-beer competition, and then we got really lost walking home pissed for hours."