Ian Nyquist is a musician, composer and field recordist based in Dublin. But his dramatic scores reach beyond the confines of the sometimes claustrophobic cityscapes, taking listeners to the wild and ancient surrounds of more rural landscapes.
Nyquist’s latest album Gilded, released this autumn brings us along on a journey with his rural inspirations, musical collaborations and his arrival at bodhrán playing.
When asked about his connection to the Irish landscape, he says:
“I get a lot of inspiration from being in nature, forests and the barren countryside. I think musically, it’s informed pieces that I made in the past. I’ve included a lot of field recordings in previous bodies of work. I think it elevates it and gives the music a sense of place for the listener.
“Wicklow has been a huge inspiration for me. I think, direct inspiration has come specifically from the barren part of Co Wicklow, mainly, but also the national park and also the forest as well.”
While he plays a number of instruments, the newest addition to his repertoire is the bodhrán. And it soon became the primary focus for his new album.
“I’ve been playing the bodhrán for two years, initially only with the intention of learning a new instrument. But I ended up basing my entire album around the bodhrán, which I’ve learned how to play in my own way and then introduced elements that aren’t traditionally part of the playing style. My intention wasn’t really ever to go out and make a solely trad album. It grew out of an instrument that I’ve always admired and always wanted to try.”
Nyquist continues by detailing a new technique of bodhrán playing, which may be the first of its kind to be used with this instrument.
“I’m playing the bodhrán alongside programmed software that is mirroring my own gestures on the drum. It’s the first time that I’ve heard anybody use this technique before to my knowledge.
“Similarly, there aren’t even very many solo bodhrán albums or bodies of work that I’ve heard to date. But, I can confidently say that this is the first experimental bodhrán album I’ve heard come out of the country. But if somebody else has done something like this, I’d love to hear it as well.”
Artwork for 'Gilded'.
Gilded, his fourth full album to date came out in September. When asked about his thematic influences for the album, Ian says: “It [the album] happened around the same time that I was learning the bodhrán. I was also spending a lot of time exploring the outdoors. I think on a more personal level, it coincided with some major life changes and letting go of certain things.
“The themes around Gilded are similar to what was going on in my life. Transforming, reinventing, finding my place. It was an opportunity for me to find my new voice musically, and reshape what I found valuable in music. As it was developing, I took a lot of inspiration from Irish folk sounds and wanted to pay homage to traditional music, but I wanted to make something new and sonically different.
“There are great vocalists on the album too, which fall into, that whole, motif as well. It tows the line between trad-folk and contemporary.”
Musical genres
Upon first listen, you can hear how much Gilded traverses musical genres – exploring ambient music, trad music, experimental music, sean-nós and ancient historical lilts. However, there is something emphatic that ties each track together.
“Each of the genres explored on the album have a resounding Irishness. Several different Irish genres of music definitely,” explains Ian.
Nyquist features several vocalists on Gilded. Laucan (track – What Else am I For?), Iona Zajac (track – Leis a’ Bhàta) and Lorcán Mac Mathúna (track – Úna Bhán).
“When I reached out to them, I didn’t really give them any direction. I just said, look, I’m making this album, they wrote the lyrics. So, I said I’d love to have your voices on it in some way. Maybe, if you want to contribute something that has personal meaning to you. And each of them contributed something unique on the album.
“Iona’s song is an Irish rowing song called The Black Oaken Boat (Leis a’ Bhàta). And then for Lorcán it’s an 18th century love song that he’s done his own version of (Úna Bhán).
“Laucan provided an original demo that he had (What Else am I For?). When we were trying to figure out the best fit for him on this project, he sent me this demo, and it bridged that gap in terms of flow in the album.”
The album has a mixture of strong instrumental pieces. Nyquist’s exciting take on the bodhrán casts an ethereal chrisom over the primal rhythm of the ancient drum. The trance-like build of Ouroboros, Shroud’s enticing metallurgical deceptiveness and the tension of Alchemy – would be well placed alongside the work of composers like Bobby Krlic (Midsommar) or Robin Carolan and Sebastian Gainsborough (Northmen). Atmospheric, other-worldly with powerful sonic narratives.
Gilded was mastered by the Australian producer, sound engineer and composer Lawrence English, who has worked previously with the likes of Tim Hecker, Ben Frost and Alessandro Cortini, who is well-known for regularly performing with Nine Inch Nails.
“He’s always been on my radar. Lawrence is a big producer. I was surprised when he was actually up for mastering this record and I was even more surprised to hear him say that he enjoyed it and that he was into it. It was really cool to have him reach out and say, ‘Hey. I like this. Here’s my version of it’. He really, put a nice sheen on it with whatever magic equipment he had in his studio out in LA”, says Ian.
To follow Ian’s work, check out his Instagram @ian_nyquist.
Ian Nyquist is a musician, composer and field recordist based in Dublin. But his dramatic scores reach beyond the confines of the sometimes claustrophobic cityscapes, taking listeners to the wild and ancient surrounds of more rural landscapes.
Nyquist’s latest album Gilded, released this autumn brings us along on a journey with his rural inspirations, musical collaborations and his arrival at bodhrán playing.
When asked about his connection to the Irish landscape, he says:
“I get a lot of inspiration from being in nature, forests and the barren countryside. I think musically, it’s informed pieces that I made in the past. I’ve included a lot of field recordings in previous bodies of work. I think it elevates it and gives the music a sense of place for the listener.
“Wicklow has been a huge inspiration for me. I think, direct inspiration has come specifically from the barren part of Co Wicklow, mainly, but also the national park and also the forest as well.”
While he plays a number of instruments, the newest addition to his repertoire is the bodhrán. And it soon became the primary focus for his new album.
“I’ve been playing the bodhrán for two years, initially only with the intention of learning a new instrument. But I ended up basing my entire album around the bodhrán, which I’ve learned how to play in my own way and then introduced elements that aren’t traditionally part of the playing style. My intention wasn’t really ever to go out and make a solely trad album. It grew out of an instrument that I’ve always admired and always wanted to try.”
Nyquist continues by detailing a new technique of bodhrán playing, which may be the first of its kind to be used with this instrument.
“I’m playing the bodhrán alongside programmed software that is mirroring my own gestures on the drum. It’s the first time that I’ve heard anybody use this technique before to my knowledge.
“Similarly, there aren’t even very many solo bodhrán albums or bodies of work that I’ve heard to date. But, I can confidently say that this is the first experimental bodhrán album I’ve heard come out of the country. But if somebody else has done something like this, I’d love to hear it as well.”
Artwork for 'Gilded'.
Gilded, his fourth full album to date came out in September. When asked about his thematic influences for the album, Ian says: “It [the album] happened around the same time that I was learning the bodhrán. I was also spending a lot of time exploring the outdoors. I think on a more personal level, it coincided with some major life changes and letting go of certain things.
“The themes around Gilded are similar to what was going on in my life. Transforming, reinventing, finding my place. It was an opportunity for me to find my new voice musically, and reshape what I found valuable in music. As it was developing, I took a lot of inspiration from Irish folk sounds and wanted to pay homage to traditional music, but I wanted to make something new and sonically different.
“There are great vocalists on the album too, which fall into, that whole, motif as well. It tows the line between trad-folk and contemporary.”
Musical genres
Upon first listen, you can hear how much Gilded traverses musical genres – exploring ambient music, trad music, experimental music, sean-nós and ancient historical lilts. However, there is something emphatic that ties each track together.
“Each of the genres explored on the album have a resounding Irishness. Several different Irish genres of music definitely,” explains Ian.
Nyquist features several vocalists on Gilded. Laucan (track – What Else am I For?), Iona Zajac (track – Leis a’ Bhàta) and Lorcán Mac Mathúna (track – Úna Bhán).
“When I reached out to them, I didn’t really give them any direction. I just said, look, I’m making this album, they wrote the lyrics. So, I said I’d love to have your voices on it in some way. Maybe, if you want to contribute something that has personal meaning to you. And each of them contributed something unique on the album.
“Iona’s song is an Irish rowing song called The Black Oaken Boat (Leis a’ Bhàta). And then for Lorcán it’s an 18th century love song that he’s done his own version of (Úna Bhán).
“Laucan provided an original demo that he had (What Else am I For?). When we were trying to figure out the best fit for him on this project, he sent me this demo, and it bridged that gap in terms of flow in the album.”
The album has a mixture of strong instrumental pieces. Nyquist’s exciting take on the bodhrán casts an ethereal chrisom over the primal rhythm of the ancient drum. The trance-like build of Ouroboros, Shroud’s enticing metallurgical deceptiveness and the tension of Alchemy – would be well placed alongside the work of composers like Bobby Krlic (Midsommar) or Robin Carolan and Sebastian Gainsborough (Northmen). Atmospheric, other-worldly with powerful sonic narratives.
Gilded was mastered by the Australian producer, sound engineer and composer Lawrence English, who has worked previously with the likes of Tim Hecker, Ben Frost and Alessandro Cortini, who is well-known for regularly performing with Nine Inch Nails.
“He’s always been on my radar. Lawrence is a big producer. I was surprised when he was actually up for mastering this record and I was even more surprised to hear him say that he enjoyed it and that he was into it. It was really cool to have him reach out and say, ‘Hey. I like this. Here’s my version of it’. He really, put a nice sheen on it with whatever magic equipment he had in his studio out in LA”, says Ian.
To follow Ian’s work, check out his Instagram @ian_nyquist.
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