Feature Photo by Tim Mosenfelder
Given that The Black Crowes’ lead guitar spot has been held down by Jeff Cease, Marc Ford, Audley Freed, Luther Dickinson, and Isaiah Mitchell, you could say that when Argentinian-born gunslinger, Nico Bereciartua, joined the band in 2022, he had a lot to live up to.
But Nico Bereciartua had a bit of a leg up, as he had already played with Crowes’ co-leader and co-founder, Rich Robinson’s solo band. Elsewhere, Nico Bereciartua also played with Robinson in The Magpie Salute, which, for those keeping score, featured Marc Ford.
Still, the volatility of the gig, expanse of the stage, fan scrutiny, and the accompanying media exposure meant that Bereciartua would have to saddle up, which he did. He was there for the short-lived slot opening for Aerosmith on their Peace Out world tour, lent a hand with the Crowes’ comeback album, 2024 Happiness Bastards, and the tour that followed.
Now, the Crowes have another new record set to drop, 2026’s A Pound of Feathers. This time, Robinson handled all the guitars in the studio, but Bereciartua is raring to go as far as the tour that’s sure to follow.
As for what makes his style tick, Bereciartua tells ClassicRockHistory.com, “There are many guitarists who were a huge influence on me. Sometimes, I wanted to play like one of them, and sometimes like others. But I think that when it comes to soloing, my biggest influence was Mick Taylor.”
That’s the right company. It’s the same sort of company that influenced his predecessors, Cease, Ford, Freed, and Dickinson, not that Chris and Rich Robinson are asking Bereciartua to be those players. “Something good about the Crowes is that they don’t expect you to play like any of those guys,” he says.
Adding, “You just have to respect maybe a part or a lick, and then you can play how you play. I feel I’m closer to Marc Ford’s style… maybe because those records are the ones I listened to the most.”
Fans will, have been, are, and continue to be hard on the Crowes. For some reason, many won’t accept that the group’s current lineup is valid and capable of standing tall against the ‘90s era that made them famous. And then there’s the fact that so many have come and go before him, but Bereciartua isn’t scared.
“I’ll stick because I really love their music, and I’m easy going,” he laughs. “I don’t know, man. Musically… I don’t know. For me, it’s just about the joy and being grateful for being part of this band.”
What are your first memories of music in your life?
My first music memories in life are from a very young age, since my father was a musician. I remember listening to mix tapes in the car that included songs by Free, Steve Winwood, and Judas Priest. My siblings and I also went to many of his shows when we were little kids. Music has been around forever.
What drew you to the guitar, and what led you to decide what sort of guitar player you wanted to be?
I would say it was that movie, Crossroads. I was 12 years old and watching Karate Kid doing that shit, my brother and I were like, “Hey, Dad, we want to play guitar.” [laughs] But actually, that movie had a huge impact on me because that’s how I discovered Robert Johnson and especially Ry Cooder.
What led you to turn pro, and what were some of your early gigs?
Well, I was lucky enough to have friends who were into music and playing as well, so our best plan on weekends was to go to a rehearsal space to play and drink beer and wine. Then we started to play in some parties, then some clubs, and without even thinking about it that much, I was one of the privileged ones to be able to make a living out of it.
You had an association with Rich Robinson after working with him a bit with The Magpie Salute. Tell us about that.
Yes, I played with his solo band for a year and then one more with Magpie. It is a cool story: he was doing a Q&A on Facebook, I posted a link to a video of me playing one of his songs, and 8 months later, he sent me a Twitter message saying he liked my playing. That’s one of the few things that are good about social media. But it is the proof that you never know what can happen.
Were you a big fan of Rich and Marc Ford growing up? How did they impact you, and what was it like working with them in The Magpie Salute?
I was a huge fan of both of them. I had a band, and we were covering Crowes’ songs, actually, I was playing more of Rich’s role with the open tunings. And then to be able to share a stage, tour, and everything that comes with that was amazing. And when I wasn’t playing with Magpie, I remained friends with Rich, not with Marc Ford.
When The Black Crowes first got back together in 2019, were you called about potentially joining, or did you audition?
No. Rich invited me to the first show at the Bowery Ballroom, and that’s when I first met Chris [Robinson] at rehearsals. And then, we had a great time at a bar celebrating their first show after so many years.
After Isaiah Mitchell left the Crowes, what led to your getting the call to join, and what was the process like integrating in?
Rich called me and said that they were going to do auditions, and that he wanted me to do it. So, two weeks later, I was in LA doing it. [laughs] Fortunately, I got the gig… it was amazing because I had actual dreams about auditioning for them many years before I even met Rich. So, that was a really fucking great moment. [laughs]
Why do you feel Rich and Chris like your style? Why is it a fit for the Black Crowes’ music?
I think that we have so many things in common, not only musically. It’s not only about a style because here in the US, you lift an ashtray and 500 guitarists emerge from beneath. [laughs] But Rich knew, and Chris felt it there. For any of those guitarists, it would be an amazing gig. For me, it was the dream of my life and the knowledge that I would always do it with great passion and respect.
Which of the Crowes’ classic songs are the most fun and challenging to execute, and why?
I love to play “My Morning Song,” “Nonfiction,” “No Speak,” She Gave Good Sunflower,” and Title Song,” to name a few. I wouldn’t say challenging, but there are a couple of songs that maybe are not easy, and we play them very often, every few months.
Tell us about the recording of Happiness Bastards. Rich writes most of the music and tracks a lot of the guitars himself these days, so where did you fit in?
I recorded many acoustic guitars, some slides, and some solos; I played on every song on that album. Everyone made me feel comfortable from minute one. Of course, I was already friends with many of them. Musically, I worked all the time to be comfortable.
On tour, how has your rig, as far as amps, guitars, and pedals, evolved, and how big of an impact has Rich had on your approach to gear?
Rich had a big impact. He was really on it… we went together to look for amps. We tried them, and he hooked me up with people. I’m using a Fender Super Reverb and a Fender Band Master on stage. The guys from Xacctone in Nashville set up my pedalboard.
The Crowes have a new record, A Pound of Feathers, coming out. Once again, Rich probably played point with guitars, so do you get to add much?
They worked differently on this record, so it’s just Rich playing guitars. I’m really looking forward to starting to work with him on the songs to play them live.
What can you say about being in a band with Chris and Rich, two larger-than-life personalities?
It’s a dream come true. To me, it is a privilege. I’m very thankful to be sharing so many experiences and life moments with two of my favorite songwriters, being able to call them my friends, and being part of The Black Crowes.
How do you view the future of The Black Crowes, and how do you see yourself fitting into the puzzle?
It’s the best rock ‘n’ roll band out there. So, I think there’s a great future, and I’m in it for all of it. We are going to be touring this new album all over the place. And back home in Argentina, I’m about to release my third solo album. I’m very happy about everything.
Check out more Black Crowes Interviews and thousands of other interviews and articles, all free and only on ClassicRockHistory.com. Just click on any of the links below……
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An Interview With Nico Bereciartua Of The Black Crowes article published on ClassicRockHistory.com© 2026
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