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Blowtorch Records is an independent record label based in Galway, Ireland. In this podcast we chat with bands and artists who are on the Blowtorch label and also a selection of our other favourite bands and industry figures. Each episode features music from the band or selected by the guest.
Our podcast was number 12 in the 2025 top 30 Ireland Art podcasts as selected by Feedspot. https://podcast.feedspot.com/ireland_art_podcasts
65 Episodes
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Beaming in from his Orc's Lair studio is Darragh Hansard, one half of funky psych pop duo Unique Freaks, along with his partner in space/time Beth Doyle. With a recent name change from Thee UFO and a brand new album to obsess over (Enjoyment Planted) there's plenty for us to chat about. For example, previous albums Beaming A Moments Reflection and Ponderous Fug; snails; production and mastering work for the likes of Search Results, The Daisy Chain, DUMB POSH HIPPIES and Puck; and err ... glasses.Tracks played:Junk Funk GarbageSurveyorUnconditionally Loving PetsSomebody Special (not Something Special as I said a couple of times - sorry!)LinksOrc's Lair instagramUnique Freaks on SpotifyBuy Enjoyment Planted on BandcampContact Darragh: theeorcslair[at]gmail.com
In this episode we are delighted to welcome Emily Dollery, bassist and lead vocalist for THERAPY HORSE. She tells us her musical story, how the band came together, how the music comes together and the story of their epic 12 hour recording session.THERAPY HORSE are a Cork/Limerick trio bringing a terrific blast of no wave/noise rock/shoegaze energy to the Irish alternative guitar scene. They are completed by Cormac Donovan O'Neill and Eoin Schuch, who are also in Pebbledash. Their debut single LET ME BE CLEAR was released in August 2025 and second single LOVE/MERCY on September 26.THERAPY HORSE on InstagramPowgirl on SpotifyMother of Pearl LP on CDLady Lazarus by Sylvia PlathLive DatesDolans Kasbah Oct 2 with Mother of PearlCork Kino Oct 4 with SkinnerDolans Kasbah Oct 16 with The Low FieldThe Grand Social Nov 20 with Slyrydes
As Galway's thrillingly abrasive yet melodic four piece Slyrydes release their debut album 'What Happens If You Get Happy' five years after it was recorded, we chat to frontman Rafto and bassist Eoin. This is not a inquest into what went wrong, more a celebration that this brilliant album is now available for everyone to hear.A combination of Covid and personal issues scuppered the original release and they don't shy away from talking about the addiction and communication issues which hampered them. But now clean, sober and raring to go they look forward to live dates, a vinyl release and potentially new music. Highly recommended listening.Slyrydes BandcampOrder album vinylSlyrydes on InstagramSlyrydes liveTracks played:Mental HealthProcrastination Is A Fear Of FailureFamous To Five MillionJust For Show
Taking time out from a busy schedule as the band rehearse for the recording of their debut album, accordion maestro Finn Ó Mainnín guides us through all things Cardinals. A Cork band with heart, soul and principles. They continue to develop their unique sound on latest single 'Big Empty Heart' and look forward to a big festival Summer including supporting Fontaines DC. Then it's an Autumn tour taking in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. Flying high and unionising romance.Cardinals' InstagramAll gig tickets
In our latest episode we are heading over the Atlantic to chat to Andy Gesner. Andy is the founder and president of HIP video promotion based in New Jersey in the USA.His company have promoted over 4800 music videos, starting with someone called Johnny Cash and his video for Hurt. Interestingly they have turned down over twice that number which for us that marks them out as a company of integrity.Andy shares over 20 years of experience in this field and has great advice and tips on how up and coming artists can produce and promote videos which will help them carve out a career in a tough industry. As he says "if you are a music creative your visual is your most potent and powerful piece of marketing currency"You don't get a second chance to make a first impression!HIP websiteHIP on Instagram
Pebbledash are a six piece outfit from Cork who effortlessly and thrillingly mix shoegaze, dream pop, noise and traditional Irish music. In this episode I am joined by Cormac and Fionnbharr from the band to discuss their debut EP 'Four Portraits Of The Same Ugly House'.As we play excerpts from of each of the four tracks on the EP (the physical versions also have 2 bonus tracks), we delve into their creative process, find out what the slightly cryptic title means and why they are named after a house cladding material. The EP was recorded and produced by Aidan O'Mahoney at Kitten Lane Studios in Cork and mastered by Pete Maher. Pebbledash InstagramPebbledash tour ticketsBuy EP on vinyl
During lockdown, ex Revelino guitarist and Vicar Street promoter Bren Berry oversaw the re-release of the band's debut album on vinyl. Their songs were written by Brendan Tallon. With the encouragement of his best mate (and also Brendan's brother) Ciarán, he has stepped up to the microphone with an album of his own songs 'IN HOPE OUR STARS ALIGN'.In this episode we play several songs from the album and chat to Bren about what inspired him to start writing songs and what fires his lyrical concerns. As he says, he views these tracks as protest songs wrapped in love letters post marked Dublin City. The 12 songs cover personal reflections on family, friendship, home, resilience, music & creativity, and address some of the social & political crises that we are living through in these troubled times. The album title comes from 'Fire Drill' and is inspired by Seamus Heaney’s 'The Cure At Troy'. Album on SpotifyBuy vinyl on BandcampBren Berry InstagramTracks PlayedCome AliveBlack SatelliteWinter SongNeon LightsFire Drill
To mark the announcement of the inaugural West x Sound West Blowtorch Records showcase, Michael Smyth from Old Crows Promotions and Belfast shoegaze band Virgins turned the tables and made me a guest on our own podcast. West by Sound West (WxSW) is on May 1 2025 and features 8 bands across 2 floors of Galway's Róisín Dubh. Virgins and Adore are co-headliners and joined by Nerves, Nixer, iNNUENDO, Some Remain, The Savage Hearts and Scattered Ashes. Rob Smith from Swedish Railway Orchestra finishes the night with one of his legendary DJ sets.WxSW tickets (early bird €10)It is a joint promotion between Blowtorch Records, A Modern Movement and Old Crows Promotions
"It's just a punk record with me shouting my head off"Meryl Streek understates his impact as his outspoken oratory, delivered over a mix of melodic electronica and punk, blasts his chosen targets - the catholic church, cover-up culprits and capitalism. His new album Songs For The Deceased hits just as hard as 2022 debut 796 and is earning him swathes of new fans as well as critical acclaim and radio play.He's on great form as we sit down before his upcoming UK tour and discuss what inspires him and makes him angry, and why he chose to perform using only a laptop, a microphone and a torch. We also discover he has never liked his voice and that 796 originally wasn't meant to have any vocals on it. Listen in for more great stories from the man behind the contact lenses as he completes his third album. You will find Meryl Streek mostly on Instagram and you can find all album and gig information via his LinktreeSongs playedGambling DeathFull Of GraceCounting SheepDogsDear James by Burnt Out - check it out on YouTube
Dublin art rock four piece iNNUENDO have released their debut EP 'on occasion' and to mark the erm.. occasion we are joined by frontwoman and pianist extraordinaire Nora Ronan along with drummer Daniel Dennehy who also plays piano along with several other instruments. We are not worthy!Listen in as we play the tracks and go for a deep dive into the making of the EP - their reflections, the inspirations, the bumps in the road and a great story about the string quartet which became a duo. iNNUENDO on SpotifyiNNUENDO on InstagramBuy the 'on occasion' CDKeelin Sutcliffe on Instagram (artwork)Launch gig ticketsTracks playedclear motiondon't ask awayastros bluebrake fasteron occasion
Never ones to shy away from diving into deep waters, in this episode we delve into Black Poison Morning - the debut album from Limerick's His Father's Voice.They offset dark lyrics and edgy instrumentation with soaring pop melodies and epic crescendos. The band comprise singer/guitarist Ash O’Connor, lead guitarist James Reidy, and rhythm section of Laya Meabhdh Kenny on bass and Cian McGuirk on drums. Ash and James join us for the podcast in which we go through the album track by track for lyrical and musical insights and inspirations - "lyrically it's purposefully quite dark with obnoxiously dark titles"Follow the band and get latest updates on their Instagram profile and on their Bandcamp pageThe vinyl album is available to order in our online storeTracks playedThe BluesNight TerrorsThrough The ThornsForgot To FeedInterior DecoratorBreathlessArm's LengthEmotional Embargo
SCATTERED ASHES are an angular, abrasive post punk foursome originally from Dublin but now based in the UK. They have released their second EP All That Is Solid Melts Into Air and we chatted to frontman Rob Dalton and went through the EP track by track. Despite suffering from a heavy cold, he gave us great background and insights into this essential listening EP. You will also find out which track was inspired by The Eye Of The Tiger, who Rob’s favourite drummer is and what the hell the X-files have got to do with it.At times angry, defiant, reflective, sad and optimistic, this EP finds them taking on the world. Incorporating guitars, samples, synths and sequencers, their expanded audio arsenal has melodies to match and attitude in abundance.SCATTERED ASHES on InstagramSCATTERED ASHES on SpotifyVinyl EP in our online store
Dublin slowcore four piece of all living things have released their second EP Cold Plunge. We chatted to Eunice and Danilo from the band on the day they played a support slot for English Teacher in Dublin, in preparation for their own headline tour supporting the May 31 release.Cold Plunge has a slower more intense and emotional feel than their debut On Familiar Ground; as we go through and play the EP track by track, we learn why that is, how they felt during the recording process and what inspired their songwriting. Buy Cold Plunge on vinylof all living things on Instagramof all living things on Spotify
Nixer are Seán Keenan and Simon Gardner and they deliver dancefloor friendly, uptempo and visceral electro synth wave which is delicately balanced with the perfect amount of pop sensibilities.On the day that their new EP I hit the town and the town hit me back was released, we had the craic with Seán and went through the EP track by track. It was recorded, produced and mixed in bedrooms in London, LA, and New York City (and Drogheda as we find out). This deep dive gives us the skinny on the inspirations, recording processes and feelings (some good, some bad!) about the songs - all in Seán's unique, high energy style. Highly recommended.Nixer on Instagram Nixer on SpotifyVinyl record available hereTracks played are:1. Hit The Town2. Second Hand3. Voices4. The Book5. Saccharine Smile6. Fast One7. Hit Me Back
What a delight to talk to Rob Flynn aka Rob Rua in episode 53 of the Blowtorch Records podcast. Rob is our guide to all things heavy bass and his passion, which was ignited by the arrival of dubstep in the 00s, shines through.With no less than four record labels (Rua, Spheres, Foxy Jangle and latest Ar Ais Arís) and a thriving club night in Galway, we were lucky to pin him down for an hour!The brilliant artwork for this episode is by DJ Egg. The opening track is Laced Up by Doubt from the new Ar Ais Arís Volume 1 release on their Bandcamp page.Ar Ais Arís - Big soundsystems. Big energy. Small safe spaces. Run by Alannah, Hannah, Robin & RobAr Ais Arís BandcampAr Ais Arís InstagramDJ Egg Instagram
Michael Smyth from Belfast's Virgins guides us track by track through the band's debut album nothing hurt and everything was beautiful. Virgins have quickly become one of Ireland's most promising bands, flying the flag for Irish shoegaze since their sold out and critically acclaimed debut EP transmit a little heaven in 2023. The eagerly anticipated debut album is out now digitally and on a pressing of 300 starburst vinyl. The album finds the band exploring a wider sonic palette, seamlessly moving between the gaze-pop of first single slowly long and disappearer, to the dance influenced softer and the heavy, expansive and ethereal pale fire and tend. Virgins InstagramBuy vinylDublin launch gigBelfast launch gigVirgins on this album were Michael Smyth, Rebecca Dow, David Sloan, James Foy and Brendy McCann. It was recorded at 1980 studios with producer/mixer Jonny Woods and mastered by Jon Moorehead at Moosetronix Mastering.
Here at Blowtorch Records we love a deep dive and episode 51 is devoted to the divine sounds of The Swedish Railway Orchestra's new album Once Upon A Time...Rob Smith is the man behind the project and he is our guide as we go through the album track by track and hear the influences and inspirations behind the project as a whole and the tracks individually.The vinyl album is available here Tracks played are:The Chelsea Hotel Forever And A Day You'll Never Take Me Alive Obelisco Once Upon A Time In Palestine I Saw The City People Will Let You Down Motions Of The Tone Circus
Seabass Vinyl is Scotland's first ever, and currently only, vinyl pressing plant. As vinyl is our favourite obsession there's no better subject for the half century of Blowtorch podcasts than Seabass co founder Dave Harvey.Dave and his wife Dominique have setup a state of the art pressing plant 20km from Edinburgh which aims not only to deliver short vinyl runs to up and coming bands (and Taylor Swift if she asks nicely) but also be the most sustainable facility in the world.We pressed our recently released Swedish Railway Orchestra album with Seabass and were delighted with the result. So here's our chat covering everything you wanted to know about vinyl production but were afraid to ask.Mentioned in the podcast:Seabass Vinyl websiteSeabass Vinyl InstagramFish on a Friday podcastIndicator RecordsStamper DiscsBarry Grint masteringCalum Malcolm audio
One away from the half century episode and we are chatting to Kyle Thornton, the frontman from Mayo/Galway trio, and contender for loudest band in Ireland, Nerves.Fresh from a triumphant continental debut in Paris and with recent single Empty garnering rave reviews, Kyle is in fine form. He charts the band's trajectory, from meeting drummer Adam aged 12 to adding bass (and flute?) maestro Charlie in college to now being on the cusp of releasing their debut EP on vinyl. And being recognised as one of the most devastating live acts in the country. With debut EP Glórach being released in March, 2024 is going to be Nerves' breakthrough year. Links mentioned in the podcastThe Tracks Society Paris backstage podcast CR's video vaultsGlórach vinyl pre orderNerves on InstagramNerves on Spotify
The Savage Hearts is the new project of Evan Walsh, former drummer of The Strypes. Episode 48 finds us chatting with him deep in the Cavan countryside as he casts his mind back to his formative musical experiences and influences; and brings us right up to date with the imminent release of The Savage Hearts' debut vinyl single Gang War/Speed Kills.Evan is passionate, enthusiastic and all about the music. Listen as he tells us about how he nearly missed out on The Letterman Show; his Dr Feelgood obsession; how for him Cavan is the Canvey Island of Ireland; find out who Eddie Cruizer is, and get the inside scoop on new single Gang War.LinksVinyl pre orderThe Savage Hearts on SpotifyThe Savage Hearts on Insta
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