Blowtorch Records Podcast

Goldbug is the moniker of Irish/French artist Danilo Ward. As he releases his debut LP we have a fascinating chat about his upbringing in a religious commune in the quiet isolation of rural Provence, his love of insects and animals and how all this has fed into a stunning collection of songs. Goldbug vinyl album Goldbug Instagram Goldbug Spotify Tracks played in this episode: Aqueduct Blink Backya...

A mere four years after our collaboration started with Japanese Jesus' mighty 2022 single Bus Weirdo , we chat to frontman Bertie Kelly on all things JJ related; in particular their recent accidental debut album A Wall To Climb Over and its CD release. From being flown to London aged 17 to play for industry titans to knocking out two albums in a year, as well as a techno side project and being...

Joe Brody and Jasper Ryan from Dublin alt rock four piece Wifeswap join us to discuss the writing and making of their debut EP Digging. The EP releases on May 28 on streaming platforms and a Blowtorch Records vinyl record. The band play a launch gig in Dublin's Thomas House on May 30 and an instore in Spindizzy Records on June 7. Tickets for launch gig May 30 Tickets for the free instore June...

Sean MacLeod is a Dublin-born musician blending indie pop and alternative rock with philosophical themes. He was a former and founding member of the Dublin based band Cisco and now purveys shimmering pop tunes blended with some avant garde microtonal sounds. We discuss his new album That's When The Earth Becomes A Star and get a sneak preview of music from his already written next album Magic....

One of the charms of running a podcast is that when you love a band, you can have a chat with them. And so, in this episode we talk to Zena, Scott and Will from Portsmouth post punk four piece Noise Factory United. They have recently released their debut EP Visions from the frontier and we discuss the influences, feminist icons, gripes, politics and music which have helped to shape this wonderful...

Jesse Bloodgood is an independent songwriter from New York state whose authentic art is recognised for its earnest vocals and real, relatable emotional depth. We chat to him about his new EP 'Wishful Thinker' and he opens up with honesty about hard-to-talk about themes as we work though each track on the EP. This raises issues such as self-reflection, anxiety, depression, and other topics...

Eoin Devereux is a professor of cultural sociology at Limerick University and also one half of Blowtorch Records' post punk duo Dopamine Fix. Gardening Leave is his debut poetry collection featuring 48 poems which explore themes of working-class experience, social injustice, and nature through a bold, political, and often personal lens. They sometimes deliver explicitly local stories and somet...

Recording in his Dublin Darklands studio, Dan Doherty is one of Ireland's most in demand producers. Before that he was in two well known Irish bands - Ghosts Estates and SICKBOY. He has recently picked up his drumsticks again to play with Galway chaos merchants Slyrydes. Many people might know him for his work on the first three Fontaines DC singles, however his list of credits is incredible,...

In this episode we are delighted to be joined by all four members of Galway band In Athens who recently released their debut EP Mirrorism, four tracks laced with notes of post-punk, shoegaze and fuzzy, experimental rock.  We discuss all things In Athens related, who does what, how many other bands they have been in, Galway weather and whether or not drummer Mosey is a heavy hitter. Mirrorism is av...

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 mast...

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 c...

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 relea...

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 tak...

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...

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 delv...

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 severa...

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, iNNUE...

"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...

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,...

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 M...

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 trac...

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 pla...

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...

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 b...

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...