Blowtorch Records Podcast
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
Episodes
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 in SWEETS, we rattle through great tale...
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 the free instore June 7
Tracks played in this p...
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 record.
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 of vulnerability and aspiration for growth.
...
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 sometimes widen out to show how those s...
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, ranging from established artists such as...
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 available on a 12" vinyl LP via B...
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,...
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 a...
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 talk...
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 Aust...
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 experi...
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 t...
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 inspi...
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 Hea...
"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 gre...
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 roa...
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...
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 ...
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