Blowtorch Records Podcast

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 stories can intersect with global politics and contemporary social issues. He reads from the collection and gives his trenchant views on a wide range of topics from poetry itself to Morrissey, The Fall, the demise of universities, the self aggrandisement of political parties and class structures in Ireland and the UK. More details of Gardening Leave

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 The Jesus and Mary Chain, Hope Sandoval and Denzel Curry to raw, young talent bringing the latest rap, post punk or hip hop. P.S. if you do listen, sick boy is a lyric from The Stooges' Death Trip - no need to send a postcard!! The podcast opens with October and closes with Wake Up both by Ghosts Estates Darklands website Darklands on Instagram Ghost Estates on Spotify SICKBOY on YouTube

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 Blowtorch Records Tracks played: Or Anything Days Into Days Tides Expiration Marks

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 Garbage Surveyor Unconditionally Loving Pets Somebody Special (not Something Special as I said a couple of times - sorry!) Links Orc's Lair instagram Unique Freaks on Spotify Buy Enjoyment Planted on Bandcamp Contact 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 Instagram Powgirl on Spotify Mother of Pearl LP on CD Lady Lazarus by Sylvia Plath Live Dates Dolans Kasbah Oct 2 with Mother of Pearl Cork Kino Oct 4 with Skinner Dolans Kasbah Oct 16 with The Low Field The 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 Bandcamp Order album vinyl Slyrydes on Instagram Slyrydes live Tracks played: Mental Health Procrastination Is A Fear Of Failure Famous To Five Million Just 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' Instagram All 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 website HIP 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 Instagram Pebbledash tour tickets Buy 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 Spotify Buy vinyl on Bandcamp Bren Berry Instagram Tracks Played

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 Linktree Songs played Gambling Death Full Of Grace Counting Sheep Dogs Dear 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 Spotify iNNUENDO on Instagram Buy the 'on occasion' CD Keelin Sutcliffe on Instagram (artwork) Launch gig tickets Tracks played clear motion don't ask away astros blue brake faster on 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 page The vinyl album is available to order in our online store Tracks played The Blues Night Terrors Through The Thorns Forgot To Feed Interior Decorator Breathless Arm's Length Emotional 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 Instagram SCATTERED ASHES on Spotify Vinyl 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 vinyl of all living things on Instagram of 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 Spotify Vinyl record available here Tracks played are: 1. Hit The Town 2. Second Hand 3. Voices 4. The Book 5. Saccharine Smile 6. Fast One 7. 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 & Rob Ar Ais Arís Bandcamp Ar Ais Arís Instagram DJ 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 Instagram Buy vinyl Dublin launch gig Belfast launch gig Virgins 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