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 A...
Jun 13, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 64
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 ...
Apr 03, 2025•1 hr 11 min
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 h...
Mar 24, 2025•51 min
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 concer...
Feb 11, 2025•54 min
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 finishe...
Dec 18, 2024•49 min
"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 hi...
Oct 31, 2024•47 min
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. iNNUEND...
Sep 16, 2024•55 min
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 lyr...
Sep 05, 2024•37 min
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 ...
Jun 14, 2024•44 min
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 in...
May 30, 2024•56 min
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 ins...
May 16, 2024•55 min
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 ...
Apr 23, 2024•52 min
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 movin...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr 12 min
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 Tim...
Apr 03, 2024•54 min
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 rec...
Mar 24, 2024•57 min
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 ...
Jan 23, 2024•56 min
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...
Jan 15, 2024•1 hr 1 min
There's a chill in the air as November segues into the advent season. Time to pop your headphones on, pour a glass and cosy up with our review of recent vinyl releases and lookahead to what's coming in 2024. Tracks played: Reggie 2 - Search Results What Is The Point? - Telebox Feel - TV People I Wanna Be Like Pete - WHY BOTHER? Bury Me - OWLS Knuckle Sandwich - Some Remain Links mentioned in the podcast: Record Club incl Search Results LP Search Results LP on Bandcamp Telebox single with sleeve ...
Nov 29, 2023•20 min
Bigmooon Records is an independent record store in Drogheda, Ireland and episode 46 finds me chatting to owner Jason Mahon. From travelling all over Ireland for lockdown record fairs to opening a physical record shop, promoting gigs and helping to kickstart the music scene in the town, we get insights from this super sound independent music obsessive. You can find all Bigmoon Records details on Instagram Mentioned in the podcast: Thirty Three 45 Records Fuzzed Up Astromoon Records Swarm Zine Sto...
Sep 26, 2023•56 min
Episode 45 finds us delving deep into Depression Breakfast - the debut EP from Limerick's Japanese Jesus. It features full playback of each track with background on the band, the songs and the influences behind them. Tracks played Insignificant Tension Eamon Dunphy (Is Always Grand) Lactose Depression Breakfast Links mentioned in the podcast Japanese Jesus on Spotify Japanese Jesus on Bandcamp ThoughtsWordsActions blog review RTE Behind The Music interview Jonah Hoy EP review Buy vinyl...
Jun 21, 2023•20 min
Episode 44 and we are having the craic with Jamie, Colm & Matthew - unfortunately Leo couldn't make it - and get the Some Remain origin story. How they got together and started out with their Rumble Studios video, where the name comes from and the music scene in Sligo. We also mention transport links in Ireland; top spots in the town for shooting videos; best independent music shops in Galway and Sligo; and unexpected musicians who have played there. All this plus a short teaser of their nex...
Mar 29, 2023•42 min
Adore are an Irish garage punk trio made up of Lara Minchin on guitar/vocals, Lachlann Ó Fionnáin on bass/vocals and Naoise Jordan Cavanagh on drums. And we are beyond excited to announce they are hooking up with Blowtorch Records. They have no music on streaming platforms, no videos on YouTube and yet there is already a palpable buzz about this outfit. To celebrate I chatted to the band in their Galway rehearsal space before they headlined a Free House gig in Áras na nGael. For the first time e...
Feb 21, 2023•44 min
Andy Marke runs Fuzzed Up and Astromoon Records as a joint venture with Ian McGlynn. He also hosts DJ nights, promotes Dublin gigs and presents a show on Near FM. Himself and Ian have carved out their own psych/garage/Kraut rock/shoegaze infused niche and it's a top place to spend some time with an ace lineup of bands from Ireland and further afield (Canada, Mexico...). They also have a commitment to keeping music physical with regular limited edition vinyl and cassette releases. Maybe me and An...
Jan 26, 2023•46 min
In the third of the series we talk to the head of Galway's Rusted Rail Records and Loner Deluxe founder Keith Wallace. He reminds us of what Galway and its music scene was like when he started the label in March 2006 and guides us through the story of finding acts on MySpace, and burning and releasing music on mini CDs. The brilliant thing is that he is essentially still doing the same DIY, community-based thing albeit with updated social media and technology. Keith also plays in several lo fi e...
Jan 03, 2023•1 hr 2 min
The big four oh for the Blowtorch Records podcast and we celebrate by chatting to Emmett from Longford electronic outfit OWLS. His mantra is dark tunes you can dance to. He is searingly honest and gives us a fascinating insight into how he opens himself up and manifests his dark side through the OWLS persona into gothic tales of love and brutality. We also get the inside info on the making of the EP and the five tracks therein. One of my favourite podcast episodes. OWLS on Instagram OWLS on Spot...
Dec 09, 2022•1 hr
Sam Girling is an artist, producer and DJ from Bedford in the UK. He has just released his 13 track Attacca mixtape digitally and it will be available on Blowtorch vinyl in Jan 2023. We chatted with Sam to find out more about him, how he makes his music and in particular this continuous 20 minute mix. He is literally a bedroom producer and it's a fascinating insight into the world of the DIY musician and how he, as he says, keeps the Attacca train going. Big thanks to Sam's dad for having the ac...
Nov 18, 2022•41 min
In the second of the series we talk to ex Turnstiles' bassist and Galway's Free House promoter Jake Tiernan. He guides us through his journey from basic bassist to touring with Turnstiles and how the lack of a place to play prompted him to start Free House. Which I should point out does not mean it is always free to get in. Now working with Luke Mulliez, his rhythm partner in Turnstiles and Montessori, he continues to deliver iconic nights in Áras na nGael with an eclectic line up of Irish bands...
Nov 09, 2022•56 min
In the first of a new series we talk to Galway music promoter John O'Connor who runs the city's A Modern Movement. The aim of the series is to shine a light on the heroes in the shadows. Those who host the small scale shows and events which encourage and develop upcoming bands and where you might see your next new musical love. Although Galway-based, the themes apply to any such place with a thriving sonic sub culture. John guides us through his own not insignificant input to the night time econ...
Nov 02, 2022•50 min
We're back! After a summer break we return with a bang, albeit one with loads of fuzz and reverb on it, as Richard talks to Michael Smyth from Belfast's Virgins about their upcoming shoegaze EP Transmit A Little Heaven . He gives us some great background on the band and the recording of the EP, and goes through each of the 5 tracks with a sneak preview of each. The first release from the EP Signalling is out now - listen on Spotify - and the full vinyl release will be on or around October 14. Or...
Sep 12, 2022•45 min
Back to the chats for this episode as I catch up with Francis Watters - the frontman from Dundalk's alt-fi foursome Future West . They have a new 9 track album Who Will Forgive All My Sins out August 19 digitally and on Blowtorch vinyl and we discuss all aspects of the band and how they got to this exciting point of having an album ready to release. The band has been through several iterations - it started as a 6 piece, went to a solo project and has now settled as 4 piece with John Mellon on ba...
Jun 29, 2022•1 hr 2 min
