Blowtorch Records Podcast

We're blasting into Summer with a whole host of digital and vinyl releases.  Welcome to the latest in our series which rounds up Blowtorch Records' recent output. In this episode we have 6 singles and 1 album. Each track played in full and the inside scoops on what's coming next.The Ballhaus - The Swedish Railway Orchestra  YouTube video  InstaDecisions - Nixer  vinyl pre order  InstaUnknown - Punching Peaches  YouTube video   Insta  Compilation album vinylAll My Sins - Future West  Insta Lockdown - Static Vision   InstaRun Away - Wyse  Instasynesthesia - Jamie   Insta  Album on Spotify

Episode 33 finds me chatting with Dublin DJ Rob Smith about his electronic project The Swedish Railway Orchestra.With a new album Dance To The Drum Machine due for release in July and lead single The Ballhaus dropping on April 13, it's the perfect time to catch up with Rob. We find out the origin of that great project name; his views on collaboration and DJ botherers; tracks to rescue a dancefloor and a deep delve into his psyche with our either/or section.Plus of course an ace selection of TSRO tracks.TSRO on InstagramTSRO on TwitterThe Reprobates on SpotifyTracks in this episodeThe BallhausNorthern LightsI Love You (But If you Clap When The Plane Lands I'll Leave You)The Freaks Come Out At NightFallen DevilStop Acting Like Bill Drummond

Happy Spring loyal listeners and welcome to the latest in our series which rounds up Blowtorch Records' recent releases.Since the last summary we've had 8 releases - I told you it was going to be a busy 2022. There's a plethora of new music in the pipeline along with some thrilling vinyl releases.For your aural delight, in this episode we have:Television - Some Remain.  Insta   SpotifyDream Come True/B Without U - Check Please!  Insta   SpotifyDowntown - Ash Red. Insta   SpotifyOutsider - Nixer.  Insta  SpotifyYeah! - WAXX.  Insta  SpotifyMoloko - Paper Tigers.  Insta  SpotifyYou May Blare - Liana Forte.  Insta  SpotifyAll tracks are also on the relevant band page on our websiteSubscribe to our newsletter and be the first to know

Episode 31  and we welcome Arthur Murray and Tadhg O'Keeffe from Cork alt-rock trio Ash RedHot on the heels of their recently released third single Downtown, we chat about the formation of the band, evolution to the current line up and future plans. We also get a deep psychological insight into their minds via our either/or section (this may not be entirely accurate!).If you were wondering where the name Ash Red comes from, the inspiration behind The Stupid Song, how and where they record and who their musical heroes are then this is the podcast for you. Plus you get a sneak preview of a demo of a new track Falling Down (Around Us). Ash Red's The Stupid Song appears on our second Blowtorch Records vinyl compilationAsh Red tracks played:DowntownPhilbyThe Stupid SongFalling Down (Around Us) unreleased demoYou can find Ash Red on:InstagramTwitterSpotify

Episode 30 - our pearl anniversary and what an auspicious edition, as for the first time we welcome back a previous guest. To celebrate the release of People Feel from their upcoming six track EP, say hello again to Nixer. They've been quiet of late and now we know why. Peggs and Seán have been busy beavering away in their South London studio, brewing up this enchanting elixir of an EP. Now with the single released and feeling radio love from the likes of Gemma Bradley, Lauren Laverne and Steve Lamacq, Seán and Peggs open up about the making of the EP. Originally it was going to be called Afterglow and released in Summer 2021 but they decided to wait and refocus and now we have the brilliant result. We hear about the difficulties of working in different countries and the energy of now being together in the studio,  collaborating with Shiv, the awkward genesis of People Feel, the tracks they were listening to, the thrill of finding Rude 66 to master the EP and the sheer joy of playing their tracks live.There will be a 12" 45rpm vinyl release of the EP in late April. A previous track Magnolia Mouth appears on our first Blowtorch Records vinyl compilationNixer Tracks playedGentrificationPeople FeelBad Rain ft. ShivDecisionsTracks & artists referenced in the podcastThe Streets - Blinded By The LightsDe Ambasade - Geen GenadeKid Cudi - Solo DoloBoy Harsher - Careful Le Chocolat NoirRude 66

Happy New Year listeners and welcome to our first podcast of 2022 and the latest in our series which rounds up Blowtorch Records' recent releases.It was a busy end to 2021 and 2022 is shaping up to be even busier. There's loads of quality new music coming this year along with exciting vinyl releases.For your listening pleasure in this episode we have:last last nite - Future West.  Insta   SpotifyOut Of Air - WAXX.  Insta   SpotifyWindow Shopping - Undercover Martians. Insta   SpotifyEscape - Static Vision.  Insta  SpotifyPeople Feel - Nixer.  Insta  Spotify All tracks are also on the relevant band page on our website Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to know

In the last edition of 2021, we welcome Wyse to the podcast and to Blowtorch Records. Hailing from Portsmouth in the UK, Wyse is a singer, songwriter and producer with a live band of the same name. She is driven by a need to express difficult truths; by a visceral need to communicate the life she lives in the time in which she finds herself. Her music showcases poignant, compelling lyrics pitched somewhere between anger and therapy, propelled by memorable melodies, colliding rhythms, growling guitars and fat synths. It combines elements of Bjork, PJ Harvey, Hole and 80s pop into a wholesome brew of musical medicine.Wyse on social mediaInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTubeTracks in this episodeRhythm She KnowsSwitch Of My ControllerDrownNot That Sorry

Keeley, the band, are fronted by Keeley Moss and describe their sound as a blissful buffet of dreampop and psychedelic rock. She describes herself as 'A sonic sorcerer like no other. True crime. True music.' Well there is nothing in this podcast to disabuse us of this and all the better for it.  It's an indie-inspired, contrarians' conversation about why she prefers to be on the fringes yet also loves mainstream pop. Ranging from Bananarama to Nirvana via The Smiths, and always with the influence of Inga Maria Hauser driving her on, it's a life-affirming story of someone finding their place in the World.  Someone becoming who they are.Tracks playedThe Glitter and the GlueNever O'ClockTo a London SunriseNever Here Always ThereLast WordsBandcampSpotify InstagramThe Keeley Chronicles

The third podcast in our series which rounds up recent releases from Blowtorch Records.Opening up with the title track from the brilliant new Jagged Baptist Club album Temptation Death House we continue with these singles: Half Cut - South Wales four piece The RiversBlue Light Trails - Belfast alt-rockers Paper TigersBilly? - new experimental punk band from Galway Punching PeachesI've Got This Feeling - Amsterdam-based Canadian Keith MosfetDust out of Your Disorder - Helsinki word & sound artist Liana ForteLinks mentioned in the podcast:Gauzy Records on Bandcamp Jagged Baptist Club cassette samplerBlowtorch vinyl compilation

A quarter century of podcasts! And no better way to celebrate than with our queen of European electronica Liana Forte. Liana is  a word, sound and expression artist living in Finland but originally from Kazakhstan. Since unlocking her creativity earlier this year, and inspired by her muse Kate Bush, she has crafted nine unique slabs of poetry set to an electronic backing.We hear how she had no choice but to study music once her dancing was cruelly cut short; how her father's vinyl collection, although technically off limits to her, fired her love of Western music; how Asian folk music influences her and we discuss Berlin and Kraftwerk. All this with our new in-depth either/or section.One of my favourite podcasts.Liana is on Instagram and Twitter LinkTree for all Liana's  channelsThe Soft Cell remix is on Spotify here Music played in this episodeIf I couldDisorderMe And My Godi'm programmedDust Out Of Your Disorder

Punching Peaches recently joined Blowtorch Records and so you can get to know the three of them (Naoise, Jack & Conor), their roles in the band and what makes them tick, here's a handy guide all wrapped up in episode 24 of the podcast.It features their two singles to date (Wristwitch and Maggots), a track from the previous incarnation of the band Fro (Stacy), and some unreleased demos.All this plus an in-depth interrogation in our new either/or segment; details on a new release and Galway gig; insights into their songwriting process and why Jack is barred from Monroes.Essential listening.Punching Peaches socialsInstagramFacebook TwitterSpotifyTracks played in this episodeMaggotsWristwitchStacy (by Fro)Full Goose (demo)Unknown (demo)

The second podcast in our series which rounds up recent releases from Blowtorch RecordsOpening up with  a short excerpt of Wristwitch, the first single from new signing Punching Peaches, you'll then hear these mighty tracks:Vows - new Belfast shoegaze band VirginsShallow Minds - Dublin melodic post punk TV PeopleHaunted By The Night - LA based noise merchants Jagged Baptist Clubi'm programmed - Helsinki word & sound artist Liana FortePrints - North Wales psych rock outfit Moondogand a short clip of Cian O'Dowd's upcoming release She Don't CareLinks mentioned in the podcast:Vows reviewsShallow Minds reviewsJagged Baptist Club cassette samplerLiana Forte podcast with Anthony WallMoondog 'Stitch of Stares' on BandCamp

Something different for episode 22 - no music it's The Talkies only. Our guest is Daniel Fox from Dublin's avant garde art noise makers Girl Band.I talked to Daniel in a Dublin thunderstorm and our chat is shot through with the sound of seagulls, rain and thunder. Also with many thoughtful and insightful views on his influences, how Girl Band come up with their songs and his work as a producer for the likes of Sprints, Turnstiles and Bullet Girl.From being scared as a kid by The Prodigy's Firestarter, through his first Strokes-alike band to opening the door to an arsenal of new sounds on their albums Holding Hands With Jamie and The Talkies, it's a fascinating listen. You'll also hear about his bad clarinet playing and why he has an unusually high number of Emerson, Lake and Palmer albums.They are working on new tunes and have gigs coming up in September in the UK - in the meantime listen in for your Girl Band fix.Girl Band on SpotifyGirl Band websiteGirl on Instagram

Dublin's TV People are killing it on all channels at the moment as they announce their new EP (digital August 26, vinyl on pre-order now),  a return to live gigs and inclusion in Ireland's prestigious Music Week in October.So no better time than now to catch up with Paul and Brendan from the band for episode 21 of the podcast. We discuss how they get the signature TV People sound; why putting themselves under pressure works for their songwriting; the music that influenced and inspires them; working with producers such as Dan Doherty and Caesar Edmunds, and floating around in a deflating dinghy on the River Liffey.  All in a day's work for a band that's going places. TV People Socials InstagramFacebookTwitterTracks played in this episodeNothing MoreStringKitchen SinkingOut of the SilenceShallow Minds

For episode 20,  we've started a new strand in the podcast. Rather than chatting to a guest, we have done a review of recent releases on the label. There's some extra inside info chucked in - and a sneak preview of an upcoming release. Each track is played in full too as Eric B and Rakim nearly said.It's short and snappy at 20 minutes - just the right length to get your new music fix while enjoying a cuppa and a cig.Tracks playedMoondog - It's BreathingTV People - Out Of The SilenceCheck Please! - I Want You To Be HappyStatic Vision - GrapevineJagged Baptist Club - Haunted By The Night

In a first for the Blowtorch podcast, this edition finds me talking to an Emmy winner.  Anthony Wall is a musician, published songwriter, audio engineer and podcaster based in Sligo, Ireland. He was a member of the Emmy Award winning studio crews for NBC's broadcasts of the London 2012 and Sochi 2014 Olympic games.Milk Harbour is his current project which, as Anthony says "is me reclaiming my love of music after years of burnout from the disappointments of my early attempts to make music more than a hobby."In a wide ranging chat we cover the new democratic music model and the egregious major labels; being on the lineup when The Script got signed; how moving back to Ireland and a Julia Jacklin track fired his creativity; and his recently released album  Milk Harbour vol. 1. Vol.1  is a beautifully crafted and produced set of songs with some real standout moments and a couple of surprise twists. And the lyrics are deliciously dark and thoughtful throughout as you'll hear from the featured songs. Anthony's website is here  Milk Harbour vol.1 is on BandcampOur review of Milk Harbour Vol. 1 is hereMusic in this episode:Desperate TwinsFrancesca (Undercover Martians)Self Destruction (Hitchcock Blondes)All Things To All MenButterfly1981The Preacher's Daughter Acoustic (Hitchcock Blondes)

Episode 18 finds me chatting to Marc Raftery, the frontman from Galway fire starters Slyrydes. Starting out in 2019 Marc, Mark, Eoin (Fuz) and Paul have released a clutch of brilliant singles and built up a rabid following with incendiary live shows.Forthright, funny, passionate and empathetic, Marc delivers his opinions on everything from mental health provision in Ireland, politics and national broadcasters to country music, The Coronas and Connemara TDs. He clearly thinks and cares deeply  - including about Slyrydes which for the four members seems to be as much a mission as a band. They have a vinyl single coming soon (update from the recording - test pressings have arrived!) comprising Boy In The Debs Suit and I Claim To Be Intelligent. Later this year, not only can we look forward to seeing them live, we  will hear their debut album What Happens If You Get Happy. Oh yeah!Web: slyrydes.comInsta: @slyrydesFB: @slyrydesMusic in this episodeI Claim To be IntelligentBoy In The Debs SuitMental HealthBlue (NewDad)Dangerous Animals

It's almost summer so where better to head than to our Celtic cousins in Cornwall? Home of surfing, pasties, tin mines and ferocious yet melodic noise duo WAXX. They line up as Lee Matthews on vocals & bass/guitar and Bubs Taylor on drums & vocals. They have been described as 'indie rock with a twist of dance and chants’ and 'a supersonic landscape of sound'. Listen for yourself - it's true!I had a great chat with Lee who tells us how they get their supercharged sound, lets us into some WAXX secrets and their plans for new releases and gigs. As always great music guaranteed.The live-recorded video Lee mentions is on YouTube WAXX are on Instagram, Facebook and Spotify

Rather than music, we're on a photography tip for this episode. I had a great chat with award winning Galway photographer Enda Burke who produced his brilliant 'Homebound With My Parents' series during the various lockdowns in Ireland.Originally a street photographer, he was forced by the pandemic to pivot to a more (home) studio-based approach. This fostered his creative, kitsch side and resulted in the lockdown series and a collaborations with Galway publishers Coffeewerk + Press; an article in Italian Rolling Stone magazine; and photoshoots with Galway dream popsters NewDad.Enda tells us how it all started, offers insights into some of his working methods and also shares some of his musical inspirations. Barbie Girl by Aqua - who'd a thunk. As the series draws to a natural close, we hear what this talented lensman has lined up as a bright future beckons. His parents are hoping it doesn't involve more rearranging of their living room furniture.You can find Enda on Insta here

It's episode 15 folks and to celebrate this milestone we bring you our first podcast recorded in person. Not a Zoom call in sight. Could this be the future?In this edition, we're delighted to be chatting to Galway musician Rory Ryan. Once a purveyor of guitar-based indie rock with Bob Skeleton, he has now returned to his native keyboards and delivered his debut release - EP1. Eschewing the tropes of most modern pop, he has delivered a set of intelligent, slightly world-weary yet uplifting tracks reminiscent of Pet Shop Boys, Tame Impala or MGMT.He reveals how came to produce shimmering dreamy pop songs, some of his song writing secrets and how sharing a rehearsal space with the likes of NewDad can be an inspiration. And we definitely get to the bottom of what post-punk is! All that and great music guaranteed.Connect with Rory on Instagram here and on listen on Spotify here