Blowtorch Records

Blowtorch Records
Founded2019
GenrePost punk, punk, shoegaze, and electronica
Country of originIreland
Official websitehttps://www.blowtorchrecords.com/

Blowtorch Records is an independent record label based in Galway, Ireland. The label is known for its focus on physical releases and has worked with various Irish bands, including Adore, Rob Smith's Swedish Railway Orchestra, The Savage Hearts (led by Evan Walsh from The Strypes), Virgins, and Paranoid Visions.

History

Blowtorch Records was founded by Richard Burke at the start of 2019 in Galway, Ireland.[1] The label was initially established to provide digital promotion for new bands and artists and became associated with the Irish music scene, particularly in genres such as punk, post-punk, shoegaze, and electronica. Within six months of its founding, Burke took on the role of manager for the Galway punk band Turnstiles, which strengthened the label's ties to the local music community.[2][3][4]

The label promotes a "DIY ethic" and features a logo inspired by Soviet propaganda. It aims to support unsigned artists by providing digital platforms and physical releases, including vinyl, CDs, and cassettes. The label serves as a hub for independent Irish musicians, facilitating promotion and offering physical releases for their work. It is associated with a diverse music scene that includes guitar-driven music and electronica. Additionally, the label produces a podcast that features interviews with artists and figures in the music industry.[5][6]

Releases

Year Album name Artist
2021 Nothing More TV People (EP)
2022 People Feel Nixer (EP)
2022 Dance To the Drum Machine The Swedish Railway Orchestra (LP)
2024 Collected Works 2019-2022 Turnstiles (LP)
2024 Glórach[7] Nerves (EP)
2025 Iarmhaireacht Nerves (EP)
2025 What Happens If You Get Happy[8] Slyrydes (LP)
2025 The Foreign Game Ash Red (LP)
2025 To Cast The Sea In Concrete Pebbledash (EP)
2025 Radio Silence[9] The Savage Hearts (EP)
2025 Mirrorism In Athens (EP)
2025 Feel Low Some Remain (EP)
2025 Hiraeth Puck (EP)
2026 The Blah Biz Cabaret The GOPNIKS (LP)
2026 Digging Wifeswap (EP)
2026 five songs Delivery Service (EP)
2026 SlutTrad SexyTadhg (EP)

List of current artists

  • Ash Red
  • Dopamine Fix[10]
  • The GOPNIKS
  • iNNUENDO[11]
  • In Athens[12]
  • Nerves[13]
  • Pebbledash[14]
  • Puck
  • The Savage Hearts
  • Silk
  • Slyrydes
  • Some Remain
  • The Swedish Railway Orchestra[15]
  • TV People

List of previous artists

  • Adore[16]
  • Turnstiles
  • Virgins

References

  1. ↑ Cathal McBride. "Lighting the Way: How Blowtorch Records is Helping Shape Ireland's Independent Music Scene". thethinair.net. Retrieved 2024-12-24.
  2. ↑ "FESTIVAL REPORT: West X Sound West, Blowtorch Records Showcase Festival -Róisín Dubh, Galway, Ireland - God Is In The TV". 2025-05-07. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  3. ↑ O'Connell, Cian (2025-04-17). "Big May Day celebration of blossoming musical talent". Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  4. ↑ "Richard Blowes, The Founder and Owner of the Galway Independent Label Blowtorch Records, Tells Us About the History of the Label and Its Expansion". postburnout.com. 18 March 2025.
  5. ↑ "Ep 63 - The power of video promotion with Andy Gesner from HIP by Blowtorch Records Podcast". Spotify for Creators. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  6. ↑ "Local musician Sean Keenan release new single and EP". Irish Independent. 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  7. ↑ "Nerves - Glórach (Blowtorch Records) - God Is In The TV". 2024-03-11. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  8. ↑ "IN CONVERATION: Slyrydes - God Is In The TV". 2025-12-05. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  9. ↑ McCarney, Damian (2025-12-13). "Setting Hearts racing". The Anglo-Celt. Celtic Media Group. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  10. ↑ "Behind the music - Dopamine Fix". Rte.ie. 2025-10-01.
  11. ↑ Piater, Zoé (2025-02-20). "West x Sound West - A Celebration of Blowtorch Records featuring Adore & Virgins to be held in Galway". IMRO. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  12. ↑ "NEWS: In Athens Release Debut Single 'Or Anything' - God Is In The TV". 2025-08-15. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  13. ↑ "Behind the music - Nerves". Rte.ie. 2024-01-12.
  14. ↑ "Pebbledash: Cork alt-rockers in portrait with new EP". echolive.ie. 2025-01-23. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  15. ↑ "The Swedish Railway Orchestra - Dance To The Drum Machine (Blowtorch Records) - God Is In The TV". 2022-07-26. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  16. ↑ "The Goo Magazine no. 12-2024". www.e-magin.se. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
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