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 founded in Galway, Ireland in 2019. Associated primarily with Ireland's punk, post-punk, shoegaze, alt rock and electronica scenes, the label has released music by artists including Adore, Rob Smith's Swedish Railway Orchestra, Search Results, The Savage Hearts (led by Evan Walsh from The Strypes), and Paranoid Visions.

History

Beginnings

Setup by Richard Blowes (also known by his married name Burke) at the start of 2019 in Galway, Ireland, within six months, he took on the role of manager for the Galway punk band Turnstiles. The band's debut EP was the first physical release for the label and was released on both vinyl and CD.

2022–2024

The label's roster and catalogue expanded during this period with more Irish acts such as Nixer, TV People, The Swedish Railway Orchestra and Search Results joined the label, each releasing music on vinyl and CD.

2025–present

As the label continued to develop with vinyl releases from Irish bands such as Pebbledash, Slyrydes and Nerves, in May 2025, the label put on its own West x Sound West festival: a showcase of artists associated with the label, at The Róisín Dubh in Galway.

The event featured eight Blowtorch Records acts across two stages, including Adore, Virgins, The Savage Hearts, The Swedish Railway Orchestra and Nerves. The label produced a vinyl compilation record featuring one track from each participating band. The showcase received coverage from The Irish Times, The Connacht Tribune and UK music publication God Is In The TV.

The showcase coincided with a period in which several bands associated with Blowtorch started to receive wider attention. Adore announced on the day of West x Sound West that they were signing with British independent label Big Scary Monsters. In February 2026 The Savage Hearts signed to London-based label Blaggers Records. Blowtorch Records continued to release music by Irish alternative artists during 2025 and 2026 while maintaining its focus on physical editions.

Selected 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 Nerves (EP)
2025 What Happens If You Get Happy? Slyrydes (LP)
2025 To Cast The Sea In Concrete Pebbledash (EP)
2025 Radio Silence The Savage Hearts (EP)
2025 Mirrorism In Athens (EP)
2025 Feel Low Some Remain (EP)
2026 SexyTadhg SlutTrad (EP)

Associated artists

References

  1. ↑ McBride, Cathal. "Lighting the Way: How Blowtorch Records is Helping Shape Ireland's Independent Music Scene". The Thin Air. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  2. ↑ Mason, Julia. "Next Wave #1151: Adore". Clash Music. Clash Magazine. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
  3. ↑ "Hot For 2024 Irish Acts: Search Results". Hot Press. Hotpress Magazine. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  4. ↑ Cardona, Dylan. "On Our Radar Q & A - The Savage Hearts: "This was my little revolt against that, doing my own indie thing"". Hot Press. Hotpress. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  5. ↑ McBride, Cathal. "Lighting the Way: How Blowtorch Records is Helping Shape Ireland's Independent Music Scene". The Thin Air. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  6. ↑ Mason, Julia. "Turnstiles: New Music to Listen Out for in 2021: Punk and Hardcore". 25 Years Later. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  7. ↑ Cartwright, Mark. "EP review - Turnstiles". The Punk Site. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  8. ↑ "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.
  9. ↑ Heyraud, Max. "New Wave Preachers 'Nixer' Release New Single 'People Feel'". FourFourMagazine. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  10. ↑ Marshman, Emily. "TV People release their long-awaited debut EP, "Nothing More"". Buzzkill Magazine. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  11. ↑ Djorde, Miladinović. "The Swedish Railway Orchestra – Dance To The Drum Machine LP". Thoughts Words Action. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  12. ↑ McGrath-Bryan, Mike (23 January 2025). "Pebbledash: Cork alt-rockers in portrait with new EP". Cork Echo. Examiner Echo Group Limited. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  13. ↑ "IN CONVERSATION: Slyrydes - God Is In The TV". 5 December 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  14. ↑ "Behind the music - Nerves". Rte.ie. 12 January 2024.
  15. ↑ Clayton-Lea, Tony. "Events of the week May bank holiday weekend festivals". The Irish Times. The Irish Times DAC. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  16. ↑ O'Connell, Cian (17 April 2025). "Big May Day celebration of blossoming musical talent". Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  17. ↑ "FESTIVAL REPORT: West X Sound West, Blowtorch Records Showcase Festival -Róisín Dubh, Galway, Ireland - God Is In The TV". 7 May 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  18. ↑ Enright, Seamus (15 August 2026). "Heart of the Matter". The Anglo-Celt. Retrieved 25 September 2026.
  19. ↑ "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.
  20. ↑ "Local musician Sean Keenan release new single and EP". Irish Independent. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  21. ↑ McCarney, Damian (13 December 2025). "Setting Hearts racing". The Anglo-Celt. Celtic Media Group. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  22. ↑ Osuna, Hernan. "In Athens drops new EP "Mirrorism"". ChaosZine. Kaaos Digital Group. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
  23. ↑ Mason, Julia. "Some Remain – Feel Low (Blowtorch Records)". God Is the TV Zine. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  24. ↑ Joshi, Tara. "Add to playlist: the high-camp Irish trad of SexyTadhg". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media Limited. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  25. ↑ Niall, Byrne. "Belfast shoegazers Virgins split up and release their final EP". Nialler9. Retrieved 13 September 2026.