Blowtorch Records Podcast

Jesse Bloodgood is an independent songwriter from New York state whose authentic art is recognised for its earnest vocals and real, relatable emotional depth.
We chat to him about his new EP 'Wishful Thinker' and he opens up with honesty about hard-to-talk about themes as we work though each track on the EP. This raises issues such as self-reflection, anxiety, depression, and other topics of vulnerability and aspiration for growth.
As well as Jesse's music we talk about his experience of being an independent artist, self-promoting, crowdfunding his recording with Plaid Dog studio, the intriguing premise of Porchfest and the vast geographical distances involved in following music in the US.
Jesse Bloodgood Bandcamp
Porchfest
Plaid Dog Studio

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