Galway-based Independent Label streamlines newest in Irish Independent Music  

By Leanne Gleeson

Blowtorch Records- self-described as “the Future Sound of Ireland”- is an independent Galway-based record label igniting the path of the nation’s next generation of indie artists. Since its establishment in 2019, Blowtorch Records has served as a boutique home for Irish bands of distinction, aiming to promote Irish punk, post-punk, shoegaze and electronica, with a focus that goes beyond just being a passive record label.  

Originally hailing from Bradford, Yorkshire, Richard Blowes has lived in his adopted hometown of Galway for 15 years, now settled in Furbo. He sees Galway as the perfect place for him- a small enough town where you can meet and get to know lots of people by name, but a town that still contains a thriving music and culture scene.  

“Being a label associated with a place like Galway is very satisfying and also important,” he says, “You get to know who can make posters, or where I can get a CD made and delivered quickly… [the production] is all contained within our own little ecosystem.” 

Blowtorch Records is currently working with 14 different Irish artists and musicians from all corners of the nation, including Nixer, TV People, Puck, NERVES and Pebbledash. So far in 2026, Blowtorch has also released records for the likes of SexyTadgh, WifeSwap and Delivery Service. 

From International to Irish focus  

Initially, Blowtorch began with a more international focus, working with bands from the US, Australia, the UK and Japan as well as Ireland. However, a local Galway band would promptly shift Blowes’ focus to become more locally orientated.  

“Within about six months, I started managing a band called Turnstiles, who are from Galway,” Blowes explains “My nephew Luke was their drummer. Then, it became a much more Galway-focused thing.” 

The band expressed their difficulty as a relatively unknown punk band to secure gigs, as promoters were hesitant to take a chance on them. After offering to help, Blowes realised a local focus was a better fit for the community-orientated, DIY ethos of Blowtorch Records.  

“We use these words a lot- DIY, community, human, non-algorithmic,” Blowes reflects “It’s all we can do as our own little, small system.” 

Blowes credits Turnstiles as launching the Galway music scene into a thriving place for local, up-and-coming bands. Turnstiles started the ‘Free House’ series of gigs, which were based in Galway’s Áras na nGael, with the premise that anyone could play, and gig-goers could attend for free.  

Blowtorch Ethos 

Blowtorch prides themselves on having an art-driven rather than commercial-centric approach, prioritising affordable physical releases as a key element of the labels’ operation. In a time when many labels only care about streaming, this distinction is especially important.  

“We’re all about physical releases,” Blowes affirms “The brilliant thing for me about physical is… actually putting on a piece of music and listening to it, engaging with it, reading the lyrics. Being present, getting up to turn the record over, or pressing play on the CD.” 

Blowtorch is a community as well as a label. The labels’ website features a blog page, where writers are commissioned to review music and help promote local bands. 

Gems of Galway Music Scene 

Against the tidal waves of globalised record labels raking in millions of profit each year, Blowtorch Records strives to maintain the human face of the record label world by fostering a musical community and promoting local talent.  

There is an ecosystem at play when it comes to local music scenes, and Blowes has learned how important it is to tend to that environment- to stimulate engagement, platform local bands and inspire local audiences.  

“There’s a sense of togetherness in Galway,” Blowes reflects “A kind of cross-pollination. You get people playing in each other’s bands. Nobody seems to have a massive ego.” 

“There’s a certain mindset that comes with not living in the capital city, but somewhere that is perceived as quite remote,” Blowes notes, on Galway music scenes’ unique characteristics “There’s a certain cussedness to it- we live in this place right on the Atlantic, the weather is terrible most of the time, but we love it. We have this thing that is special.” 

Supporting Up-and-Coming Artists 

In May 2025, Blowtorch records hosted its own ‘West X Sound West’ Festival in the Róisín Dubh, showcasing artists who were associated with the label across two different stages. With a background in gig organising in mind and an impressive catalogue of musical acts among his partnerships, Blowes shares his opinion with us on what he believes Ireland should do to better support up-and-coming artists, the backbone of Irelands’ indie music scene.  

“I’m not really a fan of the artist support scheme,” Blowes confesses “You have to ask yourself, ‘Who are the gatekeepers here’?” 

“[The government] needs to look at a broader picture of the transport links late at night. There are no night buses in Galway. How are you supposed to get home after half past eleven?” 

Blowes also credits all-ages access to performances as pivotal to shaping teenagers’ early influences and level of interests.  

“It’s very hard to get into Róisín Dubh, for example, unless there are special underage gigs on,” Blowes observes “Most people start bands when they’re 14, 15. If they have no access to over-18 venues, how do we keep them engaged?” 

Blowtorch Records Picks: Go-to Galway spots 

As a parting word, Blowes shares his favourite spots in Galway City for music, coffee and grassroots events: 

Bell Book and Candle, Small Crane: “Paul is an absolute legend. Blowtorch Records has a little section in Bell Book and Candle, and Paul actively promotes our stuff. If a tourist comes in asking if they can recommend anything local, he will generally recommend a Blowtorch record. 

It’s funny to imagine tourists getting back home with a mad record from someone like Puck or the GOPNICKS and going ‘oh my god this isn’t what I was expecting!'” 

ZhivagoGifts, 5 Shop Street: “They’re great. They promote and stock our stuff and they put on in-store performances.” 

The Blue Note, William St West: “Mal in the Blue Note is brilliant. He just lets us have the place essentially for free and put stuff on. We have a couple things coming up with the Blue Note in the next month or so.” 

Plámás, 9 Dominick St Upper: “Their coffee shop in the Westend is brilliant. They are always putting on music events.” 

Poblacht Barbershop, 23A, William St West: “Cóilí in Poblacht is using the space as a community space, and not just as a commercial barbershop. I think fair play to people like that.” 

Visit blowtorchrecords.com to see more about their featured artists, including their range of physical releases. You can also follow the latest in Irish music news with their curated news and blog page.