Blowtorch Records Podcast
Blowtorch Records is an independent record label based in Galway, Ireland. In this podcast we chat with bands and artists who are on the Blowtorch label and also a selection of our other favourite bands and industry figures. Each episode features music from the band or selected by the guest.
Our podcast was number 12 in the 2025 top 30 Ireland Art podcasts as selected by Feedspot. https://podcast.feedspot.com/ireland_art_podcasts
Blowtorch Records Podcast
Ep 52 Michael Smyth from Virgins and their debut album
Michael Smyth from Belfast's Virgins guides us track by track through the band's debut album nothing hurt and everything was beautiful.
Virgins have quickly become one of Ireland's most promising bands, flying the flag for Irish shoegaze since their sold out and critically acclaimed debut EP transmit a little heaven in 2023.
The eagerly anticipated debut album is out now digitally and on a pressing of 300 starburst vinyl. The album finds the band exploring a wider sonic palette, seamlessly moving between the gaze-pop of first single slowly long and disappearer, to the dance influenced softer and the heavy, expansive and ethereal pale fire and tend.
Virgins Instagram
Buy vinyl
Dublin launch gig
Belfast launch gig
Virgins on this album were Michael Smyth, Rebecca Dow, David Sloan, James Foy and Brendy McCann. It was recorded at 1980 studios with producer/mixer Jonny Woods and mastered by Jon Moorehead at Moosetronix Mastering.