Welcome to our new Belfast-based writer Chris Mullan

Chris Mullan is a writer who covers the grassroots music scene in Northern Ireland and we are delighted to welcome him and his local insights to the Blowtorch Records team. We'll let Chris introduce himself...

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When Richard from Blowtorch Records asked me if I would like to write about myself by way of an introduction as the site’s new, de facto expert on all things grassroots music in Northern Ireland, I thought two things. First – “Finally”. Second – “This should be easy; I’m always writing about myself in one form or another”.

By that I mean, over the past two years of reporting on the local music scene here in Belfast; simultaneously having pitches mercilessly rejected by the likes of The Guardian and Pitchfork, I have come to notice a theme, even if others haven’t, or won’t. Whether I’m covering a new buzzy band’s debut album or the latest list of nominees for the Northern Ireland Music Prize, I (consciously or not) end up leaving more of myself on the page than I probably ever intend to.

I’ve joked before that I’m a modern “gonzo writer” (in the spirit of Hunter S. Thompson – I’m not) and have even said how I admired the late A.A. Gill’s unapologetically personal writing style - but the truth is, every writer, whether by design or accident, inevitably leaves a part of themselves in their work. And just like the best music out there, that is what makes it worth reading (or listening to). It’s truth.

Now, I am no expert. But I do have two ears and an inherent calling to write about life and music and experiences. So, this is what I will endeavour to bring to the Blowtorch Records family. Unfortunately for me, I am not in beautiful Galway where Blowtorch is based, but I am more than happy from this day on to be their man in Belfast. Manning the outpost and writing (hopefully) an interesting article or two for the website on some of the most important and noteworthy local shows we have coming down the line, and we’re starting with a good one.

You will have to keep up to date with Blowtorch’s social media to see where this fancy new role takes me first. Thanks, as ever, for reading. If you like, you can read some of my past articles that I host on the Substack platform for my Substack blog Mull It Over, which is updated quite regularly. Anything I write for Blowtorch will likely find its way there eventually.

So, thank you, Richard for the opportunity to wax lyrical about some of the amazing talent we have up here north of the border. The work you do for your artists is vital. It is more important than ever for us all to support independent labels and artists, and I hope some silly words can help.

Chris

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