Basht’s story doesn’t begin with a grand plan or a carefully engineered lineup — it starts with a solo gig, a borrowed backing band, and the unmistakable spark that something bigger was happening. What followed was a collision of personalities, influences, and instinct that turned a one‑off rehearsal into the foundation of one of Ireland’s most exciting new rock acts. Across festival fields, late‑night writing sessions, and a debut album they’re fiercely proud of, Basht have carved out a sound that’s as immediate as the moment they first plugged in together.
Take us back to the very beginning: how did the four of you first come together, and what was the moment you realised this wasn’t just a jam session but the start of Basht?
It all started when our lead singer Jack needed a backing band for a solo gig he was doing. After our first rehearsal together, we collectively realised it felt much more like a band than a solo act backed by instrumentalists. It was all very immediate.
Your band name has a real punch to it — where did “Basht” come from, and were there any truly terrible name ideas that nearly made the cut?
The word “basht” is a derivation of the word “unabashed”, which means not feeling shy, embarrassed or ashamed of one’s actions, feelings or opinions. As for names that didn’t make the cut, I can’t remember a specific example but I do recall the idea of being “The” something (i.e The Who, The Doors etc.) was quickly shot down.
Your sound pulls from new‑wave, hip‑hop rhythms, and raw guitar energy — who are the artists, albums, or scenes that shaped the DNA of Basht?
There’s a lot of influences that form the DNA of Basht. All four of us having pretty different taste definitely helps. Fundamentally I think acts like The Strokes & Bloc Party helped form our sound in the beginning. As of more recently, we’ve collectively began to take more influence from other genres such as Shoegaze & Trip Hop.
You seemed to be everywhere this summer — how did the festival run treat you, and were there any standout moments, crowds, or chaotic backstage stories?
Festival season this year was fantastic. We played a lot of very cool shows in some amazing countries. As for the standouts we all really enjoyed Rock Werchter in Belgium, for playing early on the first day we had an unbelievable turnout. In terms of chaotic backstage moments, thankfully there weren’t really any. I remember being sidestage before a festival in the Netherlands at the end of May watching the champions league final penalty shoot out, that really got the blood flowing.
You’ve built serious momentum — what’s next musically? Are you writing, recording, experimenting, or heading toward a new EP/album cycle?
I think what’s next for us would be to get back in the writing room as soon as possible and get working on some new material while we have this momentum going. We’re very proud of this debut album and can’t wait for people to hear it, but we’re equally as excited to get back in that creative flow and strike while the iron is hot.
If you were curating your own dream festival, any act dead or alive, who are your three headliners — and more importantly, why those three?
I love this type of question.
Friday - I’m starting the festival off strong with a 2/3 hour long prime Daft Punk set. They’re one of my favourite acts ever and I never got to see them live.
Saturday - I’d keep that electronic vibe going but with a more live band feel, no better group to do that than Massive Attack. I saw them last summer and it’s still the best live show I’ve ever seen.
Sunday - I have to have a rapper on the bill so I’d end the weekend on a high with MF Doom backed by a full band. One of the greatest to ever do it, rest in peace.
Let’s do a Basht “Come Dine With Me”: what’s your starter, main, and dessert — and who in the band is most likely to burn the kitchen down attempting theirs?
Okay for my starter, I’m going for some bruschetta made super authentically and easy. Just good bread, tomatoes, olive oil & garlic. For my main, I’m doing lemon chicken with rigatoni. For dessert, I’m a big banoffee pie fan (I’m not sure if that’s a thing in America but it’s like a banana and toffee cheesecake) so I’d serve that with some fresh cream. As for who’s burning down the kitchen it’s our drummer Ryan, I don’t know how he’d do it but he’d just turn on the cooker and it’d somehow go up in flames.
Tell us something interesting, strange, or oddly charming about the band or one of you individually — the kind of thing fans wouldn’t know but would absolutely love.
That’s a tough one, we all have some interesting lore collectively and individually. Off the top of my head just because I was reminded of it the other day, I used to compete in professional spelling bees when I was a kid. I’ve since lost that skill a bit but I was unguardable in my prime.
Where do you see Basht in 12 months’ time — creatively, personally, and in terms of the journey you want the band to be on?
In 12 months time I think we just want to continue what we’re doing but on a bigger scale. That means more touring, cool new material and gigging in cities & countries we’ve never been. We’re on a good path as it is so the aim would be to just build upon that. As a group we’re very excited for what the next 12 months has in store for us.
If there’s one thing Basht make clear, it’s that momentum isn’t something they wait for — it’s something they build. With a debut album ready to land, new material already tugging at their sleeves, and a hunger to tour further and louder, the next 12 months feel less like a destination and more like an open road. Unabashed in name and nature, Basht are stepping into their next chapter with purpose, curiosity, and the kind of collective energy that only comes from a band who know exactly who they are.
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