In the latest episode of Curious Goldfish, host Jason English sits down with three-fifths of The Belgian Blue—Ian Strawn, Padraig McMahon, and Moritz “Mo” Kollenbauer—to discuss their improbable journey from the streets of Vienna to the rugged landscapes of Montana. This five-piece ensemble, which also includes Ferdy Rauchmann and Jani Hölzer, has carved out a space in the indie world with a sound they’ve dubbed "New Wave Deep Americana".

The band's origins read like a screenplay. Ian and Padraig first crossed paths during a failed roommate interview, only to later find themselves trapped together on a stalled tram in Vienna. This chance encounter led to a musical partnership that began by busking next to a grumpy honey salesman in an Austrian vegetable market. Even their name was a fluke—chosen from a breed of cattle during a late-night call while Padraig was drinking with farmer friends in Ireland.

A central theme of the conversation is the distinct, "achy" quality of Padraig’s vocals. Padraig attributes this power to the collective history of his homeland, noting that Irish song was often the only "way of exacting revenge on oppression". Ian adds a pragmatic layer, observing that Padraig’s vocal strength comes from years of singing in loud, unamplified Irish pubs where one must find a natural "power to your voice" to be heard.

While the band spent years cutting their teeth as a live act, their first single, "The Bare Minimum," catapulted them into the streaming spotlight. Padraig describes the track as a "rallying cry" for self-acceptance after a difficult relationship. As they look toward 2026, the band is moving with newfound intention, having recently released the single "Found Me" and planning a recording session in Padraig’s childhood home in Ireland.