AWARD-WINNING roots act Four Men & A Dog make a rare return to these shores this month, with a short Irish tour which includes two dates in Dublin. The group who’ve signed a new worldwide record deal with Castle Communications, are currently holed up in Woodstock, upstate New York, where they’ve been working on their third album with help from members of legendary American outfit, The Band.

“I’ve been giving Levon Helm bodhran lessons,” laughs Gino Lupari, the Dogs’ percussionist, down a crackly phone line, as they prepare for an appearance at the New Music Cafe in Manhattan. “We met Levon, Garth Hudson and Rick Danko at a festival in Norway earlier this year and we’ve struck up a close friendship with them. It’s been a great experience working with them and we’re very excited about the new album.”

The as-yet-untitled album, due for release next February, will contain all original songs written by The Dogs’ frontman Kevin Doherty and is produced by Aaron Hurvitz, who has previously worked with such luminaries as Bruce Hornsby, Violent Femmes, and Dave Brubeck. “He’s a brilliant musician himself as well,” says Gino. “He wanted us to maintain the strong roots feel in our music and I get to play the bodhran in a rock and roll style — the way I’ve always wanted it to be used!”

Meanwhile, Four Men & A Dog have been touring non-stop since the release of their last album, the critically acclaimed, Shifting Gravel.

“We’ve been literally all over the world in the past year,” says Gino. “Australia, Europe, Scandinavia and this is our third trip to the States this year. The groundwork we’ve done over here in the past is really beginning to pay off, and it’s amazing how many people are travelling long distances to get to our gigs and turning up wearing Four Men & A Dog T-Shirts.” n

• Four Men & A Dog appear at Johnny Fox’s in Sandyford on Wednesday December 14th and at Whelan’s on Thursday 15th December.