THE INCREASINGLY important role played by the independent records sector in Ireland was underlined last month with the formal launching of Lodge Records – a new independent label which was set up with the specific purpose of showcasing and developing new talent. The label announced its arrival in style, by issuing no less than three albums and three singles simultaneously – including a 16-track compilation CD featuring a dozen artists culled from the impressive Lodge Records roster.

A quick perusal of the range of bands and solo artists already signed to Lodge confirms the diversity and variety of musical styles covered by the new label. Among the list of Lodge acts are, the widely touted Limerick band, The Hitchers, singer-songwriter Gerry Fleming, Aran Island rocker Barry Ronan, country outfit, Southpaw and UK-based pop singer Andrew Hayman.

The man behind this ambitious venture is Pat Dempsey, a music publisher with extensive experience in the music business and a successful songwriter in his own right. He sees the multiplicity of musical styles on his new label as a definite advantage in terms of promoting the acts individually, as well as in developing the label as a whole. He explains the ethos behind the operation, which he believes to be unique in the Irish context.

“A typical Irish independent label would have maybe two or three traditional bands or singer-songwriters on its books,” he says. “Lodge Records covers pop, rock, country, a touch of blues – something for everybody. I wanted to have a spread of artists who would have potential in different markets. Andrew Hayman, for example, could develop into a successful mainstream, multi-national artist, whereas Volcanic Earth could become a huge cult band. The Hitchers would fit nicely into the American college-radio circuit and maybe cross over in the way that REM have.

“While I want to cater for all musical tastes,” he adds, “the important thing is the fact that it has to be music that I’m personally a fan of. If I didn’t like it there’s no way I could promote and sell it to someone else.”

Another reason for the diversity of musical genres on Lodge Records is to avoid rivalry between the artists. “If I had a Mary Black-type singer on my label who was doing very well for me, the last thing I would do, is to take on another very similar act,” Dempsey explains. “It’s a personal thing with me; other labels might have several very similar artists on their books but I would feel that there was an artistic conflict there – and that one would be competing directly with the other. This way I can concentrate on promoting each act in its own particular territory without seeming to favour one over the other.”

Dempsey has very specific long-term objectives in relation to Lodge which amounts to converting raw potential into actual success. In this regard, he sees songs as the cornerstone of success for the label and measures potential in a specific act largely by the quality of their songs.

“I always prefer to see a band or artist getting the songs right from the outset,” he says. “If they’re to have any chance of success it’s essential to get that element right. A band’s live performance can always be worked on, rehearsed, developed, polished and so on. Whereas all that work put into a band whose material is fundamentally weak isn’t going to do them any good in the long term. Anyone in this industry who has the potential and the ability to produce well-crafted songs with strong melodies is well on the road to success. That is the main philosophy behind Lodge and it goes to the heart of the way I operate.

“I’ve always believed I have an instinct for a hit,” he continues. “Over the years when I’ve heard records by bands or artists I’ve been able to predict whether it’s going to be a hit or a miss and I’m usually right. If I can use that instinct with my own label I’ll be certain of success somewhere down the road.

“A deal is not worth a damn if it’s not followed by hit records, eight or nine months after that. It’s down to that. Nothing else matters, Pop music isn’t pop music unless it’s popular music. You only need to be lucky once – whether it’s a country track, a pop track or a rock track, if it’s a hit, every door you’ve been banging on for years suddenly opens.

“If you think about it,” he adds. “What is the one thing that bands who haven’t been dropped have, over those that have been dropped? Hits, that’s what they have – records which have been bought by the public in large numbers. It’s a simple but straightforward fact that is sometimes lost on many in the business.”

In order to promote his stable of artists internationally, Dempsey plans to travel to the all-important MIDEM music-biz showcase in Cannes early next year.

“I’ve been there a couple of times before with Ringsend Road Music which was very much involved in the folk singer/songwriter mode,” he says. “When I go down there this time I will feel confident that there’ll be international companies who will be able to get an instant flavour of the things I’m doing.

“In many ways I’m no different from that band looking for a deal. I’ve got to approach international record and publishing companies with the same aim in mind. The label and it’s repertoire could be licensed to either one company or several companies. For someone like myself running a tight ship, it makes commercial sense to get as much funding as I can through licensing and sub-publishing, to develop the overall package of records and songs. On the other hand you can only do so much per day and the last thing you want is to have deals all over the place.”

As head of Lodge Records, Pat Dempsey’s personal philosophy is based on the fact that the music business is, primarily, a people business.

“Contracts are signed and put in the bottom drawer,” he says. “At the end of the day you make a deal with the A&R guy, not the record company, or with the publishing manager or the promotions manager. If you can’t establish a good working relationship with that person, it doesn’t make sense to be doing business in the first place. There is a high element of trust and understanding involved in the music business and I intend to approach the running of Lodge Records with that fact very much in mind.”

The following artists from the Lodge Records roster are featured on a 16-track compilation CD entitled Musical Tourists.

Andrew Hayman: A UK-based singer currently living in Canvey Island, Essex, Hayman’s first release on Lodge, ‘Make it Happen’, has already been garnering positive reaction – having been playlisted on 2FM as well as on several local stations around the country. The single will be released nationwide in the UK on November 21st and the predictions are that it could well be a hit. A kind of a cross between Michael Bolton, George Michael and Paul Young, Haymen has all it takes to break into the international market.

The Hitchers: Anyone who has heard ditties like ‘Red Mohair Jumper’ and ‘Emily The Pig’ will attest to the irresistible melodic charms and sly humour of this four-piece from Limerick. The band have just finished a tour support to A House and their new CD single ‘She’ll Be Sorry’ features the aforementioned ‘Red Mohair Jumper’, together with the brilliant ‘Emily the Pig’ and ‘Big Mug’. One of the most promising acts on Lodge Records.

Southpaw: Described as “Nashville country meets Meatloaf!”, this cow-pop trio walked away with the first prize at the Limerick Expo ‘94 Music Showcase. The superb vocal talents of Val Crampton are showcased on ‘Me And The Boys’, included on Musical Tourists.

Blackheart: A steamy mix of raunchy rock and country, Blackheart is fronted by singer Róisin O’Shea, who shares writing duties in the band with her husband, American songwriter Don Sutherland. The band has built up a reputation for energetic and stormy live gigs and their current single on Lodge Records is the spirited ‘Too Hot To Handle’.

Volcanic Earth: Their debut album on Lodge Records, Sensitive Skin, is a collection of ten original rock tracks that was described as “a superb semi-unplugged combination of Lou Reed meets Eric Clapton meets Mark Knopfler.” Based in Cork, the band are currently picking up rave reviews for their live set.

Kim Jackson: Kim Jackson needs no introduction to Irish audiences, having appeared many times on radio and television, as well as working with bands like Bagatelle. She is also pursuing her acting career and is currently appearing in a new Irish play, Refugees, which has just opened in Dublin’s Eblana Theatre. ‘He Makes Me Feel Alright’, a melodic dance-pop tune, is the track featured here.

Gerry Fleming: Winner of the Smithwicks/Hot Press songwriters competition, Gerry Fleming supported Mick Hanly on his 1994 Irish Tour. He is currently working on material for his new band, Breakfast for Champions, who will be taking to the road in early 1995.

Barry Ronan: Ronan is an Aran-Islander who has received wide critical acclaim for his unique brand of Rock ‘n’ Roll as Gaeilge. His third single release, ‘Easy Street’, was produced by former In Tua Nua uileann pipes player Vinnie Kilduff and is included on the Lodge compilation Musical Tourists.

Warwick Embury: During 1994, Warwick Embury has toured with Rob Strong, supported Mick Hanly and performed alongside Paul Brady and Jimmy McCarthy at the ’94 Killarney Folk Festival. Two of his songs ‘Not In This Life’ and ‘I’ve Cried My Heart Out Over You’ are included on Musical Tourists.

Rebecca Petersen: Rebecca has toured with Bagatelle, The Memories and Frank Chisum and was formerly lead singer with the band Shades Of Blue. Her debut single ‘Straight From The Heart’, included on the Lodge compilation, was penned by John O’Brien, a member of Bagatelle.

Strength In Numbers: Formed twelve months ago in the Portlaoise/Mountmellick area of the midlands, Strength In Numbers have built up a strong local following, picking up extensive radio play and local press coverage. Their debut album Transgression, now out on Lodge Records, features the highly-rated single ‘Passing Time’ (described by 2FM’s Alan Corcoran as “destined for the top”). The band have a strong country rock flavour in the Eagles/Bob Seger vein and with a charismatic front-man in Mick Rogers they should make a significant impact in the near future.

Eddie McCartan: ‘Love Explosion’ included on Musical Tourists, along with ‘Creating’, showcases Eddie McCartan’s distinctive vocal talents. He has built up a considerable repertoire and plans to put a live show on the road in early 1994.