Radio stations receive hundreds of CDs every week, many from young bands hoping to break into the big time. Often they are so unprofessionally produced that they never get played, while their proud creators wonder what went wrong.
John Richards, a DJ with Galway Bay FM Radio, realised that many of these bands had talent but lacked the drive and know-how to succeed.
He has provided a studio at cost and his expertise free, almost nightly, since last autumn, and eight groups unveiled the fruit of their labour in Galway at the weekend, a CD called Two Boldly Go . . . Released on the newly-formed Origin label, it is produced entirely in the west of Ireland.
The bands and singers are now Galway-based, and the album was recorded in Black Rose Studios near Ballinasloe.
John says the album has to fit comfortably on radio station decks countrywide, and appeal to people outside Galway. "Judging by the responses we have got from stations so far, it is being well received. There is a good mix of songs, which means it will have a broad appeal, and overall the material is very balanced".
The performers include Ruth Dillon, Guava, Mark McConville and Charis, and the CD will be in shops. But it is mainly a vehicle for the bands to further their talent, so all major record companies, radio stations and music journalists have received copies. The material is original, but the groups have not forfeited any copyright or their rights to sign up with large, established companies. John hopes that will happen.
The eight bands were selected by six anonymous judges interested in different kinds of music from groups that attended an open meeting in Galway last October and discussed management structures, financial management and public relations. Then musicians interested in making an album submitted material.
The resulting work is a high-quality CD with an eye-catching cover. Two sponsors, Zhivago Records and the Roisin Dubh Pub, were superb, says John.
The Galway Bay FM disc jockey won't earn enough from this album to give up the day job. "Any money earned will be a bonus," he says, and the bands are aware of that. "We just want it to be a passport for them, and it is a great calling card for anyone approaching a major record company".