Independent records is a small indie label which has been operating from Dublin, Ireland for the last two and a half years. At the beginning we were into mini albums and e.p.1s. From this came records by Mexican Pets, Swampshack and Luggage. Then came a full length album from Engine Alley.

Since then things have taken a distinct turn towards two of Irelands lost great songwriters Stan Erraught and Stephen Ryan. Stan and Stephen were in a band called The Stars of Heaven in the mid-eighties. They released two albums on Rough Trade and recorded four sessions for the John Peel program.

Stephen went on to form The Revenants whose album Horse of a Different Colour was reissued on Independent .Their next album is still in the making but it has been rumoured it will see the light of day in 1998.

Stan played in The Sewing Room for a couple of years before joining The Great Western Squares. The Squares have driven Independent down a distinctly country road. Their two albums Judas Steer and Almost Sober have seen Stetsons and cowboy boots become a regular feature of the office. It1s also seen Independents sometime release partner blunt move away from noisy distorted guitars to twang. There1s also a band called The Pernice Brothers on Sub Pop whose album Overcome by Happiness will be released on Independent in Ireland only. Also from Sub Pop comes Mike Ireland a more middle of the road country songwriter. Whether all this country nonsense turns out to be an astute move or not, only time will tell.

Other upcoming releases include MARFA LIGHTS , a band fronted by Steve Mack formerly singer in That Petrol Emotion. Their album Tensor will be out in Ireland and the U.K. soon. The big Independent project has to be the forthcoming Stars of Heaven compilation album Unfinished Dreaming. Featuring an abundance of unreleased and unheard material from Peel sessions to stuff they recorded with Mitch Easter which was never released.

Expect a huge increase in Independents release schedule in the next year. !!