by JOHNSON CUMMINS

Local label Dare to Care is celebrating their fourth year in the topsy-turvy world of independent music this week with their Dare to Care Fest IV showcase concert. But label owner Eli Bissonnette has hardly had a chance to sit back and ponder his successes of the past four years. He’s currently working four records at the same time, doing college-radio tracking, Web site updates and ad design, chasing down errant distributors, planning upcoming releases, worrying about his mounting debts, re-directing e-mails and all the other general grunt work that makes up the 50 hours a week it takes to run an indie label.

“With all the workload, I sometimes wonder where my life went,” says Bissonnette. “It’s hard for me to see friends and my girlfriend as much as I want to and I have to live very cheaply, so every once in awhile I’ll stop and wonder, ‘Why the hell am I doing this?’ But once I get the final release in my hands, I’m really proud and there’s nothing that beats that feeling. It would be nice to finally get paid for the work, but if I don’t end up getting paid that’s okay because I really love doing what I do and I’m hoping to do it for the rest of my life”.

With 22 releases by Malajube, the Sainte Catherines, the Fallout Project, Yesterday’s Ring, the Insurgent, Self Made Man and more in its catalogue, Dare to Care has already surpassed the average shelf life of an independent label. The secret to the label’s success could be its eclectic lineup and the sense of community within his roster.

“I wouldn’t say that there is a Dare To Care sound, as obviously there is a big difference between a band like Malajube [pop] and the Fallout Project [metalcore] but if you listen to any of the records, you’ll find out that a lot of bands are singing about the same things. We are also all friends—the label has really turned into a family and I’m really proud of that.”

Dare To Care Fest IV with Malajube, Yesterday’s Ring, La Descente du Coude, Fifth Hour Hero, Fantômes Fantoches and DJ Tight at Theatre Plaza on Saturday, July 9, 8 p.m., $10

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