EMI'S decision to host its international sales conference in Dublin has produced a positive spin-off for two of the acts on its Irish subsidiary, Lime Records.

Before the conference, Kaydee and Naimee Coleman were only guaranteed a domestic release," reveals a spokesman, "but having showcased for delegates and both gone down a storm, it looks like their respective debut albums are going to be picked up on in Europe and the States.

"Generally, I think it's extremely positive that Lime has four acts - the other two being Blink and The Devlins - that were signed through Dublin and having established themselves here are now making waves overseas."

Although they signed on the dotted line eight months ago, it's only now that details of Kaydee's deal with EMI are being made public.

"The way we look at it," the spokesman continues, "is that there's enough pressure on bands to deliver without them being prematurely hyped up by the press.

"Kaydee are a young band - average age 22 or 23 - from Kilkenny who've got a female singer called Jan, a mad extrovert guitarist called Kevin and Stephen Street itching to produce their first album. We sent him a tape, he came over to see them support The Devlins at The Tivoli, and the only question then was, 'when we do we start?'"

The answer appears to be January with the first fruits of Kaydee and Street's labours likely to surface in the early spring.

As for Naimee Coleman, the former Wilde Oscars singer is currently ensconced in Abbey Road studios with Rod Argent and Peter Van Hooke, the same team responsible for propelling Tanita Tikaram and Joshua Kadison towards international stardom.

"The three tracks that have been completed so far are absolutely stunning," the spokesman enthuses, "and talking to various people at the conference, the feeling is we've got a major star on our hands."