Brace yourselves, the man in plaid is busy and preparing to unveil his latest project. This time, Nardwuar and The Evapotators have invited their friends, Franz Ferdinand, Andrew WK, Kate Nash, Sage Francis, The Cribs and Faud and The Feztones AND MORE to join them on their upcoming white-splattered LP titled Busy Doing Nothing. It will be in record shops on March 6th and comes with a free 2012/2013/2014 Punk Rock Calendar filled with vintage punk rock images from Vancouver's iconic Bev Davies. Oh boy! 

Nardwuar has posted more information on his creation here

Tracklisting:
***Side Nard***
1. The Evaporators & Andrew W.K. "I Hate Being Late When I'm Early" (The Evaporators/Andrew W.K.)
– This is an original song, a  collaboration between Andrew W.K. and Nardwuar's band, The Evaporators.
2. The Cribs "Death In The Family" (The Dishrags)
– The Cribs are from Wakefield, England and cover Vancouver All Girl 1970s Punk Band The Dishrags.
3. Kate Nash "My Chinchilla" (Cub)
– Kate Nash is from London and covers Cub, a Vancouver 1990s All Girl "Cuddlecore" band and the signature act on Mint Records.
4. Franz Ferdinand "Real Thing" (Pointed Sticks)
– Franz Ferdinand are from Glasgow and cover Legendary Vancouver 1970s Punk Band, the Pointed Sticks!
5. Fuad & The Feztones "Welcome To My Castle" (The Evaporators)
– This is Bobby and John from Montreal's legendary The Gruesomes. They (as Fuad & The Feztones) are covering (Nardwuar’s band) The Evaporators’ first single from 1992.
6. The Evaporators ft. Sage Francis/Xaul Zan & Megan Barnes "Hot Dog High" (The Evaporators/Sage Francis/Xaul Zan)
– Sage Francis raps on a verse for this Evaporators Original. Sage Francis runs Strange Famous Records and has released records thru ANTI-.
***Side Wuar***
1. The Evaporators "Busy Doing Nothing" (The Evaporators)
– An Evaporators original and the title track.
2. The Evaporators ft. Jill Barber & Andrew W.K. "Bring it On Home" (Doug Rutledge)
– This is a cover tune by Doug Rutledge, a 1970s Rockabilly/Truckdriver. Canadian singer-songwriter Jill Barber duets with Nardwuar on this track. Andrew W.K. also adds piano and organ.
3. The Evaporators "Milkshake Murder" (The Evaporators)
– This is an Evaporators Original.
4. The Evaporators "Bunk" (The Evaporators)
– This is an Evaporators Original.
5. The Evaporators "Pig War" (The Evaporators)
– This is an Evaporators Original.
6. The Evaporators "All The Bad Girls" (Pointed Sticks )
– This is a  Cover of Legendary Vancouver 1970's Punk Band, the Pointed Sticks.
7. *Interview* "Nardwuar vs. Franz Ferdinand"
– This is a clip from the first interview Nardwuar ever did with Franz Ferdinand.

 

We are pleased as punch to announce it, Miss Carolyn Mark is ready to show off her latest country fair creation. Nothing is Free shall be out July 3rd in Canada and a little later, September 18th, everywhere lse.

Like those delicious Frosted Mini Wheats, there are two sides to Miss Carolyn Mark. At a recent Railway Club performance, Carolyn compared her fifth record (sixth when you count our Party Girl's gig with Neko Case in The Corn Sisters) on Mint Records to that tasty bipolar breakfast cereal. And she's right, Nothing is Free has a funny frosted side, but is also packed with healthy goodness, psyllium fiber and will make your heart ache (but in a good way).

Hungry? Well, you're in luck. On July 3rd, Carolyn Mark's Nothing is Free, is ready for your rapid consumption.

And, Keep your eyes peeled, for the sassy Victoria songstress may be visiting a folk festival near you.

Check here for more of our favorite Terrible Hostess’ party dates!!!

 

It started innocently enough with plans of having a night out to celebrate mintrecs.com's recent renovations. Then, our talented friends, Cloudsplitter (Ida Nelson and Dave Gowans), Shane Nelken (of The Awkward Stage), Veda Hille, Paul and Lucy (of Young and Sexy) and Victoria's dark lord of the squeezebox, David P. Smith stepped in. Now, we've got ourselves a special acoustic evening booked. So come visit us on August 16th at The Main (4210 Main St.), and visit our Fancy New Website at www.mintrecs.com. It'll be fun. We promise.

Who: Cloudsplitter, Veda Hille, Shane Nelken, Paul and Lucy and David P. Smith.

What: Friends of Mint, unplugged!

Where: The Main (4210 Main St.)

When: 10:00pm on Aug 16th, 2007

Why: Because mintrecs.com is here and out of control! Or, because Dave Gowans had a plan that evolved into a big acoustic evening of fun. You choose.

Phew, this year’s Mint Records Just in Time for Xmas parties are over. And, after two action-packed nights at the Railway club, we’ve managed to raise $4,343 for our neighbours at The PHS Community Services Society, who provide sustainable housing and services to high-risk individuals in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side.

Thanks to The Awkward Stage, Bella, The Buttless Chaps, Carolyn Mark, The Choir Practice, Hot Panda, Immaculate Machine, Kellarissa, The Pack A.D., The Ramblin’ Ambassadors, Vancougar and Young and Sexy for making these events such a success! A special thank-you goes out to our generous prize sponsors, and of course to everyone who came out to the Railway on those nights!

Photo copyright Adam PW Smith - www.adampwsmith.com

Have you gotten a Fresh Breath of Mint this summer? Well, once you do, you'll learn the secret to Carolyn Mark's Ultimate Salad, get some sound advice from our resident rocktologist/cremationist, Shane Nelken, of the Awkward Stage, giggle over Nardwuar's interviews and oogle some comics created by our friends in Immaculate Machine. And, it gets better. Our little Fresh Breath of Mint zine is not only awesome, it's free! If you can't find one at your local record store, we'll send you one. Just send a nice note here. We'll help you out.

And, if you're really really keen. We're always on the lookout for Minty allies to help spread the freshness around their one-horse towns. Yup. That's right people, we love our Minty correspondents. Interested? Ask Shena how you can help.

 

 

Holey smokes! They’ve passed the test!

Yes, it was originally a 1993 release, but, cub’s cuddlecore classic, Betti-Cola is back on the college charts! This week, Betti-Cola is sitting pretty at #89 on the CMJ Top 200. Neat!

We’re still crazy about Lisa M, Lisa G, Robynn and Valeria’s catchy songs about chinchillas, Motel 6 and flaming red bobsleds. We’ve even re-mastered added bonus tracks and re-released Betti-Cola and Come Out Come Out into the world. Catch 'em if you can!

 

2007 has been quite the year for us at Mint Records; we've signed some great new bands (Bella, The Pack A.D. & Vancougar), teared up when our beloved office plant, Myrtle II, passed on and celebrated many new releases.
In early June, Brooke, Luke and Kathryn of Immaculate Machine released their sophomore Mint album, Fables. You should have seen CBC Radio 3 personality, Grant Lawrence's face when Brooke and Kathryn revealed that they translated their song "Dear Confessor", into Mandarin because of a cheeky comment he made on the air. Apparently, it was priceless.
Remember meeting our lovely new band, Bella? Well, since then, they've released their dreamy Mint debut, No One Will Know, taken their first trip to CMJ and are growing up so very fast.
Since recording her woodsy Nothing is Free, Carolyn Mark has been racing around America with her friends Po' Girl and collecting more delicious recipes for the Fresh Breath of Mint Zine. (Her butternut squash casserole from Ashland, Oregon has become an office favourite. Contact us if you'd like to know how it is made.)
Ambitious Uncle Nardwuar has been busy too with Welcome to my Castle, his new DVD of fearless celebrity interview footage, his 20th anniversary on CiTR Radio, his retro shirtless floatie pen and his six (!!!) new videos from The Evaporators' new record, Gassy Jack and Other Tales. His energy is awe-inspiring.
Since we last spoke, The Awkward Stage teamed up with Young and Sexy to produce a split 7-inch. P:ano's Nick Krgovich, stopped by with his solo One Woman Show before returning to his home in Burquitlam. And The Choir Practice is getting ready for some holiday carols at the upcoming Just In Time For Xmas Parties. If you're free in December, we would love to see you there.
We're looking forwards to 2008. In January, we re-release The Pack A.D.'s Tintype. In February, Vancougar's "Obvious" b/w "Distance" 7-inch is out. And, there shall soon be surprises from Young and Sexy, The Ramblin' Ambassadors, Vancougar, The Awkward Stage, Novillero and many others.
SXSW is coming fast too. This year, the Mint SXSW Showcase will be epic. If everything goes as planned, we could have six Mint bands (The Awkward Stage, Bella, Carolyn Mark, The Choir Practice, The Pack A.D. and Vancougar) migrating South and getting into all sorts of trouble – we'll tell you all about it next year!
On that note, we wish you a happy holiday season and a exciting 2008!
Love,
Your Friends at Mint Records
 
 
 
Mint Releases in 2007

Click on the songs below for your free MP3 download:

The Choir Practice The Choir Practice - Red Fox

Nick Krgovich 7" - One Woman Show

Young and Sexy/Awkward Stage" Double A Side Series Volume 1 7" - Hello Sonny

Immaculate Machine Fables - C'Mon Sea Legs

Carolyn Mark Nothing Is Free - The 1 That Got Away With it

Bella No One Will Know - Camelot

The Evaporators Gassy Jack and Other Tales - You Got Me Into This, Now You Get Me Out

Nardwuar the Human Serviette Welcome To My Castle DVD

Mint Records presents... The CBC Radio 3 Sessions

Our tiny fridge is - um, make that WAS - full of Jack Daniels, Pabst Blue Ribbon and Coors Light; something wicked must be brewing in the Mint Records office. Only seconds ago, Mint Records signed on one of the most hardworking, coffee-fueled, howling, growling duos to come out of Vancouver. The Pack A.D..

Yes, the Pack A.D. are a duo. But do not expect a stripped down drum and guitar outfit. And, yes, the Pack A.D. are two women. But do not expect “girly” music. The Pack A.D. blends traditional blues and rock, with the focus on rhythm guitar, solid drum lines and singing straight from the gut.

So, watch out. The Pack A.D. are on the prowl, touring across Canada with their roaring self-released debut, TinType. Catch them if you can.

The Minties are preparing to make the annual pilgrimage to SXSW for a whirlwind week of rock 'n' roll and all the beer and BBQ goodness we can handle. If you're heading to Austin too, stop by one of our events and say hi! Our lovely and talented friends, Bella, Carolyn Mark, The Choir Practice, The Pack A.D. and Vancougar shall be joining us to delight the masses.

So mark these dates on your SXSW calendars:

1) The Mint Records SXSW Showcase
Fri March 14
@ Club 115 (115 San Jacinto)

1am: Bella
12am: Vancougar
11pm: The Pack AD
10pm: The Choir Practice
9pm: Carolyn Mark

*sponsored by Bitch Magazine

2) Mint/Six Shooter Hootenanny
Thurs March 13 (2-6pm)
@ Headhunters back patio (720 Red River)
Free!

2:20 Vancougar (Vancouver)
2:40 Jenn Grant (Halifax)
3:00 Bella (Vancouver)
3:20 Elliott Brood (Toronto)
3:40 Choir Practice (Vancouver)
4:00 Christine Fellows (Winnipeg)
4:20 Pack A.D. (Vancouver)
4:40 Luke Doucet (Toronto)
5:00 Carolyn Mark (Victoria)
5:20 NQ Arbuckle (Toronto)

*sponsored by Bitch Magazine, XM, CBC Radio 3, Pabst Blue Ribbon

3) And you can also catch The Pack A.D. at one of these parties...

Canada Blast Party
Wed March 12
The Big Top at Brush Square Park (across from the Hilton)
The Pack AD to play at 3:40pm

Nail Distribution Party
Fri March 14
The Side Bar (602 E 7th)
The Pack AD to play at 1pm

See you there!!