News

May 29th is a big day for us at Mint Records. Not only is our Fancy New Website up and rolling (Hooray!!), but today, our pals at itunes are offering Immaculate Machine's single, "Jarhand" for FREE!! Get it here. It's the illustrious single of the week!

Then, on May 30th, download all of Fables on itunes, it's specially priced (and you'll have it two weeks earlier than your friends). If you'd like a physical copy of the CD/LP for your collection, visit a record store (It's out on June 12th), or if you live in the woods, order it from our friends at Maple Music.

Vancouverites! Be sure to visit us at Red Cat Records (4307 Main St.) on June 1st; we're having a little advance listening shindig and showing off some Immaculate artwork by the band's resident artist, Caitlin Gallupe. Afterwards, we're marching across the street to The Main for some late night eats and a performance by Victoria's Vincat!

If you're busy that night, stop by the Ukrainian Hall (805 E. Pender) for the CD Release Party on June 16th. Immaculate Machine, Meatdraw and Victoria, Victoria will be there. We'll be there. And you should be there too.

To celebrate Nardwuar's 20th Anniversary on CiTR, on the evening of November 2nd, there will be a special free, all ages gig. Come see Nardwuar's band, The Evaporators, plus The Tranzmitors, The Pack A.D. and Kid Kordene at the Sub Ballroom in Vancouver.

ps: This is all happening AFTER Nard's 20 hour Interview Marathon on CiTR. Beginning at 9:00 on November 1st, Nardwuar is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of his Vancouver Radio Show (1987-2007) on CiTR 101.9 FM with a 20 hour, "Live on the Air" Nardwuar Interview Marathon. You can tune in and listen online here.

Who: Nardwuar, The Evaporators, The Tranzmitors, The Pack A.D. and Kid Kordene.

What: Nardwuar celebrates his 20 years on CiTR with a free all ages show.

Where: The UBC SUB Ballroom, Vancouver, BC.

When: Friday, November 2nd at 7:30pm.

Why: Just baking a cake just wouldn't cut it.

Yes, that's right folks, just a few days until Immaculate Machine's Fables is on those record store shelves on Tuesday, June 12. If you haven't had a chance to preview the record, the entire thing is available to stream here. Thanks Quicktime! And, our pals at Pitchfork are up on the Immaculate fun too, here's what they've said so far. We know, we know, Ian Danzig said it first, but, hooray for Tuesdays indeed!!!

Normally, we celebrate the holidays with our annual Mint Records Ridiculously Early Xmas Party (Remember last year? Nardwuar hauled up members of Franz Ferdinand and The Cribs). This year, we've changed things up. On December 14th and December 15th, The Mint Records Just in Time for Xmas Party will take place at the Railway Club with an unprecedented number of bands performing.

Have you heard of our friends Bella? Well, they're taking Vancouver by storm and just finished recording their first Mint full length album coyly titled, No One Will Know. Well, this is just in - Bella's No One Will Know shall be out on September 18th.

In other Bella news, the band's early 2007 pre-album version of Camelot is being featured by Seattle designer Lizzie Parker on her website and will be a key tune for her upcoming Spring 2008 collection, to be launched at Seattle Fashion week in October 2007!

Be sure to check out Bella's free show on Main Street on June 16th. If last week's renegade performances were any indication of what's to come; Bella will probably be performing on the back of a truck! We'll keep you updated with further details. Fun!!

Somebody let us in on the surprise. Now, everyone knows that The Choir Practice will be performing the national anthems for Monday’s Canucks game. If you were unable to score front-row tickets, the band will join you in your living room at 7:00pm on Sportsnet. So you’ve been warned; go pick up those hockey game snacks!

Our resident rocktologist/cremationist Shane Nelken is preparing to pack up the van for another tour. This time, The Awkwward Stage is heading South of the Canadian boarder to play in fine cities such as Seattle (home of the world's largest glass of orange juice), San Francisco (home of the world's largest baseball glove) and many, many more! Click here for The Awkward Stage's complete tour schedule.

Also Shane will be on MuchMusic's Going Coastal this Sunday for part II of his appearance... Stay tuned for Part III yet to come! And don't forget to check out the latest CBC Radio 3 Podcast (#108) for another dose of rock 'n' roll advice on Dear Shane.

Our latest Fresh Breath of Mint zine is here! We're pretty excited about the new Bella craft ideas, Carolyn Mark tour stories, Vancougar crossword puzzle, Nardwuar interviews and Immaculate Machine comics. If you haven't picked up one at your local record store, send us a note and we'll make you a care package!

Like Vinyl? Like Neko Case? Well, our pal Jack at Lance Rock Records in Nanaimo is releasing most of Neko's back catalogue on limited-edition, collectors LPs, and we're lucky enough to have a few to pass on to you.First up is Blacklisted, and copies are available now for pre-order at MapleMusic. It's a gorgeous album and the pristine 150 gram vinyl comes in a gorgeous gatefold package. Visit our friends at MapleMusic here for a copy of your own.

And while you're there, check out our latest 7" releases: One Woman Show from Nick Krgovich of P:ano and Volume One of our split 7" series, featuring The Awkward Stage and Young and Sexy.

On April 4th, Dave Gowans, Lasse Lutick, Morgan McDonald and Dan Gaucher will be celebrating 10 years of playing music together at Vancouver's Biltmore Cabaret (395 Kingsway). Not content to rest on their laurels, the Buttless Chaps are as sharp and spry as ever; together with Mint Records they will be releasing their first digital only release, titled, CBC Radio 3 Sessions.

The CBC Radio 3 Sessions will be available on April 1st, exclusively through iTunes and Zunior.com. It features old friends, Jesse Zubot (Fond of Tigers, Zubot and Dawson) on violin, and Peggy Lee on cello. The release includes a myriad of the Chaps' favourite songs; "Fresh Horses", "Migratory Birds" and a cover of the Echo and the Bunnymen classic, "The Killing Moon," to name a few.

Since their formation in 1998, the Chaps have toured the Canadian and US wilderness extensively and performed with artists such as The Rheostatics, The Handsome Family and The Stars. Their brooding jangly orchestral folk music will make you come to the realization that life, although pointless, is also wonderful.

So mark these dates on your calendar:

April 1st
The Buttless Chaps CBC Radio 3 Sessions
*The first digital only release on Mint Records, available exclusively through iTunes and Zunior.com

April 4th
The Buttless Chaps' 10th Anniversary Show with The Parlor Steps
The Biltmore Cabaret (395 Kingsway)

* Advance tickets available at Red Cat, Zulu and Scratch Records.

** CBC Radio shall be there to record the evening for their Concerts on Demand.

*** See you there.