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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!!

Thanks to everyone who those who helped score The Choir Practice an opening gig for Jarvis Cocker. The gods of indie pop salute you!

On May 15th, Choir Practice’s debut self-titled album is out! Our non-compulsory chorus line, made up of Vancouver indie veterans, includes Coco Culbertson (the Gay), Larissa Loyva (P:ano) and ten of their friends!

And, be sure to stop by the Railway Club (579 Dunsmuir Street) on May 18th for The Choir Practice CD release party with Victoria Victoria and The Greenbelt Collective!!

"In last week's Straight, we reported that Jarvis Cocker was advertising on his MySpace page for local bands to open his shows during his current tour. When that was written, the former Pulp frontman hadn't yet selected an act from Vancouver for his May 1 Commodore appearance. But a couple of weeks ago Cocker's label, Rough Trade, e-mailed the Choir Practice with the good news.
"We were pretty surprised," says singer-bassist Shane Turner , who also plays in Love and Mathematics. "I was saying to a couple of the people in the band that he wasn't going to check our MySpace page. Then we got an e-mail a week later saying he wanted us to open. It's a good feeling because three of us are huge Pulp fans. Which is kind of funny, because he said in the interview that he's avoiding bands that are influenced by Pulp. Luckily, we don't sound like we are. But This Is Hardcore is one of my favourite albums."
The Choir Practice was formed about a year ago by the Gay's Coco Culbertson "as an excuse to drink wine and sing with friends", says Turner. Featuring anywhere from eight to 12 members, the group's vocal-heavy pop is showcased on a Mint Records debut due out May 15. The band plays a CD-release party at the Railway Club May 18." - Shawn Conner, The Georgia Straight

We love Tuesday new releases. And, If you just can't wait until September 18th for Bella's sparkling debut, No One Will Know, stop by MapleMusic and pre order your copy today.

And, if you're not out to build your cd collection, the record is digitally yours via iTunes. "Give it a Night" is iTunes' Free Single of the Week. Download it here.

If you missed Bella's Vancouver show with the lovely Brunettes, be sure to check out their upcoming tour dates; they just might be visiting a city near you!

We're pleased to welcome delightful and talented songstress Larissa Loyva into the Mint Records family - or, rather, welcome her back. You may already know Larissa from her stunning vocal and songwriting contributions to previous Mint releases from P:ano and The Choir Practice. After working with these groups, defined by their strengths as ensembles, she's now taking centre stage with her new solo project Kellarissa.

"Kellarissa" literally means "in the basement". Think shag rugs, red lampshades, cocktail hour and muumuus. With synthesizer and vocal loops smothered in a haze of reverb, Kellarissa asks eternal questions disguised as pop songs.

Flamingo is Kellarissa's Mint Records debut. We can't reveal the release date quite yet, but, can promise you that the record is a stunning kaleidoscope of Kellarissa's haunting vocals, her prized Candied Yam(aha SK15) synthesizer, bits of coloured glass and other surprises.

Photo credit: Adam PW Smith adampwsmith.com