Canada's hardest working garage rock duo, The Pack a.d., may be mourning the untimely passing of Falcon, their trusty tour van, but never ones to slow down, they aren't letting it stop their upcoming spring tour. This month, the Vancouverites are packing their bags and heading East. From coast to coast to coast (almost) the tour will see stops from Penticton, BC to Charlottetown, PEI to Whitehorse YK and many points in between, including a stop in Toronto for a killer NXNE show.

Attention LP lovers: time to break your piggy banks and roll some quarters. Mint just got in its first ever vinyl batch of the critically lauded debut solo album from Olivia "fanshaw" Fetherstonhaugh, known simply as "your next favorite band" by the folks at HeroHill. As you may already know, that debut, produced with a selection of Olivia's friends and former Minty collaborators, received a CD release in February of 2010.

if you are going to be gallivanting around the icy streets of Toronto for CMW, we've got a few bands there. Feel free to stop by and say hello. Oh, and mark these on your calendar:

The Pack a.d.

- Friday, March 11 @ The Bovine (10pm)

- Saturday, March 12 @ Wrongbar (9:30pm)

- Sunday, March 13 @ The Horseshoe (10pm)

After a few Top Secret meetings at the Dairy Queen (Cold War style – with our backs to each other, Oreo Blizzards in hand) the news is out, we’re piecing together a benefit compilation with our pals at CiTR 101.9 FM. It features 11 of our favourite Vancouver bands and only 300 waxy 180g LPs will be pressed, silkscreened and numbered by hand.
 

Larissa Loyva is a busy woman. In addition to her solo project Kellarissa (which literally translates to "in the basement"), we've heard her soaring vocals on noteworthy previous releases from P:ano, The Choir Practice and Gigi.

We at Mint are pleased to introduce a new sound and a new signing, Vancouver's Geoff Berner, whose Mint debut, Victory Party, will emerge on March 8th, 2011. His openness to experimentation, spirited Eastern European klezmer influences, punk rock attitude and work with producer/mastermind Josh Dolgin (Socalled) resulted in an innovative, engaging and lively album full of surprises that we are proud to be part of.

In less than a week, we'll be pacing up and down the streets of New York City for CMJ. If you care to join us, we'll be lurking in the background of these dramatically lit establishments. Hope to see you there!

Hot Panda

2:45pm, Oct 20th @ Fontana's (the Pirate Promotions day party)

11:00pm, Oct 20th @ Trash Bar

Carolyn Mark

1:00am, Oct 21st @ Kenny's Cataways

The Pack a.d. 

12:00am, Oct 21st @ Arlene's Grocery (M For Montreal party)

We're just a few short days from the release of Hot Panda's sophomore album, How Come I'm Dead?. To celebrate, the band is inviting fans, friends, and other bands to try their hand at remixing the album's first single, "Mindlessnesslessness". To sweeten the deal, we're offering to show off the best remix creation on our next Mint sampler compilation and a Mint prize pack. We'll post the runners up on mintrecs.com too.

Yes, you read right. Not only is your illustrious Canadian indie label throwing a kick-ass pinata party, but it's free to the public! Bring your sombreros and implements of destruction (or at least your ears) to Broken City at noon on July 1st. We're supplying the nachos, papier-mache effigies stuffed with goodies & prizes, and some of the freshest Mint bands today.

The super cute Pocky has agreed to sponsor the day, so there will be chocolate (and maybe strawberry) covered cookie sticks for everyone!