View Cart

News

Mint Records at CMJ and Halifax Pop!

It is that time of year again! We're carving pumpkins, bringing out our warmest sweaters and preparing to depart for a few more music festivals before the snow flies. For those of you heading to CMJ, we will be there with Monomyth! Please pop by one of these shows to say hello. 

MONOMYTH at CMJ 2014

10/21 - Pete's Candy Store, Riot Act Happy Hour (7:45pm)

10/24 - The Cake Shop, Break Thru Radio Party (1pm)

10/24 - Pianos, Planetary Group Party (4:30pm) 

Mr. Renny Wilson is also flying into Halifax for a Pop Explosion performance. Go and see this magical man! 

RENNY WILSON at HPX 2014

10/23 - Marquee Ballroom (9:30pm) 

 

 

 

Energy Slime - Coming Soon!

That’s right, you heard us: we’re proud to be working with Energy Slime, the latest venture from Jay Arner and his bandmate/partner-in-crime, Jessica Delisle! Seamlessly slipping between diverse, even psychoactive, moods, this is a lighthearted and—dare we say—free-flowing outfit for the Vancouver mainstay. And we’re not talking the kind of goop you’d expect from Slimer or Powder Puff here, this is pure aural ectoplasm. Look for Energy Slime's New Dimensional in a record shop near you (or order it from us) on November 11th, 2014! 

Mint At Sled Island 2014!!!

Yep, it's that time of year again where we pile the Mint family into a van (or two if we're lucky) and swap coastal for cattle. Why on earth would we do that? For none other than the eighth edition of Calgary's Sled Island, of course!!

It's not like we're just bringing along a band or two either. This year we're having a whole freakin' showcase, and we've teamed up with our friends Super Moon (formerly Movieland) for good measure!

THE MINT RECORDS SLED ISLAND DAY PARTY!

Friday, June 20th, 2014 at Commonwealth Bar & Stage (731 10 Ave SW) from 12:30 - 5:30 PM! FREE!

FEATURING:

Jay Arner 4:30pm (Vancouver, BC - Mint Records)

Tough Age 3:30pm (Vancouver, BC - Mint Records)

Renny Wilson 2:30pm (Edmonton, AB - Mint Records)

Super Moon 1:30pm (Vancouver, BC)

Doors at 12:30pm

But wait! That's not all! Each of the bands will also have an official Sled Island evening showcase as well. Stay tuned to the facebook event for those details as they unfold, and don't forget to RSVP while you're there!

SEE YOU THERE!

Let's Welcome MONOMYTH To The Mint Records Family!

Big News! We at Mint are pleased to announce our latest signing, Monomyth, from Halifax, NS! Their Mint Records debut, Saturnalia Regalia! will be available to the masses on July 22nd. 
Monomyth is a crown jewel in the court of the crimson and clover. The Halifax four-piece carries on the hallowed East Coast tradition of janglophile pop with a smirking sense of humour, stadium-sized hooks, and starry-eyed harmonies from the barbershop of broken dreams. Though Saturnalia Regalia! shows a clear sonic lineage with the holy Halifax trinity of Sloan, Thrush Hermit and the Super Friendz (whose bassist Charles Austin assisted in this album’s production), Monomyth also invoke the amber-encased Americana of Big Star, pranksterish pop moves of The dB’s and The Soft Boys, Television’s tangled guitarmonies, MBV tremolo ’gaze, and the radiant ramble of Relatively Clean Rivers.
The band includes Josh Salter, Seamus Dalton, Graeme Stewart and Matt Peters. You may recognize some of them from Halifax's pop elite as they are also members of Nap Eyes, Psychic Fair and the excellent Moon. 
Now that we've piqued your interest, we've posted a teaser track, "Candleholder"  on Soundcloud over here. Stream away! And let us know what you think. 

Upcoming Dates:

4/19 - Halifax, NS @ Gus' Pub w/ Old and and Weird, Cat Bag and Wet Denim
4/24 - St Johns, NFLD @ The Ship w/ By Divine Right and Matthew Thompson
5/21 - Halifax, NS @ Gus' Pub w/ Sheer Agony
6/18 - Toronto, ONT - NXNE Craft Singles Showcase w/ Old and Weird, Each Other, Toronto Homicide Squad

MINT AT SXSW 2014!!!

Once again, we're unpacking our sunglasses and summer attire from storage and will be migrating South to the city of Austin, Texas for their SXSW festival. Are you going to be there too? Let's get heatstroke together! 

We're also planning a party! It's free, and unofficial, and you should come see some of Canada's finest bands in action! 

THE MINT RECORDS SXSW DAY PARTY
Thursday, March 13th, 2014
at HEADHUNTERS (720 Red River)
1-6pm! FREE! 

Featuring: 
1:15 - TOPS (Montreal, QC - Arbutus)
1:55 - Calvin Love (Edmonton, AB)
2:35 - Sean Nicholas Savage (Montreal, QC - Arbutus)
3:15 - Pick A Piper (Toronto, ON - Mint Records)
3:55 - Jay Arner (Vancouver, BC - Mint Records)
4:35 - Tough Age (Vancouver, BC - Mint Records)
5:15 - The Pack AD (Vancouver, BC - Nettwerk)

Oh, and you should come early, there will be FREE TACOS and other surprises. 

We have a facebook event up over here, where we'll be posting up-to-the-minute updates. 

We'd also like to send a big THANK YOUUU to Exclaim! 

SEE YOU THERE!!! 

The Ridiculously Early Xmas Party Is Back!

Hello Friends!!

We know it's still November, but our Ridiculously Early Xmas Party is back and coming up soon... 

Saturday, November 30th
The Ukrainian Hall (805 E Pender) 
Doors are at 7pm
This is a 19+ event, sorry!! 
 

FEATURING:
Nardwuar and The Evaporators
Tough Age
Renny Wilson
Jay Arner
Chris Mastheim (aka Nick Krgovich of No Kids/P:ano/etc)
Fake Tears
Shawn Mrazek Lives!
DJ Duncan McHugh (host of Duncan's Donuts on CiTR)

Tickets are $10 in advance (available online at brownpapertickets or in-person at Red Cat and Zulu) or $13 at the door.

As per the Ridiculously Early tradition, there will be presents for the earliest people.

Partial proceeds go to support SAINTS, a sanctuary for senior/special needs animals and Girls Rock Camp Vancouver.

And lastly, we'd like to give our sponsors, CiTR 101.9FM and Phillips Beer a big thumbs up.

See you there!

 

Jay Arner's GIANT American Tour

Holy smokes! Jay Arner and his band are preparing to embark on their first tour of America. And they have a new video. Watch it here, and then tell your friends in Philadelphia to check him out!

Jay Arner's Upcoming Tour Dates: 
Oct 3 - Simply Delicious, Vancouver, BC *
Oct 4 - Heartland, Seattle, WA *
Oct 5 - Neato Burrito, Spokane, WA *
Oct 6 - VFW, Missoula, MT *
Oct 7 - Wild Joe's, Bozeman, MT *
Oct 8 - Pangea House, Minot, ND *
Oct 9 - TBA, Fargo, ND *
Oct 10 - Fuck Mountain, Minneapolis, MN *
Oct 11 - Observatory Studios, Chicago, IL
Oct 12 - The Shop, Pittsburgh, PA
Oct 13 - MakeSpace, Harrisburg, PA *
Oct 14 - Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA
Oct 15 - Brooklyn Rod and Gun Club, Brooklyn, NY
Oct 16 - TBA
Oct 17 - Pete's Candy Store, Brooklyn, NY (Riot Act Day Party) 
Oct 18 - Piano's, New York, NY (Planetary Group Day Party)
Oct 21 - TBA, Burlington, VT
Oct 22 - Divan Orange, Montreal, QC
Oct 23 - Gus' Pub, Halifax, NS (Halifax Pop Explosion) 
Oct 25 - Gus' Pub, Halifax, NS (Mint Records Day Party) 
Oct 27 - Thunder and Lightning, Sackville, NB
Oct 28 - Flask Lounge, Portland, ME
Oct 30 - Coco 66, New York, NY
Oct 31 - Paperhaus, Washington DC
Nov 1 - TBA, Baltimore, MD
Nov 2 - The Garage, Charlottesville, VA
Nov 3 - Pinhook, Durham, NC
Nov 4 - Green Room, Athens, GA
Nov 5 - The Other Basement, Nashville, TN
Nov 6 - TBA, Memphis, TN
Nov 7 - Circle Bar, New Orleans, LA
Nov 8 - Crown and Harp, Dallas, TX
Nov 9 - Museum of Human Achievement, Austin, TX
Nov 10 - TBA
Nov 11 - Burt's Tiki Lounge, Albuquerque, NM
Nov 12 - TLMS, Tuscon, AZ
Nov 13 - TBA, Flagstaff, AZ
Nov 14 - Katzen Culture Club, Los Angeles, CA
Nov 15 - TBA, San Francisco, CA
Nov 16 - Alibi, Arcata, CA
Nov 17 - Rontoms, Portland, OR
Nov 18 - Hollow Earth Radio, Seattle, WA
* with Cult Babies

 

Ketamines 7" Coming Soon!

Hello Internet!

We at Mint just wanted to let you know about our most recent collaboration. This time, we're partnering with the intrepid Ketamines, who are presently preparing to tour Canada with our pals Tough Age AND piecing together a collection of four 7" records that will be released on various labels. We'll be helping them get the fourth, and maybe final in the series, out this winter.

The artwork matches up to form a giant collage, made by scissor enthusiast and artist, Felix Morel of Montreal. COLLECT ALL FOUR. The other three are available from Pleasence Records, Leaning Trees Records and Hosehead Records or from the band on tour (go and see them already).

The Ketamines come from the prairie hinterland town of Lethbridge, Alberta, but presently call Toronto home. You can read more about them here.

 

The Ketamines on tour: 

Aug 14 - Toronto, Ontario at Parts and Labour %

Aug 22 - Hamilton, ON at This Ain't Hollywood *

Aug 23 - Toronto, ON at Imperial Lounge *

Aug 24 - Windsor, ON at Phog Lounge *

Aug 25 - St. Catherines, ON at Niagara Artists Centre *

Aug 27 - London, ON at Call the Office *

Aug 28 - Guelph, ON at Van Gogh's Ear *

Aug 29 - Kingston, ON at The Artel *

Aug 30 - Ottawa, ON at Gabba Hey! *

Sept 01 - Kitchener, ON at Uncross Your Arms Fest *#

Nov 15 - Toronto, Ontario at Silver Dollar - Mammoth Cave Anniversary Bash!

 

* with Tough Age # with Sam Coffey

% with Human Eye, Cellphone and Wrong Hole

BIG NEWS: Tough Age is the latest addition to the Mint Records Roster!!

BIG NEWS: Vancouver's Tough Age is the newest addition to the Mint Records Roster! Tough Age blends scrappy pop-punk with surf overtones and are influenced by obscure '60s CanCon singles, Guided By Voices, cats and comic books. On Friday, Jarrett K (Korean Gut, Apollo Ghosts), Penny Clark, Lauren Smith and Chris Martell, who is a drumming wizard, came by for drinks and made it official. We're thrilled to be working with them and will be releasing a full-length release this fall. 

Tough Age on Tour:
 
August 22 / Hamilton / This Ain't Hollywood
August 23 / Toronto / TBA
August 24 / Windsor / Phog Lounge
August 25 / St. Catharines / Niagara Artists Center
August 27 / London / Call the Office 
August 28 / Guelph / Van Gogh's Ear
August 29 / Kingston / The Artel 
August 30 / Ottawa / Gabba Hey!
August 31 / Montreal / TBA
Septeber 01 / Kitchener / Uncross Your Arms Festival 
*all dates with The Ketamines

You can stream some Tough Age demos, and a new song, on bandcamp here. 
 
And here is Korean Gut's "In My Socialist Choir" from our most recent CiTR Pop Alliance Compilation.
 

Mint Records at Sled Island!

Hello! June is festival month! And we’re once again hosting a free afternoon party at Sled Island. This time, it is upstairs at The Palomino on Friday, June 21, and we’re bringing along three of our recent signings, Jay Arner, Pick a Piper and the intrepid Renny Wilson. Hope to see you there!

 

Mint Records at Sled Island!

Friday, June 21st at The Palomino (109 7 Ave SW) 

Featuring: Jay Arner, Pick a Piper, Renny Wilson

12-3:30pm, Free (but not all ages – sorry!)

 

Pick a Piper - on at 12:30pm

The Toronto-based three-piece, Pick a Piper is an electronic project led by Brad Weber, who you may recognize as Caribou’s touring drummer. Their self-titled debut is hypnotic, percussive and chock full of guest appearances including members of Braids, The Ruby Suns and The Born Ruffians. Recently, a handful like-minded electronic artists including Caribou, The Junior Boys, Teen Daze, and many others remixed Pick a Piper songs. The band is presently touring Canada to promote their self-titled Mint Records debut.

"Weber has a knack for combining electronic and organic elements into dreamy psych-pop that sounds as good on the dance floor as it does through a pair of headphones." - Now Toronto (NNNN)
"The eight-track effort blends watery, disembodied grooves and shimmering atmospherics with tight-wristed percussion and guest vocals (from members of the Ruby Suns, Enon and Brainiac, Born Ruffians, and Braids) that also keep your feet fixed firmly on the ground." – SPIN

Jay Arner - on at 1:30pm

For years, Vancouver multi-instrumentalist Jay Arner has teamed up with others to translate the sounds in his head. He's fronted an indie rock band, played synthesizers and samplers in a pop duo, manned the drums for a piano-punk songwriter, and held down the bass in a eight-member collective. Along the way, he's also become a sought-after producer and remix artist, working out of the legendary Hive studios and recording acts like Mount Eerie, Apollo Ghosts, Rose Melberg, No Gold and many more.

Now, finally, he is going it alone. Every sound you hear on his eponymous debut album — due out on June 25th on Mint Records — was self-recorded by Arner in his 72-square-foot practice space using a precariously perched desktop computer and his home recording gear. The sum of his many talents, these 10 songs sizzle with DIY energy and encompass the scope of the songwriter's diverse resume.

“Jay comes correct on his long-play solo debut. This is no mere vanity trip for the Van City staple, as the unassuming mug on the cover laid down every note, lick and casual drum fill. Swoon-inducing New Romanticism and feather-banged bombast is the top down, drive time soundtrack for summer ’13.” – Weird Canada
"...Arner expertly folds sour feelings into his semi-sweet sounds and, as "Midnight on South Granville" accumulates quivery layers of analogue synths and builds gracefully to its conclusion, it becomes quietly riveting." – Pitchfork

Renny Wilson - on at 2:30pm

After almost a decade of struggle, strain, and delay, the debut record from Edmontonian Renny Wilson has now seen the light. His first ever release Sugarglider draws blood from disco keystones such as Bad Girls, and the spirit of Arthur Russell. Common elements of chillwave, krautrock, and a healthy dose of Haunted Graffiti can also be heard in a bold, tempo-matched digital-delay. The man, and his outrageous performancejust might be the most memorable thing you see all week.

"Sugarglider is a revelatory listen that exposes a genuine talent who's managed to excel at effortlessly nailing a distinct sound." - Exclaim!
“Chock full of gummy basslines, tony sax hooks, and spaced-out disco nods, Sugarglider feels like the soundtrack to a slideshow of some faded, pimply prom photos.” – Pitchfork