Carolyn Mark doesn't sit still for long. She just put the finishing touches on a new record titled, Let's Just Stay Here and now she is burning down the great Canadian highway, probably on her way to a festival somewhere. The new album will be released on Mint Records this fall - on October 13th, to be precise. Now, we should also mention, Carolyn doesn't like to hog the spotlight, Let's Just Stay Here sees Carolyn teaming up with Toronto's Juno nominated (and Six Shooter stars) N.Q. Arbuckle for six Carolyn penned numbers, three N.Q. songs and and handful of covers.

The girls of The Pack AD are a well oiled touring machine, and after four months on the road they are still going strong! Exclaim and Mint Records offer you a chance to win autographed Pack AD treasures (including: the band's signed and destroyed cymbal/drum head, Pack A.D. vinyl, Mint samplers, a Mint tote bag and pins galore!). Hit up our pals at exclaim.ca here for contest details, then go see the girls tear the roof off of a venue near you!

The Pack A.D. play a homecoming gig at the Biltmore Cabaret in Vancouver, followed up with touring across Canada this summer.

Maya Miller and Becky Black of The Pack A.D. are the hardest working gals we know. They've been on the road non-stop since March (SXSW), traveling in the Falcon (their van) all across the USA, playing 84 shows in 95 days, each show winning them new friends and fans.

Summer is just around the corner, and the warmer weather brings the festivals!

NXNE is coming up soon and our Winnipeg locals Novillero and Edmonton comrades Hot Panda will be heading to the Toronto for some late night veggie dogs.

Hot Panda
Sat June 20
@ The Horseshoe Tavern
*CBC Radio 3 Showcase*

Novillero
Sat June 20
@ The El Mocambo

Gang, if you haven't been flattened by Hurricane Pack it's only a matter of time, so batten down the hatches and board up the windows, 'cause there's an ill wind blowing your way. Maya and Becky have been ripping it up stateside since MARCH 6 people, and they won't be finished until LATE MAY. You try it. I bet you don't have what it takes.

Anyway, the list is too long to post here, so linkup to our tour dates page here to see if your in the storm's path. Here are some extra special landfall warnings to watch out for:

NEWSFLASH!

Some exciting news for Hot Panda! After a brief encounter at SXSW and a frenzy of emails, our Hot Panda are joining the Von Bondies on their upcoming European tour. And they leave soon – on April 16th.

We're feeling good about our annual migration south of the Canadian border to SXSW. In March, we will be ditching the woolly mittens, packing our sunglasses, slathering on the sunscreen and getting in some quality time with new (and old) friends.

We've got two parties planned this year. The Evaporators, Hot Panda, Immaculate Machine, The Pack A.D., the Handsome Family and our friend Jill Barber will be playing our evening showcase on Saturday, March 21st at Habanna Calle 6.

We’ve stocked up on confetti and are counting down - only seven days until the release day of Hot Panda’s debut, Volcano… Bloody Volcano on February 10th (pre-order your copy now at Maple Music!).

After 10 years, 6 albums and countless tours, The Buttless Chaps have decided to part ways. No hard feelings exist amongst band members, just a feeling that it is time to move on to new musical projects and that the band has creatively run its course. The most recent incarnation of the band featured Dave Gowans on vocals, guitar and banjo, Morgan McDonald on keyboards, Lasse Lutick on guitar and synthesizer, Dan Gaucher on drums, and Ida Nilsen on vocals, accordion, synthesizer and euphonium.

Mint Records' newest signing, Hot Panda, are set to release their debut full length album Volcano... Bloody Volcano on February 10th, 2009. Hailing from Edmonton Alberta, Hot Panda formed during the particularly chilly winter of 2006 and have already become an experienced touring act, playing well over a hundred shows in a very short time (including CMJ and PopMontreal this past October).