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)

Phew, this year’s Mint Records Just in Time for Xmas parties are over. And, after two action-packed nights at the Railway club, we’ve managed to raise $4,343 for our neighbours at The PHS Community Services Society, who provide sustainable housing and services to high-risk individuals in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side.

For the past 13+ years, Mint Records has been headquartered in the Dominion Building in Vancouver. In other words, for the past 13+ years, Mint Records has been neighbours with what is commonly known as the Downtown Eastside, or also recognized as the poorest postal code in Canada.

The Pack AD are sending out postcards from their upcoming USA tour. If you like seeing things other than bills in the mail, send your name and address to info@mintrecs.com (preferably before March 8th) and Becky or Maya will personally write you a postcard from their tour. After their big Canadian tour last summer, Becky and Maya learned that touring results in many hours of driving.

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.

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!

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!

It's that time again; we're on the hunt for our next Mintern.

We love our Minterns. Minterns typically tackle a variety of projects, many that contribute to promoting upcoming albums and tours. Minterns also help maintain peace and ballance in the office. Sure, it’s not 100% glamorous, but, there are several perks to Minterning. Minterns will make interesting new friends. Minterns will be sent to a few shows. Minterns will sample a release or two before they hit the streets. Everyone wins.

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.