Our ferocious duo, The Pack a.d. can now add "Juno Nominee" to their long long list of accomplishments. Congratulations Becky and Maya, you've earned this one! We're looking forward to seeing what these two do next as they've been keeping busy, recording a new album and scheming to take over the world.

 

You can check out the full list of nominees here.

We'd like to take a moment to share some good news with you. We've added Toronto's Pick a Piper to the Mint Records roster! The band is made up of Brad Weber, who you may remember as a touring member of Caribou, as well his friends Clint Scrivener, Angus Fraser and Dan Roberts. Pick a Piper’s self-titled April 2nd debut features guest appearances from members of The Ruby Suns, Enon/Braniac, Born Ruffians and Braids. 

You can download the band's first single here: 

Remember that time we got really high off of paint fumes while silkscreening Mint/CiTR Pop Alliance LP covers? Well, this March, we're going to open the windows and do it again. GET READY for VOLUME 3 of the Mint/CiTR Pop Alliance Compilation! It will be out on Tuesday, March 5th, 2013.

To carry on the Pop Alliance tradition, we called upon CiTR’s Duncan McHugh (aka: the host of Duncan’s Donuts) to bring together 14 of Vancouver's finest including Jay Arner, Movieland, Korean Gut (RIP), Peace and more. Many songs are un-released and once again, all proceeds will go back to CiTR 101.9 - the birthplace of Mint Records! 

Only 300 of these waxy gems will be pressed, carefully silkscreened by the station's volunteers and numbered by hand. You can get one by donating to the station during their upcoming funding drive (Feb 28 - Mar 8), pre-ordering the release from us, or waiting for the record to hit record store shelves on Tuesday March 5th, 2013.

And while we're rambling, check out the incredible album artwork from former CiTR DJ, Melanie Coles. Mr. Jay Arner also deserves a golden star for mastering this creation and producing many of the tracks on the record.

To unleash this record in style, we're rounding up as many of the bands on the comp as possible (the lineup is currently TBD) and taking over Chapel Arts (204 Dunlevy) for an evening. This time, we're setting up not one, but two stages. Mark Friday, March 8th on your calendar, it's going to be swell! 

Now, you're probably wondering about the bands: 

MovielandMovieland is Alie, Selina, Adrienne and Davina. They take turns writing their own songs.“1-2-3-4 Get Fucked” comes from their so-to-be released debut on Green Burrito Records. It was mixed and recorded by Mr. Jay Arner.

PeaceAccording to Spin, “Your Hand in Mine” is a moonlit number with a heavy heart and dead eyes. We borrowed this track from their 2012 release called The World is Too Much With Us (Suicide Squeeze).

Jay ArnerJay Arner is the multitalented man-about-town who co-recorded the new Apollo Ghosts record and contributes to bands including Fine MistBleating Hearts and Gal Gracen. He was kind enough to produce several songs on this compilation and mastered the release too. His upcoming TBD solo project is something you should probably look out for!

Gal GracenPatrick Geraghty, of Role Mach (you may remember him from Vol 2 of The Pop Alliance collection), calls his newest band Gal Gracen and his live band features Adrian from Apollo Ghosts as well as Jay Arner.

PUPSPUPS is Caitlin Livingston, Katie Gravestock and Rose Melberg. They are from Vancouver, B.C.

FanshawOlivia Fetherstonhaugh aka Fanshaw is known for taking her time with songwriting. This is the first song that has surfaced since her Dark Eyes debut. After listening to this and her previous release, we’ll be right here, patiently waiting to see what she does next. 

Aaron ReadBorn and recording in Burnaby, BC, Aaron Read makes maunal pop songs with guitars, drums, voices, noises and keyboards. Songs are made out of and always inspired by friends, family, films, experiences and field recordings.  In 2011, he captured our interest with his debut record, Bubble Skulls. Since Aaron is a total mensch, he recorded “Unlimited Sight” especially for us. Thanks again Aaron! 

Korean Gut: Korean Gut is a surf-garage band, but they don't exist anymore. Jarrett wrote this song about something their bass player said at practice, and it morphed into a bitter rant against people who confront you in troubled times just to feel better about themselves. At least it wasn't about comic books for once. You should probably check out theirYour Misery – Our Benefit 7” (Mammoth Cave). It is a thing of true beauty. When we told them about this comp, Korean Gut were kind enough to record this song just for us. 

Needles//PinsThis is powery, poppy, garagey, punkish stuff from Vancouver, BC. “I Heart Drugs” came from their 2012 creation 12:34 (Mammoth Cave).

The CourtneysSun drenched flying nun influenced pop with sweet licks that'll stick with you for days. 

“The Courtneys are one of those bands that you can file under “feel-good.” I mean, the three-piece named their first release Keanu Reeves (yes, after THAT Keanu Reeves), and their songs don’t have a single angry bone of note.” – Vice

The ladies even have a video for "90210" – you can watch it here.

Babysitter"Victoria B.C.’s Babysitter are a savvy bunch of garage gourmets whose love of lo-fi and d.i.y. decor is honest and appealing." – Discorder

We should also mention, “Be Cool” is an outtake from their 2012 full-length debut called Eye (Psychic Handshake). 

BankrobberThis is Jordan Minkoff from Slam Dunk's other band, which pretty much automatically makes them awesome. Bankrobber is and will always be the band most closely associated with it's roots firmly planted in a mix of this meets that and vice versa. Since 2010 it has been Bankrobber that has been making that familiar sound of a dog biting a dog on a doglog.

WeedWeed is a heavy, grungey pop band from Vancouver, BC that features Will Anderson, Kevin Doherty, Hugo Noriega and Bobby Siadat. When not recording they play all-ages shows and publish a free monthly newsletter with Lucky’s Comics called "Dunk". This song is from last year's Gun Control EP. They just finished recording their debut LP in Seattle to be released in mid-2013.

SleuthSleuth are the 2011 CiTR Shindig Winners, have been featured on a Cloudberry Records compilation, played NYC Popfest last year, have one release, Brave Knew Nothing and are currently working on new recordings. Besides tipsy bowling with Mint Records, The Lion in Love, Julian Bowers, Oliver McTavish-Wisden and Leon Easter enjoy long walks on the beach and evenings by the fire.

"If you’ve been reading The FADER for a good couple of years, you’d know that there’s been a long-standing soft spot Studio, a now defunct duo that made beach disco perfect for lazing around. If you caught me in the right moment, I would probably tell you it was the best thing to ever exist. Renny Wilson—who probably spends a lot of time listening to yacht rock and old disco—has created a song that sits comfortably up there with Studio’s woefully small catalog. It’s lush and pretty, and more importantly: soft. Not in a bad way, though. It’s more that it feels blurred at the edges, existing in a constant half-sleep state of near bliss. Renny Wilson’s Sugarglider comes out January 22nd on Mint Records." 

Read more: http://www.thefader.com/2012/11/30/stream-renny-wilson-by-and-by/#ixzz2E2G0pDXH

We at Mint Records are proud to announce our latest signing, Edmonton Alberta's, Renny Wilson. Now, Renny Wilson is not your typical young man. He's a gentleman. He can sport a Canadian tuxedo like no other. And he is a menacing presence both in the studio and on the dance floor. Soon, Renny will win you over with his dizzy, saxified pop indulgences. Look out for his Mint Records debut, Sugarglider in early 2013. 

To give you a little more insight, Renny once described his musical being as "A film starring Hall & Oates set on a cruise ship with Donna Summer playing the woman of interest. Competition for her love nearly tears them apart, but they soon find out she and her accomplice, played by Paul McCartney, are plotting to sink the ship! Also, Al Green is the ship's resident crooner." We're just going to say that Sugarglider is our go-to party record these days and we're pretty sure you'll agree.

"As a rule, I pretty much love blissed-out, hypnotic, sax-filled jams, so I was already going to enjoy “By and By”, the new single from Edmonton’s Renny Wilson, but throw in a sexy jeans & gyration-filled, self-shot video, and you can set the Friday Fun meter to 10+++." - Herohill.com

Ooh! Our quirky-fun friends, Hot Panda are still on the road! If you haven’t caught one of their shows, they’ll be joining The Bicycles (of Toronto) for some Western Canadian dates. Since we love our Fuzzy Logic friends and The Bicycles, we think this is a match made in heaven. Now quick, go to their shows. Or, um, mark them down on your calendar!

Nov 15 – Vancouver, BC @ Di’Metric Studio (with The Bicycles, Gang Violence, The Clipse and Women)

Nov 16 - Victoria, BC @ CAMAS (with The Bicycles and Prairie Cat)

Nov 18 – Cumberland, BC @ The Waverly (with The Bicycles)

Nov 19 - Kelowna, BC @ Habitat (with The Bicycles and Prairie Cat)

Nov 20 – Calgary, AB @ Broken City (with The Bicycles)

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.

A collection of slow burning torchlight country heartbreakers, roadhouse style Johnny & June anthems & odes to the touring lifestyle, Let's Just Stay Here covers a lot of miles on the musical road map of touring excess.

N.Q. Arbuckle and Miss Carolyn set their minds on creating a "rock" record together after a summer of touring Southern Alberta. Not like AC/DC rock, more like Lucinda Williams/Wilco/Tom Petty rock. Carolyn lovingly calls it her Rumours. We think you'll love it too.

The Players:
Carolyn Mark: vocals, guitar, piano, wurlitzer, Jacobson's Organ
N.Q. Arbuckle: vocals, guitar, poking stick
Peter Kesper: all manner of guitars, steel, pedal steel, Weisenborn, harmony vocals, banjo
John Dinsmore: bass, banjo, mandolin, guitar, harmony vocals, charm
Mark Kesper: drums, percussion, common sense

The Guests:
Jenny Whiteley: lady harmonies
Lily Fawn: musical saw
Corb Lund: mandolin
Miranda Mullholland: violin

Track Listing:
All Time Low
Officer Down
The 2nd Time
Saskatoon Tonight
Downtime
Itchy Feet
Passing Dream
Canada Day Off/Toronto
Too Sober To Sleep
Sunday Morning
When I Come Back
Let's Just Stay Here

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. This tour will also be their farewell tour for 2010's we kill computers (Mint), so be prepared to experience a song or two from The Pack a.d.'s upcoming 4th album, due out this fall and produced by Jim Diamond (The Detroit Cobras, Electric Six, The White Stripes).

Also keep your eyes peeled for a video for "B.C. Is On Fire", due out in late May and directed by Vancouver filmmaker Sean Devlin (shitharperdid.ca).

To commemorate the life and times of Falcon, they are asking fans to send a postcard or letter explaining their favourite road trip story. The best three submissions will receive a Pack a.d. prize pack including signed vinyl and other surprises. Include your return address as well, you might even get some mail back from the band!

Send your best road trip story to:

The Pack a.d.
c/o Mint Records
Po Box 3613
Vancouver, BC
V6B 3Y6

Entry deadline: June 1st, 2011

Upcoming Tour Dates:

May 14th - The Red Room, Vancouver, BC
May 21st - The Elite, Penticton, BC
June 1st - The Seahorse Tavern, Halifax, NS
June 2nd - Manhattan Club, Moncton, NB
June 3rd - Baba's, Charlottetown, PEI
June 4th - Gallery Connexion, Fredericton, NB
June 7th - Mansion House, St Catharines, ON
June 8th - London Music Club, London, ON
June 10th - Le Divan Orange, Montreal, QC
June 11th - Westfest (Mainstage), Ottawa, ON
June 12th - Le Cercle, Quebec
June 17th - The Horseshoe Tavern (NXNE), Toronto, ON
June 18th - Poplar Arts & Music Fest, Saskatoon, SK
June 24th - Sunstroke Festival, Whitehorse, YK
June 25th - Sunstroke Festival, Whitehorse, YK
July 8th - Sounds of Old Strath Fest, Edmonton, AB
July 9th - Sounds of Old Strath Fest, Edmonton, AB
July 16th - Nakusp Music Fest, Nakusp, BC
July 22nd - Gateway Fest (Garden Stage), Bengough, SK

Aside from their really cold winters, Winnipeg has some good things going on. Especially when it boils down to their resident bands. Thanks to their friends, The Weakerthans, Mint’s mod-popsters, Novillero will soon be making their way across the sea to support the German indie rock sensation, Tomte on a tour that weaves throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It’s exciting stuff for our Winnipeg gentlemen.

Since their September 08 release, A Little Tradition, the band has toured Canada, played Pop Montreal and will soon be in New York for CMJ.

Listen to A Little Tradition here. And tell your far away friends!

05.11.08 Hannover Capitol
06.11.08 Köln - E-Werk
07.11.08 Essen - Weststadthalle
08.11.08 Bielefeld - Ringlokschuppen
09.11.08 Magdeburg - Factory
10.11.08 Wiesbaden - Schlachthof
11.11.08 Saarbrücken - Garage
12.11.08 Bremen - Schlachthof
13.11.08 OFF
14.11.08 Dresden - Reithalle
15.11.08 A-Wien - Arena
16.11.08 München - Tonhalle
17.11.08 Stuttgart - Theaterhaus
18.11.08 CH-Zürich - Rohstofflager
19.11.08 Erlangen - E-Werk
20.11.08 Lingen - Alter Schlachthof
21.11.08 Hamburg - Große Freiheit 36
22.11.08 Hamburg - Große Freiheit 36 TBC

“Novillerro, Slaughter’s newest outfit, has put no such restriction on their sound, and the difference is immediately obvious. Keyboards, horns and other flourishes flesh out the arrangements, giving a full complement of textures to the band’s cleverly crafted rock.” – FFWD
“Novillero's A Little Tradition shows what widespread experience and exceptional musicianship can really produce. The Winnipeg band's four members, each accomplished in separate past projects as well as boasting two full-length releases, cooperate seamlessly together to form an indie rock album that has very few flaws.” – 30music.com