Vancouver Buzz: Mint Records Makes An Impact In Vancouver and Beyond

As Mint Records celebrates 15 years of indie-rock goodness, things have never been more exciting amongst the ranks of its diverse roster. I spoke recently with label founder Randy Iwata and got the skinny on a myriad of exciting developments that are happening within the next few days.

Many of the label's finest are heading to tastemaker music festival South By Southwest in Austin, Texas from March 15-18. A cross-section of Mint bands will be performing, including Novillero, The Organ, Carolyn Mark, Immaculate Machine, The New Pornographers and Neko Case. One show will even feature Nardwuar and his video vault between bands. You can't get much more Vancouver than that.

Iwata also mentioned that the illustrious Mark will be hosting one of her legendary Hootenanny evenings at SXSW. In association with fellow Canuck record label Six Shooter, the list of guest performers will include a heap of great acts, including Cuff The Duke, The Meat Purveyors, Jenny Whiteley, Po'girl, Leather Uppers, The Heights, Katie Sketch, Luke Doucet, Christine Fellows, Shuyler Jansen, Matt Mays, Leeroy Stagger, Novillero and Immaculate Machine.

On the home front, Nardwuar is playing a CITR benefit show with his band The Evaporators at the Norm Theatre (in the UBC SUB) on March 7. The supporting act is none other than seminal pillow-wearing act Thee Goblins (best known for their classic song, "2x4"). The big scoop with this show is that Sloan's Chris Murphy is rumoured to be filling in for Evaps bassist John Collins, who's out of town on tour with The New Pornographers.

By attending this show, you'll help raise money for new equipment at CITR and also get a chance to see highlights from Nard's new Mint DVD, Doot Doola Doot Doot. I've been wading through the five hours of hilarious footage on this release all week. Pick it up if you get a chance, as it's well worth the money.

If you plan to attend the show, it's scheduled to start at 7:29 p.m. exactly. And don't forget to bring some merch money. The true symbol of Vancouver indie rock high fashion is a Thee Goblins T-shirt.

Another exciting development at camp Mint is the impending release of Case's new Fox Confessor Brings The Flood album. I got my hands on an advance copy last week and it hasn't left my stereo since. I predict big things on the horizon for Case. Check out her performance on Jay Leno's late-night talk show on March 9.

When it comes to upcoming concerts, all is not quiet on the western front. Here are a few of the fine shows on offer:

Ladyhawk and S.T.R.E.E.T.S are at the 156 W. Hastings Art Space on Friday.

Controller.Controller and The Meligrove Band bring their indie asses to the stage of Richard's On Richards on Friday.

Akron/Family bring their original selves to the Media Club on Saturday.

Mr. Plow unleashes his latest class act at the Astoria on Saturday with opening acts Alley Mattress, The Mad Cowboys and The Sweathogs.

Go Ghetto Tiger, Rio Bent and Mothra are at Pub 340 on March 10.

I'm off to worship at the alter of Karl Pilkington. See you in two weeks.

Send your Vancouver music news, show info, CDs or Funky Cold Media to vancouverbuzz@hotmail.com, or snail mail to: Attn: Trevor Hargreaves, #408, 65 1st St., New Westminster, B.C., V3L 5K9.