Mint Signs Fanshaw, Announces X-Mas Party

11/26/09 4:09pm

by Mark Teo (CHARTattack)

Whenever "redhead" and Mint Records are mentioned in the same breath, it tends to elicit a very specific name (hint: it starts with "N" and ends with "Eko Case").

But that's about to change.

Mint have signed another auburn-tressed chanteuse: B.C. songsmith Fanshaw, née Olivia Fetherstonhaugh.

She's a former member of west coast group The Choir Practise — who boasted members of the New Pornographers, The Buttless Chaps, and Blood Meridian — and Fanshaw is a project all her own.

Her mellow folk-pop album, Dark Eyes, is the culmination of a half-decade's work. It will be released by Mint on Feb. 9.

Fetherstonhaugh's gorgeous vocals, which alternate between haunting and self-assured, are central to Fanshaw's music. Still, that hasn't stopped her from recruiting several talented friends to back up her album, including Kellarissa's Larissa Lloyva and Love And Mathematics' Shane Turner.

In related news, Mint will hold their ninth annual Christmas bash on Dec. 4 at Vancouver's Biltmore Cabaret. Fanshaw lend her services to the party, along with Aunts And Uncles, New Pornographers/Immaculate Machine member Kathryn Calder, Kellarissa, Vancougar, The Pack A.D. and Carolyn Mark.