The music business is a fickle thing. Within the past couple of decades, the explosion of CDs has been replaced by the rise of illegal downloading, which was countered by a resurgence in vinyl sales and the growth of online streaming. On a local level, venues have come and gone, and the Vancouver scene has seen an ever-changing stream of fresh faces and new trends.
Throughout it all, Vancouver’s Mint Records has held its ground, remaining a consistent staple of Canada’s indie underground. Founded in 1991 by Bill Baker and Randy Iwata, the company has thrived with a unique business model: to favour community over commercial gain, and to build a roster made up of friends.
“There’s a family feeling to it,” reflects label manager Robert Catherall, speaking with Westender at Mint’s cozy downtown office overlooking Victory Square. “Everyone is very friendly towards each other, we’re all friends, and we hang out a lot outside of work. That makes for a really solid relationship, when you know that you can stand to be in the same room as someone for an enduring amount of time.”
Of all the acts on Mint’s roster, songwriter Larissa Loyva is particularly familiar with its sense of community. She has been with the label for more than a decade, having released spectral solo albums as Kellarissa and playing in the bands Fake Tears, P:ano and the Choir Practice. When discussing her attachment to the company during an interview at the Heatley, she unknowingly echoes Catherall’s wording. “I often call it the Mint family, because it feels like a family,” she says. “I like that they’re downtown and I can swing by anytime I have a question or just want to say hi.”
This friends-first approach to business has translated into a diverse roster of eclectic acts. Although Mint was once known as a source for high-energy pop-rock thanks to back catalogue artists like the New Pornographers and Cub, the current Mint family ranges from the spooky synth incantations of Fake Tears to the vintage psychedelia of Faith Healer to the explosive garage rock of Tough Age.
Even the happiest of families go through changes, however, and there have been some shakeups in recent years: longtime label manager Shena Yoshida recently departed and was replaced by former intern Catherall, while licensing specialist Baker now performs his duties from his home in Summerland and newcomer Adrienne LaBelle sometimes comes on board to help with mail orders. Catherall says that these personnel changes have made for a “smooth transition,” and the label is eagerly making plans for its 25th anniversary in 2016.
Before celebrating its quarter-century milestone, Mint will be hosting its annual Ridiculously Early Xmas Party concert, which will bring seven bands to the Astoria on Dec. 5. The label is releasing a free cassette compilation entitled Hot Heros 2 just for the occasion. This party is the ultimate expression of Mint’s community spirit.
“It’s a great time when everyone in Vancouver gets to forget about all of the obligations that they have to their actual family and get to hang out with their fun family,” Catherall explains with a smile.
Loyva feels similarly. “I love going to the party and knowing more than half of the people there,” she says, adding that being in her 30s makes her particularly grateful for the label’s tight-knit atmosphere. “I think a lot of people our age don’t have that kind of social circle, where they’ll go to a bar and know everyone — unless they live in a small town or something. I think it’s very important for the music community.”
There’s good news for Vancouverites who don’t yet belong to this community: tickets to the party are just $12, and the Mint extended family is always welcoming to new members.
• The annual Mint Records tradition returns this Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Astoria. This year’s lineup features Renny Wilson, Faith Healer, Monomyth, Fake Tears, Energy Slime, Supermoon, and Uptights, with CiTR DJs Femconcept spinning tunes in between sets. Get there early as there will be goodie bags full of gifts for the first 50 people through the doors. Tickets are $12 through BrownPaperTickets.com or at Horses, Red Cat, and Zulu Records. Mint Records will be matching the door cash and donating it to Girls Rock Camp Vancouver, Safe Amplification Site Society, and VOKRA.
