Love it or hate it, winter is coming, and with the changing of the seasons brings the inevitable infestation of festivities: Christmas will soon be everywhere and there’s nothing you can do about it.
So if you can’t beat 'em, how, fair Grinch, can you join 'em? Lucky for us, The Mint Records Ridiculously Early Xmas Party is here as a gateway party to warm you up for the holidays, even if you’d rather gouge your eyes out with charcoal candy canes. Offering a plethora of local talent from the Mint Records roster, this year we will be graced with the likes of Jay Arner, Tough Age, Duotang, Hag Face, Supermoon, and Fake Tears to name a few, as well as a healthy dose of secular tunes to even out the holiday cheer (they’ve got your back, el Grinchos).
We spoke with Shena Yoshida of Mint Records about this years festivities and some of their most legendary nights.
My first Mint Records Christmas Party experience was legendary. 2006: Franz Ferdinand joining The Evaporators on stage, chaos ensued. One of my best Vancouver memories. What are some of the most memorable years?
I think that was my first Mint Xmas Party too. It's definitely the year that everyone talks about. In addition to the surprise Franz Ferdinand appearance I believe that was also The Organ's last Vancouver show. Our party in 2011, which doubled as our 20th anniversary show, was one of the most memorable, mostly because we had two stages and 13 bands playing. A few of the early Mint bands, who hadn't played in years reunited for the night. We also ordered a giant cake! It was very ambitious. The hall shows are also generally really special, mostly because people don't always get out to The Ukrainian or The Cambrian Hall as often as they would pop by The Biltmore or The Owl.
Why so early?
We like being the first Christmas party every year. As it gets closer to the actual holiday, many people go on vacation. It is also tougher for out of town artists to travel; the Coquihalla gets ugly.
What makes the Mint Records Ridiculously Early Christmas Party such an integral part of Vancouver's music scene?
Randy [Iwata, Mint Records owner] always puts a ton of thought and effort into gathering door prizes. Last year we made custom Team Mint toques and Chris Martell, who plays in Tough Age and works at Lush, managed to get us a giant box of bath bombs. This year we have cassette compilations and canvas tote bags. It's also probably the only Vancouver event that has an ongoing Pocky sponsorship! We definitely have the best snacks. There is also a real sense of community at these shows. It's really special to see so many of the bands play together.
What I like about this party, aside from the obvious good times/music/drinking, is that bands don't necessarily play Christmas songs. There's something in it for everyone. What's the standard ratio of Christmas music to regular music?
Duncan McHugh, who has a show called Duncan's Donuts on CiTR, is our party DJ this year. I know he is capable of piecing together a solid holiday playlist but he typically mixes it up. I always feel bad for people who work in those Christmas stores that are open year-round. Hearing "Rudolph" four times every hour would probably make me crazy! We wouldn't want to put anyone through that at our party.
Word on the street is that Duotang are reuniting for this show. Are there any other surprises you can let us in on?
Jarrett and Penny from Tough Age recently moved to Toronto. They [were] in town to play the Mudhoney show... and are sticking around for our party too. I'm hoping to see Nardwuar there too.
Is Nardwuar the indie rock Santa Claus?
It's possible, he's also made of magic. Nardwuar always wears red plaid, if we could get him to attach a few jingle bells to his outfit, he could be an elf maybe?
The Mint Records Ridiculously Early Xmas Party will be taking place at The Electric Owl on Saturday, November 29th with Supermoon, Fake Tears, Hag Face (from Calgary), Jay Arner, Energy Slime, Duotang (from Winnipeg), Renny Wilson (from Edmonton/Montreal), DJ Duncan McHugh and more. Tickets are $13 available at Red Cat and Zulu Records. Mint will be matching door cash and donating it to S.A.I.N.T.S. Animal Rescue.
