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If you’ve spent any time in the Canadian music scene, chances are you’ve heard whispers (or shouts) about Mint Records. This beloved Vancouver-based indie label has been doing its own thing since 1991, and doing it very well.
It doesn’t matter if it’s fuzzy punk, dreamy art pop, or something you can’t even name yet, Mint has always had a sixth sense for spotting the good stuff before anyone else.
Mint Records was founded by two friends, Randy Iwata and Bill Baker, who met while working at UBC’s student radio station, CiTR. What started as a way to release local music turned into one of Canada’s most iconic independent labels.
In the early days, they helped put bands like “cub” and “The New Pornographers” on the map. They earned international attention for their offbeat, DIY approach and fiercely catchy sound.
Ask anyone who works with them, and they’ll tell you Mint Records is more than just a business. “There’s a family feeling to it,” says label manager Robert Catherall. “We’re all friends, and we hang out a lot outside of work.”
That sense of community translates into how they support their artists. No stuffy A&R meetings. No corporate algorithms. Just genuine love for music and the people who make it.
Over the years, Mint has been home to some serious talent. Past and present artists include:
- Neko Case
- The Pack A.D.
- cub
- The Evaporators
- Faith Healer
- Wares
- Sook-Yin Lee
- Future Star
From jangly indie rock to gritty punk to experimental pop, Mint doesn’t play favourites when it comes to genre. They just care that it’s good.
The music world has changed a lot since the ‘90s. CDs gave way to MP3s, which gave way to streaming, and whatever’s next. Through it all, Mint has stayed true to its ethos to support artists, keep it independent, and never lose the fun.
They’ve survived distribution collapses, industry curveballs, and the digital streaming grind. And they’ve done this without selling out. Instead, they did it by staying scrappy and creative.
Three decades in, Mint Records is still evolving. They’re still signing exciting new artists, still putting out vinyl, and still throwing shows that remind you why live music matters.
And while they’re definitely nostalgic for the golden age of zines and DIY tours, they’re not stuck in the past. Mint is always looking for fresh voices with something real to say.
Written by Alana Black | Evolution Media
Contact: ablack23@my.bcit.ca