Since it was founded in 1991, Mint Records has been a centrepiece in the Canadian music scene. The Vancouver-based label has been responsible for the release of records by best-selling and popular homegrown artists like the New Pornographers and the Evaporators, while housing non-local acts including Calgary’s Huevos Rancheros and California’s Andrew W.K.

Mint has also been throwing its Ridiculously Early Christmas Party for nearly as long as its inception. Held in the beginning of December before the holiday madness fully kicks in, the seasonal affair features performances from a handful of bands both from the Mint catalog and special guests from outside of it. This year, the party will be on December 5 at the Astoria Pub. “It’s just a good time to gather as friends and not really have any conflicting commitments,” explains label manager, Robert Catherall. “It’s a fun party for us where we get to celebrate being around all our friends and [the] bands that we love.”

The lineup includes seven bands, five of which are signed to Mint Records and have had a recent release within the last two years. Alongside roster-mates Renny Wilsoon (Edmonton/Montreal), Faith Healer (Edmonton), Monomyth (Montreal/Halifax), Fake Tears (Vancouver), and Energy Slime (Vancouver), are Supermoon and Uptights — both Vancouver-based additions and close cronies of Mint’s. “We always invite one or two what we would consider to be ‘friend bands,’” Catherall says. “People we’re close with that don’t necessarily have a release on the label.” With Supermoon, he continues, the label just really likes what they do. “They played our Christmas party last year and it was a really great show, so we just invited them again because we love their music and love hanging out with them.”

Mint will match proceeds from the door and donate it to a variety of local not-for-profit organizations, including Girls Rock Camp Vancouver, Safe Amplification Site Society, and VOKRA (Vancouver Orphaned Kitten Rescue Association). The first 50 people who arrive to the party will also receive special gift bags filled with goodies like gift certificates from Horses Records, Zulu Records, and Red Cat Records, as well as a secret, limited edition Mint release that won’t be available anywhere else. Says Catherall, “It’s a bit of a surprise!”

Mint Records’ Ridiculously Early Christmas Party

When: Saturday, December 5

Where: Astoria Pub – 769 East Hastings Street

Tickets: $12 via Brown Paper Tickets or in-store at Horses Records, Red Cat Records, and Zulu Records