Started by Neil Sabatino in 2007, Mint 400 Records initially started as a way for him to get his own band released under a label, but it has now grown to a label featuring over 60 bands and artists. The label supports each band/artist to their fullest, saying, “We try to do it all”.
Being a New Jersey-based label does not prohibit them from focusing only on New Jersey-based artists. In this list, I will showcase some of my favorite artists and bands from the label, spanning the weird and abstract alternative to the simple and friendly indie rock, they have all found their true sound thanks to Mint 400.
Swiims
Swiims is based out of Toronto, Canada, including four members lead singer Mai Diaz Langou, guitarist Colin Thompson, bassist Cian O’Ruanaidh, and drummer Craig McCann.
Blending a beautiful mix of synths, guitars, crisp drumming, and luscious vocals from Langou, Swiim’s sound is reminiscent of summery nights, windows down, blasting music full blast. They released their debut EP in 2020 titled “Through Waves”, introducing fans to their fuzzy and somewhat shoegaze-y sound.
Their debut album followed last year, titled “Into the Blue Night”, which featured standout songs, “All I Die For” and “In Puzzles”, which has a busier mix, but shows off their amazing production across their discography.
They continue to have shows locally in Toronto, performing recently at Toronto’s NXNE Festival which showcased a plethora of other emerging Canadian acts.
Those Looks
Those Looks is based out of Lambertville, NJ, featuring Kelly Bolding on vocals, Sylvia Barrantes on vocals and lead guitar, Randall Newman on bass, and Shaun Ellis on drums.
They released their debut EP in 2019 titled “Come Unto Me,” introducing their soft vocals and laid-back production to audiences. The mix of vocals from Bolding, Barrantes, and even Newman create this warm mix that I can imagine listening to while driving through the North Jersey farm fields and trees.
Their first album, “Cults Near Me,” went to a more indie-pop, dream-pop direction, but the quality stayed the same. The pedaled guitar adds a breath of fresh air to their already mature sound, allowing the simple instrumentation and mix to let the vocals stand out like they always do.
Their most recent release was last year, a single titled “Laundry and Taxes”, that returns them back to their folkier sound with strumming guitars. They have said they are currently recording for an upcoming project this month, so be on the lookout!
Mike Chick
From the beachy town of Asbury Park, NJ, Mike Chick has been releasing music since 2012 in his solo career but has ramped up his production since the pandemic.
Teetering on the more rockier edge of indie rock, Chick’s music is full of energy. Flying drums, soaring guitars, and his relaxed vocal delivery.
His early projects like the 2012 album “Hello Mountain” and the two “More Sh*t to End Up in a Landfill” EPs definitely focus on a more indie rock and folk sound, with Chick really appreciating and playing the acoustic guitar excellently with some intimate and more comedic songs.
Some singles, EPs, and his next album “‘I Don’t Write Love Songs’” all jump from folk to rock, but he finally lands at a more rocky release with the album he released this year, “More Thrills, Less Hills”.
Alternative, folk, and rock all fit on this album and across his discography perfectly. He has taken it pretty chill following his release, but more is surely to come.
Young Legs
Another New Jersey-based artist, Young Legs, or Steven Donahue, lives in the indie folk world, sprinkling in some electronic moments here and there.
Starting his career in 2010 with his debut EP “The Fog and the Forest”, he has always had folk routes present in his music. His soft and warm voice is a perfect pair for an acoustic guitar, but of course, he wanted to expand.
His next two albums released in 2015 and 2016, “Promise of Winter” and “The Petal and the Page”, had more traditional indie rock elements and some more sparks of electronic synths and mixing. The tempo picked up (at times), leading him to a more drastic shift with his following albums.
“Songs from Lost Valley” has some more grimier electronic mixes that are really interesting mixed in with his normal indie folk, before finally finding electronic comfort in the album he released this year, “Rare Earth Dream”.
The production is more spacious and dreamy, the vocals are altered and fuzzy, and there is more colorful energy present. It may be a change of pace from his discography, but it still stands as a great experimental indie rock LP.
Cantations
Living in the post-punk world, Cantations is a four-piece band out of the Jersey City area offering a unique blend to the post-punk/indie rock scene. Featuring Nicholas Maratta, Jeff McKeon, Dan Nagano-Gerace, and Ryan Treppedi, the typical drums, vocals, guitar, and bass are covered, but the added element of Nagano-Gerace on saxophone adds a new sound.
Their songs on their first singles and first EP, “GOOD”, are a bit more reserved than their current songs, as their debut album, “The Water Won’t Go Down”, offers more sax, more unique and more aggressive vocals.
The saxophone mixed with the vocals definitely takes inspiration from other experimental post-punk and alternative groups like black midi creating a whimsical sound landscape that remains ever intriguing.
They still perform constantly in Jersey City, specializing in the weird and experimental.
Via Crowe
In a different change of pace, Via Crowe’s more indie pop and soft indie rock-inspired sound remains vividly clear and rounded. Another New Jersey artist from the ever-classic Asbury Park area, her more powerful vocals with a slight jazz edge standout.
Being a new artist, releasing her first singles last year before her debut album, “Unfinished” released the same year, does not make her music any less impressive.
Her sound is extremely polished with the grooving nature of the guitar and drums creating that summery indie rock sound that so many artists are desperate for. Her range is lower, but that does not prevent her from reaching the full limits of it, demonstrating true vocal maturity at such a young age.
She has one more show for her “Summers By the East Coast Tour”, playing at the Rockwood Music Hall in Boston on July 6th, which I recommend people to check out.
Mint 400 Records is Making a Difference
Sabatino says it bluntly, “This label is about music,” and all of these artists showcase that. Different genres, different people, different areas, but the thing that connects everything together is the amazing music they produce.
Mint 400 Records has helped many artists and bands within the New Jersey area and beyond, and I am looking forward to other artists they can bring in the future.
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