The Mint Chicks are a seminal slice of New Zealand’s indie music scene. 

Fronted by Ruban Nielson and his brother Kody, the noise rock and art punk band swept the Aotearoa Music Awards back in 2007 with their sophomore album “Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!’. 

And now, twenty years on from its release, the album is being recognised at the Taites – receiving the IMNZ Classic Record.  

It’s one of New Zealand’s most respected prizes, and the type of honour Ruban is appreciating more as he grows older. 

“I used to not really understand how important these things are,” he told Jack Tame. 

“I guess it’s like in any job, you’re sort of like, just doing stuff all the time, and then it’s nice to reflect and be like, oh, we kind of like, achieved something.” 

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