Pinacolada Records

Pinacolada Records is an independent record label based in Christchurch, New Zealand. The label began in September 2001 under the direction of local record collector and DJ Tim Baird. Its catalogue has covered a range of independent music, including electronic, house, alternative rock, post-punk and shoegaze-related releases. Rather than operating as a large commercial label, Pinacolada has functioned as a small, locally connected imprint whose releases have often documented artists and scenes associated with Christchurch and other parts of Aotearoa New Zealand. The label's early catalogue included 12-inch singles and albums by artists such as Rockwood, Thisinformation featuring Mark de Clive-Lowe, Headspace, Fanatica and the Shocking Pinks. One of its best-known early releases was Dance the Dance Electric, the 2004 debut full-length album by the Shocking Pinks. The group later became associated with DFA Records, making the Pinacolada release an important early document in the band's career. The label also issued work by Pig Out!, whose Club Poems appeared in 2006, and the Tiger Tones' self-titled album in April 2008. Pinacolada Records then entered a long hiatus after the Tiger Tones release. The label resumed activity in May 2023, with its revived programme emphasizing archival and historically significant material from Christchurch's independent music community. Its first release after the hiatus was a collaboration with Christchurch label Leather Jacket Records: a compilation of hard-to-find recordings and live material by Christchurch post-punk band the Playthings. Issued on 12-inch vinyl, digitally and on minidisc on May 6, 2023, the release reached number one on the Official Aotearoa New Zealand Chart and number 11 on the Official Aotearoa New Zealand Album Chart during the week of May 13. Pinacolada and Leather Jacket Records collaborated again in December 2024 on a vinyl and digital reissue of Barnards Star's 1999 debut EP. The EP had previously been available only on CD. Barnards Star reunited for a release event at Space Academy in Christchurch on December 14, 2024, their first performance together in almost 25 years. The reissue debuted at number eight on the Aotearoa New Zealand album chart. The label's most recent referenced release is Pearly*'s debut album Not So Sweet, issued on August 29, 2025, in partnership with Leather Jacket Records. Flying Nun Records handled digital streaming, some marketing and all distribution for the release. The album debuted at number six on the Aotearoa New Zealand album chart. This activity illustrates Pinacolada's role as a specialist independent imprint: it combines new releases with archival reissues, works through partnerships with other New Zealand labels, and uses physical formats such as vinyl, compact disc and minidisc alongside digital distribution.

Pinacolada Records was established in Christchurch in September 2001 and was run by local record collector and DJ Tim Baird. Its initial catalogue reflected the breadth of independent music circulating through New Zealand's local scenes and DJ culture. The first documented release was Rockwood's 12-inch single pairing “Chee” with “Kung Fu Philosophy,” followed by Rockwood's album Trippers Guide to House in 2002. The label subsequently issued releases by Thisinformation featuring Mark de Clive-Lowe, Headspace and Fanatica, demonstrating an interest in electronic, house and instrumental music as well as band-based material. The label's profile broadened through its work with the Shocking Pinks. Pinacolada released the Christchurch group's debut full-length album, Dance the Dance Electric, on February 14, 2004. The record later became notable in the context of the group's association with DFA Records, although Pinacolada's release predates that wider international connection. The label continued with Pig Out!'s Club Poems in November 2006 and the Tiger Tones' self-titled album in April 2008. The Tiger Tones release marked the end of the label's initial active period, after which Pinacolada entered a hiatus. The imprint remained inactive until May 2023. Its return was built around a partnership with Leather Jacket Records, another Christchurch label. The first release of the revived period was a compilation of hard-to-find recordings and live material by the Christchurch post-punk band the Playthings. Released on May 6, 2023, in 12-inch vinyl, digital and minidisc formats, the project connected the label's renewed activity with the preservation and circulation of local music history. It achieved a number-one position on the Official Aotearoa New Zealand Chart and reached number 11 on the Official Aotearoa New Zealand Album Chart in the following chart week. The Pinacolada–Leather Jacket partnership continued in December 2024 with a reissue of Barnards Star's debut EP from 1999. The EP had originally been released only on CD, while the new edition made it available on vinyl and digitally. The release was accompanied by a reunion performance at Space Academy in Christchurch on December 14, 2024. The event was described as the band's first performance together in almost 25 years and was reported as a sold-out, well-received show. The reissue also performed strongly, debuting at number eight on the Aotearoa New Zealand album chart. In 2025, the label moved from archival work to a new artist album with Not So Sweet, the debut by Dunedin-based band Pearly*. Released on August 29, 2025, it was another collaboration with Leather Jacket Records. Flying Nun Records was involved in the release infrastructure, handling digital streaming, some marketing and all distribution. Not So Sweet debuted at number six on the Aotearoa New Zealand album chart. The label's documented trajectory therefore runs from small-format electronic and alternative releases in the early 2000s, through a lengthy hiatus, to a revived model combining local archival projects, reissues, new recordings and partnerships with other New Zealand music organizations.

• 2025

  Pearly* releases Not So Sweet

  [1]Pinacolada Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Pearly*'s debut album was released on August 29 through a Pinacolada and Leather Jacket Records collaboration and debuted at number six on the Aotearoa New Zealand album chart.

• 2024

  Barnards Star EP reissued

  [1]Pinacolada Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The label partnered with Leather Jacket Records to issue Barnards Star's 1999 debut EP on vinyl and digitally.

• 2023

  Label revived with The Playthings collaboration

  [1]Pinacolada Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Pinacolada returned in May with a Leather Jacket Records collaboration documenting recordings and live material by The Playthings.

• 2008

  Initial operating period ends

  [1]Pinacolada Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Following the April release of the Tiger Tones' self-titled album, the label entered a hiatus.

• 2004

  The Shocking Pinks release their debut album

  [1]Pinacolada Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Pinacolada issued Dance the Dance Electric, the Shocking Pinks' debut full-length album, on February 14.

• 2001

  Label established in Christchurch

  [1]Pinacolada Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Pinacolada Records began operating in September 2001 under the direction of Christchurch record collector and DJ Tim Baird.

A Christchurch-rooted independent label specializing in locally connected alternative music, archival releases and collaborative physical-format editions.

• 12-inch vinyl single · 2001

  Rockwood — Chee / Kung Fu Philosophy

  The documented first release in the Pinacolada catalogue, this 12-inch pairing established the label's early connection with independent DJ and electronic music culture. It was released in September 2001 under catalogue number PINA1201.

• Album · 2002

  Rockwood — Trippers Guide to House

  Rockwood's full-length album followed the label's first single and was issued on CD on November 25, 2002. It carried the catalogue number PINACD01 and extended Pinacolada's early focus on house-oriented and electronic music.

• 12-inch vinyl single · 2003

  Thisinformation featuring Mark de Clive-Lowe — Extensionz Of Da Mindz / Galaxy Blues

  This 12-inch release paired Thisinformation with musician Mark de Clive-Lowe. Issued in March 2003 as catalogue number PINA1202, it represents the label's early crossover between local independent production and wider electronic music networks.

• Album · 2004

  The Shocking Pinks — Dance the Dance Electric

  Dance the Dance Electric was the Shocking Pinks' debut full-length album and was released by Pinacolada on CD on February 14, 2004. The album is the label's most internationally notable early release because the band later became associated with DFA Records.

• Album · 2006

  Pig Out! — Club Poems

  Club Poems was released on November 20, 2006, as catalogue number PINACD03. It formed part of the label's expansion into alternative and locally rooted band releases during its first active period.

• Album · 2008

  Tiger Tones — Tiger Tones

  The Tiger Tones' self-titled album was released on April 21, 2008, as catalogue number PINACD04. It was the final documented release before Pinacolada entered its extended hiatus.

• Archival compilation · 2023

  The Playthings — Self-titled

  This collaboration with Leather Jacket Records collects hard-to-find releases and live material by Christchurch post-punk band the Playthings. Released on May 6, 2023, it was made available on 12-inch vinyl, digitally and on minidisc and marked the revived label's first release.

• EP reissue · 2024

  Barnards Star — 1999 debut EP reissue

  Pinacolada and Leather Jacket Records reissued Barnards Star's debut 1999 EP in December 2024. The new edition expanded the EP from its original CD-only availability to vinyl and digital formats.

• Album · 2025

  Pearly* — Not So Sweet

  Not So Sweet is the debut album by Dunedin-based band Pearly*. Released on August 29, 2025, it was a joint project with Leather Jacket Records. Flying Nun Records handled digital streaming, some marketing and all distribution, and the album debuted at number six on the Aotearoa New Zealand album chart.

• 2024Barnards Star reissue and reunion event

  New Zealand

  The label supported a vinyl and digital reissue of Barnards Star's 1999 debut EP and an accompanying reunion performance at Space Academy in Christchurch.

  Outcome. The reunion show was reported as sold out and well received, while the reissue debuted at number eight on the Aotearoa New Zealand album chart.

  Source
• 2023The Playthings archival release campaign

  New Zealand

  Pinacolada Records and Leather Jacket Records relaunched the label through a multi-format archival release documenting Christchurch post-punk band the Playthings.

  Outcome. The release reached number one on the Official Aotearoa New Zealand Chart and number 11 on the Official Aotearoa New Zealand Album Chart in the week of May 13.

  Source

• 2025

  Release Pearly*'s debut album through a multi-label partnershipProduct launch

  Background

  The revived label's programme expanded from archival releases to a new album by Dunedin-based band Pearly*.

  Action taken

  Pinacolada collaborated with Leather Jacket Records on Not So Sweet, while Flying Nun Records handled digital streaming, some marketing and all distribution.

  Aftermath

  The album debuted at number six on the Aotearoa New Zealand album chart.

  Source

• 2024

  Expand the Barnards Star EP beyond its original CD formatProduct launch

  Background

  Barnards Star's 1999 debut EP had previously been available only on CD.

  Action taken

  Pinacolada and Leather Jacket Records issued the EP on vinyl and digitally and connected the release with a Christchurch reunion performance.

  Aftermath

  The reissue debuted at number eight on the Aotearoa New Zealand album chart.

  Source

• 2023

  Revive the label through archival local-music releasesStrategy

  Background

  After the label's hiatus following the 2008 Tiger Tones album, Pinacolada returned with material connected to Christchurch's post-punk history.

  Action taken

  The label partnered with Leather Jacket Records to release The Playthings' hard-to-find recordings and live material in several physical and digital formats.

  Aftermath

  The release achieved number-one and number-11 positions on the relevant Aotearoa New Zealand charts.

  Source

1. 1Pinacolada Recordsen.wikipedia.org