At the start of the 2000s, several expansive indie pop collectives formed, among them The Choir Practice. The Vancouver ensemble mirrored the Polyphonic Spree in its choral presentation while drawing from traditional chorale traditions and 1960s performers such as the Mamas & the Papas and the New Christy Minstrels to shape its rustic, emotionally resonant compositions. In 2005 veteran bassist Coco Culbertson, formerly of the Gay and the A.C. Newman Band, launched the project and assembled a shifting lineup of indie rock notables to complete the ranks. By 2007 the membership encompassed Culbertson together with her partner Kurt Dahle of the New Pornographers, Larissa Loyva of P:ano, Olivia Fetherstonhaugh of FanShaw, members of Pokiok Falls, Chris Kelly of Gay Straights, Shane Turner of Love and Mathematics, Ska-T, filmmaker Shira Blustein, Ida Nilsen of Great Aunt Ida, and artist Sydney Vermont. Their first live appearance came as support for Antony and the Johnsons, after which the group built a devoted regional following throughout the Vancouver area. Mint issued the self-titled debut album in the summer of 2007.
