Pinacolada Records

Pinacolada Records is an independent record label based in Christchurch, New Zealand. Run by local record collector and DJ Tim Baird, the label started in September 2001. It is notable for releasing the debut album from DFA Records artist the Shocking Pinks, as well the acclaimed albums by Pearly*, Barnards Star, Pig Out! and the Tiger Tones.

The label went into hiatus after the Tiger Tones album release in April 2008 until May 2023.

The first release on the revived version of Pinacolada Records in 2023 was a collaboration with Christchurch-based record label Leather Jacket Records. The original idea for a Playthings vinyl release featuring their 1981 single releases and some live tracks was conceived by Matthias McGregor of Leather Jacket records, and he and Baird subsequently went halves in the financing of this project. The resulting release was a compilation of the Playthings on 12” vinyl, digital and minidisc which came out on May 6, 2023. The release reached #1 on the Official Aotearoa New Zealand Chart on May 13, 2023, and also reached #11 on the Official Aotearoa New Zealand Album Chart the same week, making it Leather Jacket's most successful release to date.

Baird and McGregor went on to also collaborate again in December 2024 on Christchurch shoegaze legends Barnards Star’s vinyl and digital release of their debut 1999 EP release which had only ever come out on CD. Both record labels went halves once again financially in this project. Barnards Star also reformed to play at the release party held at Space Academy in Christchurch on December 14th, 2024. This marked the first time in almost 25 years that the members of the band had played together, and the gig was a very well received sell out show. The vinyl and digital EP reissue also performed strongly on the Aotearoa New Zealand album charts debuting at #8 on its first week of release.

The most recent release on the label was the debut album from Dunedin-based band Pearly* entitled ‘Not So Sweet’. The album was released on August 29th, 2025 as a collaboration between the label and Leather Jacket Records. The digital streaming, some of the marketing, and all of the distribution was handled by Flying Nun Records. The album debuted at #6 on the Aotearoa New Zealand album charts. The album has since also been released on CD due to consumer demand. Pearly* continue to actively tour in New Zealand throughout 2026 whist working on material for their second album at Southlink Studios with former Skeptics member and Bailterspace producer Nick Roughan on production duties.