Birth name Johnny Lynch Years active 2002–present | Origin Edinburgh, Scotland | |
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Born 28 September 1981 (age 35) ( 1981-09-28 ) Genres Folk, electronic, indie folk Labels Fence, Moshi Moshi, Lost Map Records Associated acts Fence Collective, Silver Columns, Adem Ilhan, Malcolm Middleton, James Yorkston, Three Craws, King Creosote, Pencils, Albums Future Echoes, Secret Soundz, Volume 2, Secret Soundz Vol 1 & 2, Hot Trail, Secret Soundz, Volume 1, Pick @ Pictish Profiles | ||
The pictish trail michael rocket
Johnny Lynch is a Scottish musician who performs under the pseudonym The Pictish Trail. After graduation from the University of St Andrews, Lynch ran Fence Records from 2003 until 2013 and has since been running Lost Map Records. Lynch has attended and played every Green Man Festival since its inception in 2003. He's also played as band member with other musicians, including James Yorkston and Malcolm Middleton. In 2010 he released an album and toured with Adem Ilhan under the name Silver Columns.
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The pictish trail fargo
Career
Johnny Lynch started performing under the moniker The Pictish Trail in 2002, recording his first album on his computer and releasing it on Fence Records in 2003. Lynch ran Fence Records from 2003 until August 2013, working for the label for 10 years in total, before leaving to form a new label, Lost Map Records.
Lynch released his proper debut album, Secret Soundz Vol.1, in September 2008, to critical acclaim. In February 2009, The Times named Secret Soundz as an "Essential Recording" of the Fence Collective. In 2010 The List magazine named Lynch as the 12th "Hottest Scot" in its list of creative Scottish people. His 2010 album In Rooms (12" vinyl) consists of 50 songs of 30 seconds each written as part of the "100 Days To Make Me A Better Person" project of 2009. Lynch also supported KT Tunstall throughout her 2010-2011 European tour in support of her 2010 album, Tiger Suit.
Secret Soundz Vol. 2 was recorded with Sweet Baboo taking up production duties, on the Isle of Eigg (where Lynch now lives), in 2012. The album was released to critical praise in February 2012. It was re-released in CD form in 2014.
In July 2014, the first Howlin' Fling Festival took place on Eigg, with Lynch as organiser and performer. The line-up included, among others, Jens Lekman, Beth Orton and Sam Amidon, The Phantom Band and various bands from Lost Map Records. A companion mini-festival took place for the first time in August 2015 at Penicuik Town Hall.
The Pictish Trail appeared on James Yorkston's 2014 album, The Cellardyke Recording and Wassailing Society, and toured live with Yorkston supporting the release.
In September 2016 Pictish Trail (now without the "The") released a new album, Future Echoes, produced by Adem. It featured the singles "Far Gone" and "Dead Connection". A full tour followed the released, with the band featuring members of Lost Map signees Tuff Love. Around the same time, Lynch and members of Tuff Love also toured with Malcolm Middleton as his backing band.
Lynch lives on Eigg with his partner and their son.
Discography
Albums
Stand-Alone Singles
Compilations
Songs
Michael RocketSecret Soundz Vol 1 & 2 · 2008
Winter Home DiscoSecret Soundz - Volume 1 · 2008
Long in the ToothHot Trail · 2004