The Pictish Trail

Multitasking Fence Records Boss

The Pictish Trail is the chosen moniker of Johnny Lynch, part of the creative cottage industry that is the Fife’s Fence Collective.

Indeed Lynch is the co-founder of the label with Kenny ‘King Creosote’ Anderson but has so far settled into a midfield general role as Creosote, James Yorkston and co. have made Fence Records the envy of many an independent label. Oh, and did I mention he also organises the Homegame mini festival in the Fence Collective’s Fife base? It’s no wonder he’s taken a while to get his own album together.

‘Secret Soundz Vol. 1’ is a collection of Lynch’s output from the last couple of years ranging from swelling, multi-layered nu folk ballads to skewed wonky electronica. Pretty much representing the Fence label’s roster on one album, no mean feat. Cherishing the song and delivery over sonic perfection, the lo-fi production only adds to the enchanting light touch of the material. No ‘two days on the bass drum sound’ over produced madness for The Pictish Trail.

The track on this issue’s covermount cd ‘Winter Home Disco’ is a good representation of TPT’s sound, multitracked harmonies, low budget percussion and atmospheric squalls frame Lynch’s plaintive, yearning vocal. Let’s hope The Pictish Trail finds more time to focus on his own activities as he’s an under rated gem deserving the exposure.

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