Pictish Trail

Pictish Trail is the musical alias of Johnny Lynch, an electro-acoustic psych-pop alchemist based on the Isle of Eigg. Over the past two decades, he has built a reputation for his genre-warping songwriting, weaving together elements of lo-fi folk, electronic beats, and fuzzed-out psychedelia. His fifth album, Island Family (2022), released via Fire Records and Lost Map, was met with widespread critical acclaim, earning praise from The Observer, The Times, Mojo, Uncut, Loud & Quiet, and BBC 6 Music. A dynamic and cathartic record shaped by the chaos of its time, Island Family led to extensive touring, festival appearances, and support slots with the likes of Pavement and Mogwai. In 2024, Lynch revisited three of its songs with a stripped-back, intimate approach on the Follow Footsteps EP, recorded alongside longtime collaborator Susan Bear, cellist Semay Wu, and harpist Gillian Fleetwood. Since his debut, Pictish Trail has consistently pushed the boundaries of his sound. His first two albums, Secret Soundz Vols. 1 & 2, were initially released in 2008 and 2013, later reissued as a deluxe edition by Moshi Moshi in 2014. His third album, Future Echoes (2016), was shortlisted for the Scottish Album of the Year Award, and Thumb World (2020) further cemented his status as one of Scotland’s most inventive songwriters. Along the way, he has shared stages with Belle & Sebastian, Sea Power, Slow Club, and KT Tunstall, while making festival appearances at Glastonbury, Field Day, Bestival, Celtic Connections, and every single Green Man to date. His live performances—whether with a full band or solo, armed with just an acoustic guitar and sampler—are known for their immersive energy and offbeat humor. Beyond his own music, Lynch is a vital force in the UK’s independent scene as the founder of Lost Map Records. Since 2013, the label has championed a diverse roster of artists, including Rozi Plain, Alabaster dePlume, Seamus Fogarty, Bas Jan, Callum Easter, and Free Love. Driven by a DIY ethos and a love for unconventional pop, he has cultivated a unique musical community, releasing limited-edition postcards, exclusive recordings, and curating events that blur the line between label and art project. As he works towards his next album, Pictish Trail continues to evolve—restless, inventive, and forever exploring new sonic landscapes.