Johnny Lynch, aka The Pictish Trail, is something of a conundrum. On first impressions, he’s a self-deprecating hairy hobo whose on-stage banter could give many comedians a run for their money. But once he begins to sing, Lynch’s vocals reveal hidden depths that can subdue the most rowdy of audiences into a blissfully hypnotised silence.

Having recently signed to Moshi Moshi Records, Lynch has announced that his albums Secret Soundz Volumes 1 & 2 will be getting a full release on June 9th. The double album will be available on limited gatefold 12” vinyl, gatefold CD and digitally.

You can listen to or download his track ‘I’ve Been Set Upon’ above.

Lynch’s songs are as wildly varied as his selection of brightly coloured bobble hats. His distinctive voice has been accompanied by everything from acoustic guitar to a full-on four piece metal band to throbbing dance beats and samples, and often during the course of the same gig.

With two albums, numerous mini-albums, EPs, and singles under his belt as The Pictish Trail, Lynch has also moonlighted as one half of demented dance-pop duo Silver Columns with Adem (Fridge) for their 2010 album Yes and Dance.

It’s this innovative, genre-defying approach that’s seen him mentioned in the same breath as his heroes Beck, The Beta Band and Hot Chip. He even joined the likes of Jarvis Cocker, Franz Ferdinand and Charlotte Gainsbourg as part of the line-up for Beck’s Song Reader live concert in London in 2013.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Lynch is also busy running his own musical empire from the remote Hebridean island Eigg (56°54’N, 06°10’W) he calls home. Following ten  years running Fife’s infamous Fence Records, last year, Lynch moved on to pastures new and founded Scotland’s most exciting new label Lost Map Records. He’s also putting on the inaugural Howlin’ Fling Festival on Eigg in July.

The Pictish Trail will head out on tour in May and will be hosting a Lost Map showcase in London on May 18th with Tuff Love, Monoganon, comedian Josie Long and more special guests TBA.

Tracklisting:
Secret Soundz Vol. 1: 1. Secret Sound #2, 2. All I Own, 3. I Don’t Know Where To Begin, 4. Secret Sound #1, 5. Words Fail Me Now, 6. Ribbon (The Twist), 7. Winter Home Disco, 8. The Lighthouse, 9. Into The Smoke, 10. Secret Sound #5

Secret Soundz Vol. 2: 1. Secret Sound #6, 2. Sequels, 3. Of Course You Exist, 4. The Handstand Crowd, 5. Wait Until, 6. I’ve Been Set Upon, 7. Michael Rocket, 8. Secret Sound #7, 9. I Will Pour It Down, 10. Long In The Tooth

Upcoming The Pictish Trail dates

Wed 12th Mar – The Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh
Mon 31st Mar – Hidden Door Festival (Pictish DJ set), Edinburgh
Fri 2nd May – Old Hairdressers (Pictish DJ set), Glasgow
Sat 3rd May – Lost Map Showcase @ Brew At The Bog, Bogbain, Inverness
Sun 4th May – Lost Map Showcase @ The Big Beach Ball, Aberdeen
Mon 5th May – Lost Map Showcase @ Spirit of Speyside Festival, Elgin
Wed 7th May – Lost Map Showcase @ The Redd Suite, Dundee
Fri 9th May – Lost Map Showcase @ Night and Day Café, Manchester
Sun 11th May – Lost Map Showcase @ Retreat @ St Dominic’s Social Club, Newcastle
Fri 16th May – Lost Map Showcase @ Old Bookshop, Bristol (evening show)
Sat 17th May – Lost Map Showcase @ Old Bookshop, Bristol (afternoon matinee)
Sat 17th May – Lost Map Showcase @ South Street Arts, Reading
Sun 18th May – Lost Map Showcase @ Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, London
Mon 19th May – Lost Map Showcase @ Junction 2, Cambridge
Thurs 22nd May – Lost Map Showcase @ Railway Inn, Winchester
Sat 24th May – Lost Map Showcase @ Old Continental, Preston 
18th – 20th July – Howlin’ Fling! Festival, Eigg
Sat 2nd Aug – Cloudspotting Festival, Blackburn
Lost Map Showcases = The Pictish Trail (solo) + Tuff Love + Monoganon

http://thepictishtrail.com/