The Pictish Trail Music Playlist: Guest Selector

For your listening and reading pleasure, a mixtape track listing and a diary update from Fence Records' co-gaffer Johnny Lynch AKA The Pictish Trail

Feature by Johnny Lynch | 01 Aug 2008

"Just spent a week writing and recording with Adem - the results are pretty bonkers. Crazy electro stuff. Looking forward to putting that out at some point next year. It's a busy few months ahead - my album, Secret Soundz, is coming out in September, Rozi's in October, and a new collaboration from King Creosote + H.M.S. Ginafore in November. On top of that we've got a Fence Club show with James Yorkston headlining on September 17th in Edinburgh. Malcolm Middleton has just confirmed as support - so it should be a crackin' night. See yiz there?"

1. White Williams - New Violence

OnTheFly (from our electronic off-shoot label, DeFence) put me on to this guy. It's a bit glam, a bit pop, a bit electro - and it's got those Paul Simon Graceland style guitars the kids all seem to love.

2. Loudon Wainwright III - The Swimming Song

I'm writing this while sitting in the back of car on a long journey - and my friends in the front seats have been playing Bob Dylan for what feels like 5 hours. Pish. I'd rather listen to Loudon any day of the week.

3. Rozi Plain - Foot Out

We're putting out Rozi's album on Fence in October, and I think it's one of the best things we've ever released. She is from Bristol, and is blessed with a stunning voice and highly original songwriting style which i can't describe without sounding like a twat. I can't stop listening to her.

4. Hot Chip - Crap Kraft Dinner

My favourite song by my favourite band. Sax solo!

5. Hercules & Love Affair - Blind

Best song i've heard in 2008 - Antony's vocal is astonishing. He should chop off his Johnsons and do this full time.

6. Kid Canaveral - Second Time Around

t's the summer, and the summer was made for insanely catchy indie-pop songs like this. However, I think it'.s being released in October in order to reflect the danger of melting ice caps. Oh yes.

7. Smog - Say Valley Maker

Bill Callaghan is a genius. Jim White, the drummer, takes centre stage on this tune, though. Drummers, eh?

8. The National - Fake Empire

I've only just gotten into this band. This is the first track on their recent album, Boxer, and it's deep deep deep.

9. Talk Talk - I Believe In You

I was on a bus in Fife a few weeks ago,.. listening to Talk Talk's 'Spirit Of Eden' on my headphones, full blast, while it pissed rain outside. The bus slowed past a crowd of people gathered around a guy who was sitting on the curb, head in hands, having been in a car accident. This song came on - it was perfect.

10. James Yorkston - The Capture Of The Horse

This is the jaw-droppingly great closing track from his new album. Each record he puts out is so good it's hard to decide which is best. His new album is particularly good.

The Pictish Trail also plays Retreat! at St John's Church Hall, Edinburgh on 6 Aug.

Secret Soundz Vol. 1 is released on 8 Sep via Fence

http://www.thepictishtrail.com