Lost Map 10 featuring Pictish Trail (solo)

2023 marks ten years of Lost Map, the independent record label based on the Isle of Eigg in the Scottish Hebrides - formed with a pioneering DIY spirit to reassess how we discover and explore music amid the disorientating digital geography of the 21st century. Run by alt-pop musician, Pictish Trail, the label is dedicated to releasing truly unique records by some of the most innovative musical minds, putting on festivals, wild-parties and all-day showcases, as well as hosting an artist residency programme on the island, a postcard membership club, and a monthly podcast series. 

To celebrate their first decade, Pictish Trail is taking to the road accompanied by various artists on the label roster, to present an eclectic night of songs and sound. 

This special show in Reading will feature emotive indie-folk from Glasgow-based Canadian singer-songwriter L.T. Leif; North Yorks Moors native (now Bristol based) Amy May Ellis; as well as an intimate solo appearance from the Eigg-man, Pictish Trail himself.

Doors: 7.30pm
Tickets: £14 + ticket fee

Please note this is a standing event taking place in our studio space.

Stage times (approx.):
Pictish Trail (solo) 8 - 8.20pm
Amy May Ellis 8.20 - 9pm
Interval
Pictish Trail (solo) 9.20 - 9.45pm
L.T Leif 9.45 - 10.30pm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 

PICTISH TRAIL  (solo) 

"One of my favourite artists" Lauren Laverne, BBC 6Music 

Throughout his career Pictish Trail has resolutely furrowed his own path, steadily creating a unique catalogue of recordings & performances, while eschewing the blueprint of the predictable singer-songwriter in favour of something untidily intriguing.  

Island Family, the fifth album from Isle-of-Eigg dwelling electro-acoustic psych-pop artist Johnny Lynch aka Pictish Trail, was released in March 2022. A strange, unpredictable, sardonic and yet deeply personal record inspired by all from Fever Ray to The Flaming Lips, Liars, Mercury Rev and Beck, Island Family is Pictish Trail’s contrarian view of arcadia; a search for the euphoric in the bucolic. 

When not putting out his own music as Pictish Trail, Johnny Lynch is a fulcrum of the British independent music community. Through his label Lost Map, he champions a diverse and idiosyncratic array of extraordinary talent, helping to elevate the likes of Rozi Plain, Alabaster dePlume, Bas Jan, Callum Easter and Free Love. 

Secret Soundz Vol.1 & 2, his critically acclaimed first pair of albums, were gloriously eclectic slices of lo-fi folk-pop later revived as a deluxe double-vinyl by Moshi Moshi. Future Echoes, was released to further acclaim in 2016, and was shortlisted for Scottish Album of the Year Award. In 2020 Johnny released his 4th LP, Thumb World, a voyage to the outer rings of Pictish Trail’s mind at its darkest, funniest & most inventive – described by Clash as “his most dazzling, most exceptional yet”. 

L.T. LEIF 

An adopted member of the Scottish DIY music scene whose life and art has been heavily shaped by northern landscapes and climes, L.T. Leif is rooted in the self-sufficient spirit of the Canadian prairies, and carries with them the indelible experience of spells spent living in Iceland, Finland and drawing inspiration from the Pacific Northwest. Leif has been involved in many bands and projects, first entering the scene with Calgary orchestral pop sweethearts The Consonant C. Since the group disbanded in 2011, Leif has explored many configurations and approaches, from experimental noise collaborations with the infamous Bug Incision crew to playing sold-out shows with the  punk-hearted OK JAZZ, drumming with slacker-rock bands (Hex Ray and Hungry Freaks), playing synths with Matt Swann (of Astral Swanns), and singing in a witch choir (Hermitess). Leif’s admirers include K Records maestro Calvin Johnson (they toured together with The Believer Magazine).  

Releases under the solo-with-friends moniker L.T. Leif have included the 2016 double album Shadow on the Brim / Rough Beasts and Leif’s first release on Lost Map Records, the 2022 Lost Cat limited edition cassette compilation of live and unreleased tracks, improvisations and deep cuts Introducing L.T. Leif.  

Leif’s latest album, Come Back To Me, But Lightly, was released on Lost Map in January 2023, in collaboration with fellow Scottish label, OK Pal.

AMY MAY ELLIS

Raised in a remote dale in the middle of the North York Moors, Amy May Ellis invites you on a journey through the history and mysticism of this wide-open landscape. Now based in Bristol, Amy’s warm and delicate folk-leaning songs are steeped in the culture, scenery, folklore and wildlife of the countryside that surrounded and shaped her as a child. Amy’s mesmerising forthcoming debut album Over Ling and Bell, is due for release on limited-edition eco-friendly 12” vinyl and digital platforms on May 12, 2023. 

Brought up singing around the house with her mother, Amy May Ellis was first inspired to start writing songs aged 15 on a ukulele bought for her by her grandad. She began making her mark as a musician through support slots for touring artists including Michael Chapman, Alessi’s Ark, Hiss Golden Messenger, Tiny Ruins, Ryley Walker and Willy Mason at her local music venue The Band Room in Farndale. “Having artists from all over the world come and play in the tin shed at the bottom of the hill was pretty special,” she reflects. Since 2018, with the support of a growing band of friends, collaborators and fans, Amy has released a series of four EPs, each exploring an element – Weathered by Waves, We Got Fire, Where My Garden Lies, and When In The Wind. She has received support from BBC 6 Music, BBC introducing, Uncut Magazine and Rough Trade, and has played headline tours around the UK and Ireland, as well as performed at Brighton’s Great Escape festival.