Fence Records, the excellent independent label based in the East Neuk Of Fife and St Andrews (see above) in Scotland and founded by King Creosote in 1997, have announced that they’re calling time on activities in their current state.
In a post on their website, Johnny Lynch, aka The Pictish Trail, the label’s current head, following King Creosote’s retirement at the end of last year, said that Fence Records and its associated Collective of roster acts past and present will be restarting under a new name.
"It feels like this chapter has come to an end, and it’s time to move forward with something fresh. The current Fence artist roster, including myself, have decided to continue under a new label/collective name," Lynch explained in the post, stopping short of calling it a rebranding ("that sounds a bit wank").
He goes on to say that the new name will be announced next week at the label’s showcase at this weekend’s Green Man Festival in Wales, a fitting end point for Fence’s current guise, with its full roster – eagleowl, Monoganon, Kid Canaveral, Randolph’s Leap, Rozi Plain, The Pictish Trail and (Fence alumnus) James Yorkston – on the bill.
Have a read of the statement in full below, with The Pictish Trail’s recent video for ‘Wait Until’ at the foot of the piece:
"Since 1997, the Fence Records label and Collective have been based in and around the sleepy fishing villages of the East Neuk Of Fife and St Andrews, promoting our own distinct brand of Casio-folk, acoustic ambience and proto-electronic pop from a roster of artists across the UK and beyond. Famously, the area gave birth to members of The Beta Band, and KT Tunstall, and the label became a launch pad for the careers of King Creosote, James Yorkston, The Pictish Trail, UNPOC, Lone Pigeon, Pip Dylan, Rozi Plain, FOUND, François & The Atlas Mountains, Barbarossa, Withered Hand, Seamus Fogarty, Kid Canaveral and many others.
"Over the past few years I’ve been spending most of my time on the Hebridean island of Eigg, orchestrating the release schedule and events calendar from my caravan studio; Fence founder Kenny Anderson (aka King Creosote) retired from involvement with the label at the end of 2012, focusing instead on solo projects and his Alter Ego Trading Company label.
"All of a sudden there wasn’t much Fife in Fence, or much Fence in Fife.
"So, aye – it feels like this chapter has come to an end, and it’s time to move forward with something fresh. The current Fence artist roster, including myself, have decided to continue under a new label/collective name. I’m almost tempted to use the word ‘rebrand’, but that sounds a bit wank. The main thing is this: we will retain the same DIY ethos, commitment to detail, and dedication to supporting original, innovative and – above all – inspiring music and songwriting.
"Before any rumours start, it’s not because I’m pregnant, or have contracted a terminal illness or anything. And Fence hasn’t gone bankrupt, either. This hasn’t been an easy decision, and it’s taken a long time to get here – but it’s just time for something new, and we’re really looking forward to letting you know all about it in due course.
"So what’s this new thing called? Well… you’ll have to wait a wee bit longer to find out – we’ll be making an official announcement next week. In the meantime, for those of you attending the Green Man Festival, our label showcase on the Friday night in the Cinema Tent will be our last official Fence Records event. The new name will be revealed there, and there’ll be a special freebie for folk in attendance.
"I’ve been working full-time at Fence for 10 years, now – and it’s been incredible. I’m really proud of all the releases over that time, and have endless love for all the bands. And the events! So many memories. From the first Home Game, to this year’s Gnomegame – with a decade of pub gigs, Away Games, Eye O’ the Dugs and Halloween parties in between – organising the live events has always been a total pleasure, and playing host, an honour.
"It’s been great getting to meet, blether and drink with you all, and I dearly hope you won’t be strangers at our future events.
"Johnny Lynch / The Pictish Trail x"
