PINLIGHT is the alt-pop solo project of Edinburgh-based multi-instrumentalist Jenny Laahs. Jenny is a hearing-impaired musician, having acquired a profound unilateral hearing loss at the age of 4. Perfect for fans of Kate Bush, CHVRCHES and Passion Pit, PINLIGHT offers thoughtful electro alt-pop with neon laced synths, interwoven orchestral instruments and themes of self-affirmation and love. Her music has received airplay from BBC Introducing Scotland and Amazing Radio, song-writing support from Friedemann Findeisen of Holistic Songwriting and recognition from Doing Life Records as "Indie Gem 2019".
PINLIGHT is the latest evolution of Jenny’s lifelong passion for music and song-writing, a versatile multi-instrumentalist with a history in classical piano, conducting, songwriting and funk trumpet. She began performing on the songwriter scene in Edinburgh in 2014, playing alt-folk on ukulele and piano. In 2018 she moved towards a more electronic sound and adopted the moniker PINLIGHT, in reference to A Pin-Light Bent by Joanna Newsom.
After gigging around Edinburgh with a live band in 2018, Jenny retreated to her home studio in 2019 to record the independently produced and released debut album, Grow Slow, produced entirely in mono in recognition of her hearing loss. The album was released in December 2019, with a physical CD release alongside a digital release and accompanying merch. It was launched at a sell-out gig at the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh, with a 7 piece live band, and has since reached over 21,000 streams on Spotify.
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Since the release of her album, Jenny has continued to write, record, produce and release a variety of singles; some independently and some in collaboration with both local and international songwriters. She has played a variety of gigs across Scotland, with highlights including a headline performance at Something Has to Happen at the Glad Cafe in Glasgow in 2020, and a set on the Pyramid Stage at Kelburn Garden Party 2022.
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As said by Advosound, PINLIGHT is "simply one of the best up and coming prospects in Scotland" - one to watch as her journey continues.
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Reviews:
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"Very cool track, I really like it... I think it's phenomenal, something I don't think I've seen before"
- Friedemann Findeisen, on 'Armour' (https://friedemannfindeisen.de/)
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"luscious lo-fi electro pop... Jenny’s fantastic vocal [is] a real highlight" - Alive and Gigging (full review here)
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"Quietly seeping into your dimly lit room like the scented smoke of cinnamon incense... downright irresistible" - Right Chord Music (full review here)
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"...electric vibes, fun and catchy tunes, and an excellent sound that is perfect for the alternative pop fan." - Advosound (full review here​)
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"Quite simply one of the most exciting up-and-coming prospects in Scotland today... an artist for every music lover." - Advosound (full review here)
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"PINLIGHT has that certain panache about her music that uplifts while it entertains... a signature way that can leave the listener wanting to know more about her and her sometimes retro, sometimes pop, and entertaining style." Jammerzine (full review here)
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"The Edinburgh alt-pop artist is clearly capable of delivering the goods. She should certainly be getting more attention"
- Small Music Scene (full review here)
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Indie Gem 2019, Doing Life Records (for the album Grow Slow)
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