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 Bat for Lashes, CHVRCHES and Sylvan Esso, 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 transitioned to 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.

 

Sadly, plans for a busy year of gigging in 2020 were cut short, save for a headline performance at Something Has to Happen festival at the Glad Cafe in Glasgow. Jenny instead spent the year developing her home studio set-up, performing livestream sets and collaborating remotely with local and international musicians (Yoko Pwno, Brady Beats) to create two singles released in October and November respectively. PINLIGHT also released "28 Instruments, 1 musician"; an instrumental piece with accompanying video evidencing Jenny's skills as a multi-instrumentalist.

 

In 2021, PINLIGHT released a cover of Somebody Else by Jen Athan as part of the Cover to Cover album by Fiona Liddell, a collaboration between 13 female Scottish artists to fundraise for Scottish Women Inventing Music. Jenny has been busy writing new songs throughout lockdown, and a follow up release to Grow Slow is planned for 2022. As said by Advosound, PINLIGHT is "simply one of the best up and coming prospects in Scotland" - one to watch as her journey continues.

 

Press:

"A diverse collection of synth-pop songs that showcase excellent composition and musical production. It really is the perfect album for the alternative pop fan" - Advosound

 

"luscious lo-fi electro pop... Jenny’s fantastic vocal [is] a real highlight" - Alive and Gigging

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"Quietly seeping into your dimly lit room like the scented smoke of cinnamon incense... downright irresistible" - Right Chord Music

 

"Clearly capable of delivering the goods. She should certainly be getting more attention" - Small Music Scene

 

"Something I don't think I've seen before" - Friedemann Findeisen, Holistic Songwriting