Interview — Flynn
Of Faith, Fear, and Fishing
Facing the end of 2020, we should only talk about the good and beautiful things in life. Music is an essential part of it, and for quite a few people, fishing. Irish singer-songwriter Flynn lost his heart to both of them. We met the young musician for a very personal chat about his first EP, the significance of faith in his music, and the hidden insecurities of many musicians, including himself.
20. Dezember 2020 — MYP N° 30 »Community« — Interview: Katharina Weiß, Photography: Frederike van der Straeten
In the midst of all the news and prophecies of an imminent Armageddon, there is always a part of the world’s population that additionally has to deal with the matter of coming of age.
Listening to “One Of Us,” the first EP of Irish singer-songwriter Flynn that was released in the midst of this turbulent year, reflects on that very issue—because the record is unpolitical in a pure sense. Its youthfulness comes from the everlasting topics of the first love, the first losses, and the adventurous journey of growing up.
Flynn himself was born and raised in Mullingar, a small town 80 kilometers west from Dublin. The young man, who was given a guitar by his stepfather at the age of 17, started where most musicians start: from scratch. Trying to make a living as a street musician a couple of years ago, he sometimes slept on a park bench or on a friend’s couch to make ends meet.
Flynn’s breakthrough came through a songwriting competition in Ireland, which brought him local fame and notoriety. A friend had signed him up for the competition without telling him. Although Flynn didn’t win, his videos went viral afterward and the press became aware of him—as well as his today’s manager.
His talent took the young man from Mullingar to L.A., where he worked with renowned producers such as Blair MacKichan and Toby Scott. In early 2019, Flynn was featured on the song “Recognise” by Belgian DJ and producer Felix De Laet aka Lost Frequencies—a collaboration that not only brought him onto the stages of Tomorrowland and Parookaville but also to more than 40 million streams on Spotify.
In his private life, the Irish singer-songwriter prefers to take it easy: He loves fishing—a hobby that seems to be a little unusual for someone his age. But Flynn himself says that fishing calms him down and he very much enjoys the peace that comes with it. Maybe we should try that too, sometime.
»I seem to be always drawn to things that aren’t good for me.«
Katharina:
I heard that the ballad “I Don’t Wanna Love You” is your favorite song on your EP. Why’s that?
Flynn:
I seem to be always drawn to things that aren’t good for me. In this song’s case, it’s about a person I was seeing for longer than I should have been. I guess writing and releasing this one helped me put the whole experience behind me and just move on.
Katharina:
Have you ever played the song to the person who inspired you to it?
Flynn:
No, not yet—it’ll be a big surprise!
»I want my songs to resonate with other people.«
Katharina:
While trying to make it in the music industry, you were sometimes sleeping on a park bench. What made all the effort worth it?
Flynn:
Working with Felix from Lost Frequencies was huge for me. Having such a large number of people around the world reacting to our song gave me the confidence that I needed to keep going and releasing more of my own stuff, I guess. Working with Felix was a great experience, he’s a lovely guy!
Katharina:
If you could count on endless resources, what would be your artistic vision?
Flynn:
My artistic vision is to stay true to myself, to always write from the heart, and to be honest. I want my songs to resonate with other people because I don’t just write them for me: I write music for everyone.
»I enjoy exploring my own head for new ideas when I’m alone.«
Katharina:
How will that reflect in your live shows, which will hopefully take place again when the pandemic is over?
Flynn:
For me, playing live is the most important part because you can feel that real connection with your fans. I like to make it as exciting as possible for them. My gigs are upbeat and fun but also serious, I try to show a lot of variations.
Katharina:
What social spaces make you most creative?
Flynn:
I am a collaborative person. I love to write with other people who encourage me to get the best out of my music. That’s the usual process. But I am very introverted as well, so I also enjoy exploring my own head for new ideas when I’m alone.
»Deep down, some of us aren’t as self-assured as people expect us to be.«
Katharina:
You mentioned that you consider yourself an introvert, which is what many artists use to say. Why do creative people so often tend to confront themselves with the fear of being in the center of attention?
Flynn:
I personally think this gives us the confidence that we really need in life. Deep down, some of us aren’t as self-assured as people expect us to be. And the performance side of our lives really helps us believe in ourselves. It gives us the courage to move on with our lives. Additionally, the loneliness can help to get rid of distractions that block creative processes.
»I wouldn’t walk into my local pub like I would walk onto stage.«
Katharina:
You sound like you try to explore yourself a lot. Which demons of yours have you met so far?
Flynn:
Quite a few. I faced a lot of struggles with anxiety. The pressure of the music industry is exciting, but it can be quite overwhelming at times too. It is a very competitive industry and that brings many fears to the surface. But overcoming them gives you a great feeling of strength. I also have a hard time with people’s perception of me. It’s very easy to identify me with the appearance I put out on social media and forget that this is my work mode—and that there’s a private life behind that artistic expression. The opposite of my experiences in the music industry is what happens in my hometown in Ireland. I wouldn’t walk into my local pub like I would walk onto stage, for example.
»A conversation with me during a fishing trip could really be about anything but music.«
Katharina:
If I would join you on a fishing trip, which is a beloved hobby of yours, what would we talk about?
Flynn:
Usually just fishing talk. And about nature. I love nature!
Katharina:
And dinner afterward?
Flynn:
In Ireland, I fish on canals and lakes and the species of fish I catch aren’t exactly edible. We catch them for fun and let them back in the water to live their lives. A conversation with me during a fishing trip could really be about anything but music. That’s my meditation. I like to think about any other topic than work.
»It felt good to slow down for a while.«
Katharina:
What happened in your life during the lockdown?
Flynn:
I was back home with my mom, stepdad, and my sister. I tried to follow the formula fit body, fit mind, so I spent a lot of time on my rowing machine. Besides that, I drank a little too much red wine in the evenings and spent too long on my Playstation! But overall, I just really enjoyed the step back. It felt good to slow down for a while.
»Faith, in a more abstract way, is a part of my music.«
Katharina:
Your lyrics are very general, it’s pop in the best sense: After listening to the EP, I absolutely don’t have a clue what political party you vote for or if you are religious. What are the philosophical cornerstones of your identity?
Flynn:
Faith and religion are an important part of Irish culture. My parents are quite religious, and I went to a catholic school. Faith, in a more abstract way, is a part of my music. But what really drives my music are everyday observations and coming-of-age experiences. I try to really live in the sense that I put myself in difficult situations. I don’t back out because, without these experiences, there isn’t really much to talk about.
