Neil Flynn has been a constant in the electronic music scene since 2014 when he released his ‘Louise EP’ on Lossless, a label run by Thomas Herb and Mathias Schober. Another EP on the label, ‘J.E.N.’, followed in 2016 and has been the most previous own track from Neil until now. Almost one year later it is time for the Irish and Guiness loving lad to contribute a new cut, ‘Shon’, to Lossless’ compilation ‘Outbound 2’ that is released on September 1st. Before its worldwide release Torture the Artist not only spoke to Neil about his upcoming music, but also the reasons why he is attracted to Lossless, his guitar skills and the painful day after writing a musical masterpiece. On top of that you can listen to a full premiere of Neil’s track ‘Shon’ in the link below.
Torture the Artist: Imagine music is a longterm relationship, describe your first date.
Neil Flynn: She didn’t return my call for the first while, it was tough, but then she did and we got ice cream and rolled around the Spree river bank for a few hours. <winks>
Torture the Artist: A lot of your music was released on Lossless. Did you choose Lossless as your home label because of the red coloring since we all know that there are a lot of red-haired people in Ireland?
Neil Flynn: Hahaa, that’s it exactly.
Electronically, I’m more an in the box kind of musician.
Torture the Artist: Aside from some remixes you did for VIMES and Masaya it has been a while since you released an own EP. What can you reveal in terms of upcoming music from your side?
Neil Flynn: Well, I’ve a number on the next Lossless release coming on September 1st that I’m very very excited about, it’s a six track various artists from the Lossless family and some fresh collaborations. I’ve actually been playing all six tracks so that’s a great sign. After this I’ve got another NF (editor’s note: Neil Flynn) record almost nailed and in the pipeline and of course lots of other projects to explore and finish, patience is really a virtue in this game.
Torture the Artist: As a producer, do you rather work with the equipment you already have and try to come up with new functions and sounds or do you invest into new equipment?
Neil Flynn: Electronically, I’m more an in the box kind of musician. I’ve got a pretty basic setup aside from my monitors (push,midi keyboards,mic etc.) and with this there’s already so much one can achieve, its really endless, but of course when the time and my bank account is right I will invest in some crazy beautiful machines.
Writing music can also be painful for the soul, I personally become too attached to tracks I’m writing and spend way too much time with them, often in love when I finish a session and waking up to a different story.
Torture the Artist: While producing a new track, do you still have a vision of creating something new or is it the process itself your inspiration?
Neil Flynn: It’s a mix of both for me, both feed off each other, your vision leading into your creation and vice versa and in the end you can be left with a track that compliments your vision or you went down the rabbit hole and came back with something completely different. It’s a win win situation, although I have to add, writing music can also be painful for the soul, I personally become too attached to tracks I’m writing and spend way too much time with them, often in love when I finish a session and waking up to a different story. <laughs>
Torture the Artist: You mention humans, the moon, the sea and the universe as an influence of yours on your artist page. Which of the aforementioned influences can be found in your released music?
Neil Flynn: All of them, these are elements in my life that really inspire and affect me so naturally this spills into my records.
Torture the Artist: Who would you like to work with in the studio, and why?
Neil Flynn: Oh man, there are so many, but give me Mr.David Byrne, the man is just a genius. Endlessly creative and forever expanding his goals and collaborating. HERO!
Torture the Artist: What sound do you connect with your childhood and can you imagine using it in on of your tracks?
Neil Flynn: The sea, I do use it in my tracks.
Torture the Artist: What instrument that you do not play, would you like to learn?
Neil Flynn: Violin , so much tension and emotion.
I actually play the back of a guitar like a drum better than the strings.
Torture the Artist: In some of your pics on social media you are shown with a guitar. How good are your skills?
Neil Flynn: I actually play the back of a guitar like a drum better than the strings. I’m a very basic guitar player but through my Dad there’s always been many guitars around.
Torture the Artist: Name a current record or track that has left an impression on you, and why?
Neil Flynn: My good friend Anthony Georges Patrice sent me a tune a while back called ‘Groundfloor‘. It’s coming on Azzur or maybe is out already and man that’s a dancefloor trip and groove all in one.
Torture the Artist: What does a track have to have so you put it into your record bag?
Neil Flynn: Magic.
Torture the Artist: You are originally from Ireland, what brought you to Berlin?
Neil Flynn: Bratwurst <smiles> No. The old story, a dream to connect with like minded people, make great music and play some of those parties I only heard about from my older brothers.
Torture the Artist: What‘s an Irish food dish you cannot live without?
Neil Flynn: Guinness.
I think part of me will always be away from my real home as I am in a different place.
Torture the Artist: What makes you call a place your home and is there any track that covers this feeling for you?
Neil Flynn: Hmmm, the people around me make a place a home but I think part of me will always be away from my real home as I am in a different place. Any track off John Martyn’s ‘Solid Air’ album will cover all these feelings.
Torture the Artist: What‘s your most bizarre story when using public transport in Berlin?
Neil Flynn: Haha, too many bizarre encounters, its sex drugs & rock n roll or techno roll on those tracks.
Torture the Artist: If you were to compare your music to the Kamasutra, what position would your music resemble, and why?
Neil Flynn: An all out orgy, lots of emotions in there.
Torture the Artist: Imagine your life is a sitcom at which time of the day would you watch it, and why?
Neil Flynn: I wouldn’t watch it, it can be hard enough doing it once. <laughs>
Neil Flynn’s current top10
- The Mole ‘Back In The Studio Game‘ [Maybe Tomorrow[
- Anthony Georges Patrice ‘Groundfloor’ [AZZUR]
- Internacional Electrical Rhythms ‘War Of The Worlds’ [Lossless]
- Neil Flynn ‘Shon’ [Lossless]
- Radio Slave ‘The Reverse’ [Rekids]
- Von Spar ‘Garzweiler IV’ [Altin Village & Mine Records]
- Marc Romboy ‘Trapped in an Orbit’ [These Eyes]
- ZK Bucket ‘Pendulum Ride’ [Outcast Oddity]
- Martin Landsky ‘Right Now’ [Upon You Records]
- Hammer ‘Man Ray’ [Loft Records]
Torture the Artist 