Manchester’s Chris Flynn has casually strolled into the public eye with his new single ‘Pandora’, offering it forward as a Waits and Costello influenced work of art. Receiving a very positive reception from local news and radio, as wind of his success drifted further south, we caught up with him to see what it was all about.

Hi Chris, how’s life?

Life is extremely good at the moment… thanks

Congratulations on your single ‘Pandora’ – where did you draw inspiration from?

Cheers, it’s really come together.  It started from the surrounding environment of where I live, and the narrative grew from there.  The idea behind the character ‘Pandora’ is conceptual, it’s from the Greek myth, ‘Pandora’s Box’.  It’s the moment when you have been told you really shouldn’t do something, but impulse and curiosity are there, tempting you.  It’s the ‘what if’ moment, the moment when you meet someone from the past, someone who once was the ‘one’.  It’s seeing them again, a chance encounter and being tempted to revisit the past.  It’s the consequences that then arise.

Shameless’s Maxine Peake starred as Pandora in the music video – how did that come about?

Maxine was the first person that we thought of.  I’ve always admired her as a character actress.  We wanted the video to have the central role iconic so it was really important that we got her to play the role of Pandora.  We played her the song, she loved it and agreed to take part.

Who was Chris Flynn before the music?

Ever since I can remember ‘the music’ and Chris Flynn have been have been one and the same.  Listening, playing, writing it’s always been a massive part of who I am.

So what was the big break?

Ha! That’s still to come!

And what do you want to get out of it all ultimately?

In the near future for the Lowry gig to reach new audiences, to finish the album, and to enjoy this Summer’s Festivals.

For this to continue..and then to play more and larger gigs to a variety of audiences across the UK and beyond.  To carry on making music, collaborate with other artists and continue experimenting with music.

Any other future plans or things you’d like to tick off outside of music?

I’d like to travel the world.

I’ve heard that stylistically you’ve been influenced by the likes of The Smiths and Elvis Costello. How would you describe your sound, though?

It’s a difficult one to describe my own sound – other people always describe it better than me, I find those biogs tricky, where I have to choose what reference point I am; singer songwriter, acoustic, folk, indie, rock, alternative or (all of the above)!  A recent review said ‘Pandora’ had shades of Portishead…I see that as a good thing, it is a bit eclectic.  I like all kinds of music and ultimately this comes through.

Who are you when you aren’t playing?

That is something that very few people know, my name’s a bit of a give away though!

A classic – what was the first single or album that you bought?

The first album I’m going to admit to is ‘The Queen Is Dead’ by The Smiths, for me, that record is light that will never go out.

It was such an exciting thing to buy music, to own the record, the CD.  Some of that magic’s gone now – that’s why gigs are so important, it’s the date of them.  The album release date used to be significant, it’s less so with technology, people look forward to gig dates.

I do still listen to the Smiths, how could you not?  It’s a funny thing music, because it sort of defines you, when I meet people who don’t like the Smiths I think maybe we will never understand each other!

What are you working on at the moment?

I have just finished writing two new songs and we’ve just been working on the arrangements with the rest of the band.  I’m really looking forward to playing them live for the first time.  I think that’s the best part.  I love to create and I love it when what I have created is appreciated.

In an ideal world, who would you like to work with?

I love to work with young songwriters and bands and to help them to become better at being who they already are.

In terms of working with other people I really am willing to try anything…Elvis Costello, Noel Gallagher, Morrissey take your pick.  All of them?  We could be an Indie songwriting super-group like the Travelling Wilburys!  Bob Dylan could also join if he wanted to and Johnny Marr, Ben Folds on piano!

What are you hoping to get out of 2014?

There’s the Lowry gig in April – I’m really looking forward to that, as well as playing a number of festivals this Summer.  Another single, another video and there’s still lots of production work to do on the album.  It’s going to be a busy year.

Thank you, Chris, and good luck!