Andy Flinn is a folk musician, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known for his unique blend of international folk traditions, particularly rooted in Swiss German culture, alongside influences from Canadian and American musical styles. Born in Camrose, Alberta, Canada, Flinn moved with his family to Switzerland before his first birthday, where he spent his childhood. This transatlantic upbringing deeply shaped his musical identity, giving him a distinctive accent and a knack for blending diverse musical influences.
Flinn’s musical journey began early, with his first experiences playing the recorder, piano, and later the guitar, which he picked up as a teenager for a high school production of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. His older brother’s passion for rock music introduced him to the guitar, and he soon joined his brother Walter’s band, Chinook, as a singer and rhythm guitarist. The band recorded a vinyl 45 (“Gruusig, Schliimig”) and a 33 (“Storming”) in the mid-1980s, performing at various European festivals before moving to Toronto, Canada, with ambitions of fame. Chinook eventually disbanded, but Flinn became a founding member of the Toronto cult band Look People.
After his time with Look People, Flinn remained in Canada, where he expanded his career as a musician and briefly worked as a “hackist” (a term he uses playfully) in the tech industry for companies like ATI, Commodore (Amiga), and IBM, focusing on graphics and operating systems. However, music remained his core passion. Over the decades, he collaborated with artists like Richard Underhill (Shuffle Demons), Kevin Hearn (Barenaked Ladies), and the Hupman Brothers, while also producing records for musicians such as Ariana Nasr and Sahara Jane.
Flinn’s solo work reflects his eclectic influences—Woody Guthrie, Mani Matter, Duke Ellington, and even Charlie Chaplin are among those he credits. His albums, like Valley Vibrations (2017) and Troubadour (2023), showcase his folk-country-blues style, often featuring Swiss German lyrics alongside English. Valley Vibrations was recorded live with a full band, including a horn section, in Nova Scotia, where he has ties to the Wolfville music scene. Troubadour, recorded with collaborators like Giulio Carcaiso and Serena Bianco, mixes traditional melodies with his original songs, all penned in his signature troubadour style.
