Today, singer-songwriter John Flynn releases his new Americana-tinged single "Sisyphus" and its accompanying video. Written in the days immediately following his country's decision to return Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, both Flynn’s lyrics and the black t-shirt with “Illegitimi Non Carborundum” (“don't let the bastards grind you down”) written on it that he wears in the video pay tribute to the songwriter’s spirit of resistance. Shot on a clear sunny day in his current home state of Delaware, the video features Flynn walking through the countryside with his well-worn, well-loved Martin D-28 acoustic guitar. Purchased in 1979, the guitar is detailed with the signatures of some of Flynn’s heroes, including Kris Kristofferson, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Rodney Crowell, Willie Nelson, and Arlo Guthrie. The video also includes a brightly colored animation created by Flynn’s son Sean that imagines the Greek mythological figure, Sisphyus, pushing his boulder uphill for eternity.
“This video was a family and friends affair," says Flynn. "It was shot by my wife Beth, features animation by my son Sean and was edited by my good friend and producer Harvey. I’m very grateful to have a lot of generous, talented people in my life. They definitely make it easier to get the rock to roll.”
"Sisyphus," will be included on Flynn's forthcoming album KINDRED SPIRITS (named for the aforementioned 1979 Martin D-28) and embodies a kind of visceral gut check as he attempts to shake off the sense of despondency that accompanied the news of what felt like his country's rejections of so much it once stood for. Rather than defeatist or despairing, the track is anthemic and defiant. Implying, as Camus suggested, that meaning is often found within the struggle itself.
Produced and recorded by long time recording partner Harvey (aka Harvey in the Morning) who also played the majority of the instruments (guitar, bass, drums, percussion, background vocals), "Sisyphus," is a stripped down, no-nonsense Americana and rock-a-billy fusion.
Flynn's vocals have never sounded so urgent as he escalates from his trademark storyteller's drawl to Sisyphean howls of "I can't back up and I won't back down, I can't back up and I won't back down..."
"Sisyphus," will be included on Flynn's forthcoming album KINDRED SPIRITS (named for the aforementioned 1979 Martin D-28) and embodies a kind of visceral gut check as he attempts to shake off the sense of despondency that accompanied the news of what felt like his country's rejections of so much it once stood for. Rather than defeatist or despairing, the track is anthemic and defiant. Implying, as Camus suggested, that meaning is often found within the struggle itself.
Produced and recorded by long time recording partner Harvey (aka Harvey in the Morning) who also played the majority of the instruments (guitar, bass, drums, percussion, background vocals), "Sisyphus," is a stripped down, no-nonsense Americana and rock-a-billy fusion.
Flynn's vocals have never sounded so urgent as he escalates from his trademark storyteller's drawl to Sisyphean howls of "I can't back up and I won't back down, I can't back up and I won't back down..."
Flynn cowrote "Sisyphus" posthumously with his departed friend and former producer Ed Williames (FROM THIS HARD BOX OF TIME, HAUNTED BY THE GHOST OF A CHANCE). This is the formula that recently yielded the single "Kris's Rules" which Flynn cowrote with his longtime buddy and hero Kris Kristofferson. Of the "Kris's Rules" video which premiered on Americana Highways, they praise "gently played, it pierces deeply and moves thoroughly. The footage all brings the point into clearer focus."
Losing friends is a natural part of life as you get older and recent years took several who had been dear to Flynn. Indeed, it was partly these losses that spurred him to the bold decision to release two immediately consecutive albums: KINDRED SPIRITS and I'M GOING HOME prior to the close of 2025.
Like many artists these days, Flynn finds fulfillment in the work rather than the accompanying demands of attention-seeking and commerce. This led to a surfeit of what he considers the best song's he's ever written. For over four decades, Flynn, a songwriter praised by the likes of Kris Kristofferson, Arlo Guthrie and Ray Wylie Hubbard, has often used his songwriting to speak directly to himself.
"I may have a lotta road ahead of me," says the songwriter. "But I've also recently come to the startlingly obvious realization that nothing is guaranteed. Anyway, it's time to get this music out there while I have the opportunity. Writing the songs, isn’t enough. Recording them isn't enough. You've got to believe in your songs enough to release them, even if it feels like setting sparrows free in a hurricane."
'"You have to pay attention to write a good song," he continues. "And if you’re doing that, it stands to reason that your songs will have more to say at age 68 than they did at age 28. I know mine do. At this point, the business being what it is, not many folks will probably get to hear this stuff. But I believe that good songs get heard eventually. And someday, these will. So that's good enough for me."
In addition to his career as a songwriter and performer, Flynn is the Executive Director of the non-profit, New Beginnings-Next Step and is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his weekly visits and still growing work with those inside Delaware prisons. New Beginnings-Next Step organizes and runs peer support groups both inside and outside of prison to help members build resilience by establishing relationships of trust and deep connection to community. Recently, 6ABC in Philadelphia featured Flynn and the work of New Beginnings-Next Step.
Flynn will perform at, as well as MC, the Philadelphia Folk Festival in August before he heads to Norway for their Protest Festival in mid-September. He will then return to his current home state of Delaware for a benefit show for New Beginnings-Next Step at the Arden Concert Gild in late September.
Flynn has received the Phil Ochs Award, the Dominicans’ Shining Star Award, Pacem in Terris’s Peacemaker Award, as well as honors from the Vietnam Veterans of America, the American Library Association and the Grammys. He has also been honored with the Champion of Justice/Humanitarian Award from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Past winners include Stevie Wonder, Janet Reno, Julian Bond, and Sister Helen Prejean.
Flynn has recently been named the permanent host of the storied Philadelphia Folk Festival and will return to their main stage this August for the 62nd annual event.
Don't Miss John Flynn Live!
June 26 Bellevue State Park, Concerts Under the Stars Wilmington, DE
July 11 Singing Oaks Concerts Cape Cod, MA
August 15-18 Philadelphia Folk Fest Upper Salford Twp, PA
Sept 15-16 Protest Fest Kristiansand, Norway
Sept 27 Arden Gild Concert Hall Wilmington, DE
Oct 4 Focus Music & Unity with Reggie Harris Charlottesville, VA
Oct 5 Greenwich Village Folk Festival Virtual/Online Only
Oct 28 Benefit for Dismas Transitional Housing Facility Hartford,VT
Dec 4 Lansdowne Folk Club Lansdowne, PA
