---
title: "Perpetually Propelled to Create with Russ Flynn (X Ambassadors, Sean Lennon, Rubblebucket)"

description: "What’s it really like on a World Tour? Russ Flynn knows as well as anybody, as he crisscrosses the globe as a member of X Ambassadors. Go behind the curtain, dig into the highs and lows of constant travel, and hear what it takes to be a career musician, both on and off the road. Russ is a fantastic multi-instrumentalist, composer, and well-rounded dude, all keys to his success!"

status: complete

date: 2025-04-29

kind: guest

guestSlugs:
  - russ-flynn

listenUrl: "https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovemusicmore/episodes/Perpetually-Propelled-to-Create-with-Russ-Flynn-X-Ambassadors--Sean-Lennon--Rubblebucket-e324u7a"

lmwUrl: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUTpj2-Tku0"
appleUrl: "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perpetually-propelled-to-create-with-russ-flynn-x/id1567355195?i=1000705380476&uo=4"
spotifyUrl: "https://open.spotify.com/episode/07SZT4MvJdlPoI7BZJAPJE"
youtubeUrl: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsYfx6qDBKY"

topicsDiscussed:
  - "Creativity"
  - "Touring"
  - "Collaboration"
  - "Genre"
  - "The reality of life on the road"
  - "Homebrewing as a creative outlet"
  - "The balance between music and other passions"
  - "The physicality of performing"
  - "Musical influences and identity"

hostNote: |
  **Russ Flynn** tours with X Ambassadors and has worked with Sean Lennon and Rubblebucket, a range of contexts that says something about how he thinks about sustaining a career: "If I get burnt out on music for a while, I can just say, you know what, I..." and then he has something else to turn to. Homebrewing, cooking, mixology. The parallel he draws between cooking and music is specific: both require sustained attention and improvisation within constraints.
  
  We get into the reality of touring, what it actually feels like to return to a city you played before, life on a tour bus, the cultural experiences that accumulate from constant travel, and how Flynn keeps the creative practice alive across all of it. The episode title is his phrase, and it's accurate: the drive to make things keeps going even when the specific form changes.

selectedMoments:
  - label: "Reality of Touring"
    startSec: 184
    note: "Russ gives a candid overview of what touring really feels like, dispelling the glamorous myths often associated with life on the road. He shares both the highs and lows, providing a deeper understanding of a musician's life."
  - label: "Meeting Musical Legends"
    startSec: 356
    note: "Russ recounts seeing Jim Irsay's private guitar collection in Indianapolis, hundreds of historic instruments in one room."
  - label: "Life on a Tour Bus"
    startSec: 512
    note: "Russ humorously debunks the myth of the glamorous tour bus life, describing the reality of cramped quarters and restless nights."
  - label: "Cultural Exploration"
    startSec: 827
    note: "Russ expresses his enthusiasm for experiencing new cultures and cuisines while on the road, emphasizing the importance of these experiences to him as a musician."
  - label: "Creative Parallel Between Cooking and Music"
    startSec: 1132
    note: "A fascinating discussion about how Russ's approach to cooking mirrors his music-making process, showcasing the overlaps between different creative pursuits."
  - label: "Musical Identity and Growth"
    startSec: 1483
    note: "Russ shares insights into how he navigated his identity as a musician, learning to embrace versatility while honing his skills on multiple instruments."
  - label: "Commitment to Craft"
    startSec: 1656
    note: "The conversation highlights Russ's dedication to continuous growth as a musician and the importance of practicing—accepting the frustrations that come with it."
  - label: "Music's Emotional Impact"
    startSec: 3996
    note: "In a heartfelt conclusion, Russ reveals why he loves music, reflecting on its lasting excitement and the pursuit of creating something meaningful."

excerptQuotes:
  - text: "I don't think it's quite as glamorous as most people might think it is... sometimes you're like, 'What am I doing with my life?'"
    startSec: 186
    reviewed: true
  - text: "The last time we played in Indianapolis was this past fall... I was like, 'Holy cow, this is not what I expected.'"
    startSec: 359
    reviewed: true
  - text: "If I get burnt out on music for a while, I can just say, you know what, I'm not going to play for a week and I'm gonna make ramen every day and try to dial that in."
    startSec: 1129
    reviewed: true
  - text: "I've always been blessed and plagued with that... creating is a beautiful thing and I love waking up and feeling inspired."
    startSec: 1230
    reviewed: true
  - text: "As much as I've committed my life to making music, I don't feel any closer to making something like 'Good Vibrations.' And that doesn't mean I'm going to stop trying."
    startSec: 3997
    reviewed: true

faq:
  - question: "What is it like to tour with X Ambassadors?"
    answer: "Russ Flynn shares that touring is often not as glamorous as it seems, filled with both high-energy performances and moments of existential reflection during long travels."
  - question: "How does Russ balance music and cooking?"
    answer: "Russ finds parallels between cooking and music, often improvising in the kitchen just as he does on stage, which fuels his creativity in both fields."
  - question: "What kind of experiences has Russ had while touring internationally?"
    answer: "Russ emphasizes the cultural experiences he gains from touring, revealing how they enhance his artistry and passion for music."

transcriptPublished: false

draft: false
---