Flyte's "I'm Not There" Represents a Personal Confrontation with Trauma and Self-Acceptance - Atwood Magazine

      The UK indie songwriter duo Flyte makes their return with “I’m Not There,” a candidly honest reflection on personal trauma and self-acceptance.

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      In these apocalyptic times, sometimes we just seek emotional comfort and safety. Flyte, the indie duo from London consisting of Will Taylor and Nick Hill, provides that safe haven with their latest release, following their critically acclaimed self-titled third album in 2023. As they prepare for an upcoming UK tour, they present the single “I’m Not There” (set to be released on February 14, 2025), which offers a starkly honest look at personal trauma and self-love.

      Collaborating with BRIT Award-Winning producer Ethan Johns (renowned for his work with Paul McCartney, Ray LaMontagne, and Laura Marling), the duo has crafted an intimate track that conveys an organic, homemade vibe.

      “I’m Not There” – Flyte

      Raw and emotionally truthful, “I’m Not There” expresses the internal struggle of staying present in a relationship.

      “Although regular therapy and the enlightening practice of songwriting have significantly helped me over the years, I still carry the weight of family trauma and a lack of self-love and self-forgiveness,” Taylor shares. “This song emerged during a particularly heavy moment, with my mind clouded and unresponsive.”

      ‘Cause how can I tell you, I am nowhere?

      I am breathless, I am hot air

      If it’s heavy, I can hold it

      Maybe too much, when you notice

      I’m not there

      I’m not there

      – “I’m Not There,” Flyte

      The harmonies of Will Taylor and Nick Hill beautifully intertwine, landing softly over gentle drums, folk-inspired guitar strumming, and delicate piano melodies. The song evokes a vibe reminiscent of Nick Drake's work—easy to listen to yet profoundly poetic.

      “It’s a completely live performance, recorded right at the beginning of the album’s recording session,” Taylor adds.

      “We played it once and only once, and that’s all the listeners hear apart from a single piano added later. Nick, Ethan, and I have never performed together as this trio before, and you can hear us getting to know one another as we played. Ethan, in addition to being a fantastic producer/engineer, is an experienced and emotionally aware drummer, providing a safety net that let us embrace the performance without preparation. It showed us that in that risky space, the truth is most easily brought to the surface.”

      Flyte © Madison Rensing

      Touching on the lingering effects of personal trauma, “I’m Not There” resonates deeply during these melancholic times, reminding us to face our emotions instead of avoiding them and to be honest with ourselves and those we love.

      There is power in confronting the truth. By doing so, we gain a clearer, more complete view of ourselves, complete with flaws. Only when we acknowledge the entirety of our being can we achieve genuine self-acceptance and embark on the path to healing.

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