Released in honour of Native American Heritage Day, ‘And I’ll Fly’ is a moving song that pays homage to America’s pre-colonial history and the current descendants of the land’s native people. This heartfelt project is from Atlanta singer-songwriter Maria Deirisarri who grounds this acoustic track in warm vocals, inviting strings and a floating atmosphere.
The lyrics evoke nature-infused imagery that further expresses that connection to the land, from the “mighty mountain” to the “shivering sea.” This expansive landscape is enhanced by Deirisarri’s sincere poeticism and it’s also clear that she finds personal comfort in the natural world.
Deirisarri explains that during her junior year of high school, she struggled with academic pressures, a difficult relationship and toxic friendships. As a result, she turned to songwriting to navigate self-reflection and healing.
“I needed to know that at the very least, I would be there for myself. I didn’t think I would ever play the song live — let alone release it in such a pivotal moment of my life. I’m in my first semester of college, I’m discovering just what kind of musician I really am, and I’m building the foundation of where my artistic career is going to go. ‘And I’ll Fly’ is coming at such a perfect moment.”
By working with producers Corey Kilgannon and Jacob Hudson, Deirisarri was able to further draw out those raw and organic sounds throughout the track. Delicate piano keys and soft-toned, melodic strings complement the artist’s timeless vocal, which has a touch of Steve Nicks’ unique quality in there.
The importance of nature also carries over into the single’s artwork, which Deirisarri illustrated herself, as it incorporates motifs of the local landscape like bluejays, pine tress, mountains and rivers. Additionally, the accompanying music video shows the musician spending time outside and taking a courageous leap by doing a skydive. While we can’t promise that we’ll be parachuting out of a plane any time soon, ‘And I’ll Fly’ has definitely uplifted and inspired us with its positive message.
You can also find ‘And I’ll Fly’ in our Folk This Way playlist.
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