Filligar — Casey Gibson (piano, keys) and the Mathias Brothers: Johnny (guitar, vocals), Teddy (bass) and Pete (drums) — established a reputation during the early 00s and 10s for being remarkably prolific, releasing seven critically applauded albums between 2006 and 2015.
Nationally, Filligar has played sold-out shows at Los Angeles’ The Troubadour, Bowery Ballroom, DC’s Wolf Trap and Chicago’s Lincoln Hall — and they’ve opened for Counting Crows, Alabama Shakes and The Black Keys. And over the better part of the past decade, the US Department of State has designated the band as cultural ambassadors, sending them six times on tours to perform worldwide as emissaries of American arts and aspirations. And as a result of those tours, Filligar has built up an international profile, winning over fans across the States, Europe, Australia, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Asia.
The indie outfit’s recently released eighth album, the 11-song Future Self is the first batch of original material in seven years. The album’s material sees the band pairing the big sound that has won them fans nationally and internationally with lyrics that thematically explore life and love.
Future Self single “The Fire in the Sun” is centered around squiggling funk guitar, a sinuous bass line and shimmering synths paired with gospel-tinged call and response vocals and a handclap accented coda. And while being slickly produced, “The Fire in the Sun” manages to capture post-modern, existential ennui with an uncanny precision.
