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Message to local artists…Advance your academic career
– American Rock Band urges
An American Indie-rock band called-Filligar, which is currently in Guyana, is encouraging local musicians to pursue their academic careers so that they can “always have something to fall back on.”
The members of the band Johnny, Teddy, and Pete Mathias along with Casey Gibson, joined in making this declaration after they were introduced to members of the media fraternity on Thursday last by the United States of America Ambassador to Guyana, D. Brent Hardt.
They were deemed as Cultural Ambassadors at the press briefing held at the Embassy of the United States of America on Duke and Young Streets, Kingston.
The rock band would have recently concluded its stint in the Rupunini Area at A Music and Arts festival.
The Ambassador described their presence here as part of a series designed to facilitate cultural exchanges between the United States and Guyana for the past three years.
The rock band consists of three talented brothers and a best friend. Together their musical skills have earned them the title of being one of the best young groups in America.
The lead vocalist and guitarist of the band is Johnny, while Gibson is a classically trained pianist and Teddy is the bassist. Pete, of course is the drummer.
Each member of the rock band has a strong academic background which they are still looking to strengthen.
Johnny Mathias is a graduate of Dartmouth College, where he majored in History while Gibson is a classically-trained pianist, and has a major in Economics and minor in Music History, Theory, and Ethnomusicology at Hamilton College. He also studied jazz piano.
Teddy Mathias graduated from Dartmouth College and his brother Pete Mathias is a graduate of the said college as well as the University of Oxford, where he studied History.
The band’s latest Album, “Hexagon”, aptly captures their talents in tracks such as Money on the Dark Horse and Knock yourself out. ‘Hexagon’, was also named ‘Best New Music’ by American Songwriter Magazine.
In addition to their participation in the Rupununi Arts and Music Festival, the members of the Band will also be involved in a range of musical and educational exchanges as well as activities with students in Georgetown during this week.
These include workshops with the National School of Music and a public concert, which will be held at the National Cultural Centre tomorrow.
The band members insisted that while they are here to share their own evolution of music, they maintained that they are still students of music and are here to learn. It was also revealed that the group is most anxious to meet with local steel pan players for a musical interaction.
In addition, one member of the group added that the interactions are so important to them that even if they would have to “hang up the towel and call it a day,” they would be satisfied with the journey which music has taken them on.
“While it would be great to win a Grammy, we are fulfilled by music and not necessarily the accolades that come with music.”
The group, which is no stranger to huge crowds, revealed that they have learnt a great lesson from performing and wished to share that with local musicians and performers in two phrases; “Take no audience for granted and discover your uniqueness.”
“No matter how small the audience is, even if you have to perform for one person, give it your best and always be prepared because every little opportunity may lead to something big.”
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