Portland - Freshly graduated from high school, Austrian producer filous just dropped his first EP of original material, Dawn, July 17^th. The 18-year old has taken great care not to reveal his name, or even his whole face, making his filous persona completely separate from his personal one. He plays at least 20 instruments, all of he which he taught himself to play using YouTube. With the completion of school and his the release of his debut EP virtually at the same time, filous had some time to chat with Best New Bands about his touring plans, finding new talent and why he’s content with an alter ego.

Why the mystery when it comes to your filous alter ego? 

filous: A lot of reasons. This filous project is the perfect contrast for my personal life. Both parts took a lot of time and effort. It helped a lot to have the possibility to take time off school and forget everything else.

Was it more exciting to graduate high school or drop your EP? 

filous: (Laughs) Honestly, the EP. School took years and wasn’t as much fun, not even close. So, the EP was definitely more exciting where school was fulfilling and enriching in a different way.

Of the 20 instruments you play, which one is your favorite? 

filous: Pretty much guitar, but guitar and bass are fighting for number one. I’m better at guitar but you can feel the bass. I just started to learn drums too, which has been challenging because you really have to use your whole body.

Dawn has a lot of different stylistic elements. Who would you say is your biggest influence? 

filous: Technically I would be considered somewhere between electronic and acoustic. I feel safest listening to one genre, but that changes every month. It switches from classical to punk rock or metal. It’s really hard to choose.

Dawn also has a slew of vocalists, what made you want to work with them? 

filous: I try to find unknown talent. My sister also helped a lot; she’s kind of a music nerd. She’s a hidden jem though, a beautiful vocalist. I wanted to show all kinds of music and […] reflect music that I listen to. In some way, it’s a showcase.

Are you planning on touring? 

filous: Probably. Nothing’s fixed right now, but maybe at the end of the year.

What are your plans now that the EP is out AND you’re done with school?

filous: Well, I’m definitely at a point where I want to keep going. For now, I’m trying a bit to relax. I want to focus on making music much more, as much as possible. Probably not this year or next year, but I’d like to go back to school. I studied astrophysics and biology so I could continue with that. But I am so thankful for the people who support my music–all the positivity is really great, […] I am thankful for that.

You can purchase filous’ Dawn EP on iTunes now. Like him on Facebook for updates on upcoming tours and releases.

• About
• Latest Posts

Dakota Smith

Raised in Los Angeles by two former Deadheads, Dakota was bound to love music. The soundtrack of her childhood would include both Elvis’ (Presley and Costello), Frank Sinatra, Oasis, Nirvana and Van Morrison. Dakota left the comfort of sunny Los Angeles for the snow-covered Flatirons of Boulder, Colorado to pursue her English degree at the University of Colorado. While studying abroad in London during her last year of college, she changed her mind about a career in academia and began to write. She moved to Portland shortly thereafter. When she’s not working on her collection of poetry and essays, or dancing, she can be found listening to anything from Acid Rap to Folk to Indie Rock.

Follow her on twitter in case she says something funny: @LikeTheStates

Latest posts by Dakota Smith (see all)

• Willis Earl Beal At LA’s Bootleg Theater - September 24, 2015
• Petite Noir – “La Vie Est Belle / Life Is Beautiful” - September 16, 2015
• Widowspeak: – “All Yours” - September 7, 2015

Related posts:

The Fun “Dawn” of the Mysterious filous School’s Out For Dylan Gardner Young Rising Sons Are Riding ‘High’