{"id":1919,"date":"2013-03-05T00:09:43","date_gmt":"2013-03-05T08:09:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/billchapin.net\/allthecitylights\/?p=1919"},"modified":"2015-01-12T09:31:49","modified_gmt":"2015-01-12T17:31:49","slug":"you-really-ought-to-go-see-kate-kilbane-perform-her-pop-rock-opera-based-on-a-gruesome-greek-myth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/billchapin.net\/allthecitylights\/2013\/03\/you-really-ought-to-go-see-kate-kilbane-perform-her-pop-rock-opera-based-on-a-gruesome-greek-myth\/","title":{"rendered":"You Really Ought to Go See Kate Kilbane Perform Her Pop-Rock Opera Based on a Gruesome Greek Myth"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Kate Kilbane performing her rock opera The Medea Cycle, 06.22.12, Red Poppy Arthouse, San Francisco.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Back in June I attended an absolutely packed performance at the Red Poppy Arthouse<\/a> in San Francisco. People were standing in a hallway behind the performers catching brief glimpses of the band’s butts between curtains and amps because there was literally zero square feet of space remaining in front of the stage; I was lucky enough to perch myself on half a stool about 3\/4 to the rear, so I occasionally got to see a face. The band hasn’t repeated that performance since that night. Granted, the Red Poppy is not much bigger than a spacious living room, but I think it’s fair to say there’s probably some pent-up demand.<\/p>\n

What inspired such a fervent following? Was it some hot new low-fi, dubstep, bluegrass buzz band or whatever the latest trend is supposed to be? No, it was, of all things, a rock opera based on a Greek myth. Sure, why not? And you’ll have a chance to hear it in its entirety<\/a> next week\u2014the only performance planned for the rest of the year. My advice: Get there early unless you want to get stuck with an obstructed view.<\/p>\n

Based on one of the original “a woman scorned” tales, The Medea Cycle<\/em><\/a> was written by local singer\/bassist Kate Kilbane<\/a> and her husband, Dan Moses, who also is keyboardist for backing band The Cellar Doors. The 12-song composition has become one of my favorite releases of 2012<\/a>. As rock operas go, it eschews dense prog-rock pretension in favor of short, sweet pop songs with clear verses-chorus structures. The lyrics hew closely to the Medea myth<\/a>, but you could listen to any individual track and remain unaware that they’re part of a larger story about the title character’s tragic romance with Jason (of Golden Fleece fame). The poppy music might seem like an odd fit for such a dark story, but Kilbane brings out the mischief and sorrow stirring beneath the surface of all those breezy melodies.<\/p>\n

What really made the show I saw was the narration Kilbane provided between each song that fleshed out the story. It was worth the price of admission just to watch the girl, maybe 9 years old, in the front row\u2014her mouth agape, her eyes filled with wonder\u2014bewitched by the story of a young woman struggling to control both the powerful magic and emotions roiling inside her. The upcoming show is all-ages as well, so bring the kids. They’ll be spellbound.<\/p>\n