Hey all,

We’re still working hard on our rock opera, Purgatory Falls and are basically done with the rough recordings. Since we’re at the point where we’re looking to produce and possibly how we would put it on stage I thought I’d mention a rock opera that did an outstanding job as a stand alone album, on stage, and as a film. 

Repo : The Genetic Opera is about a futuristic dystopian society in which people do all sorts of extreme things in the name of fashion, and synthetic organs are available on a payment plan (you definitely don’t want to miss a payment – refer to the title of the opera). The film version has an incredibly talented cast including Anthony Stewart Head as the trigger man. 

If you think our society has gotten out of hand, or that your family situation is complicated, check this show out. It’s over the top and it will stick with you. 

 For those of you who think he’s familiar he was also Giles on Buffy The Vampire Slayer (the Joss Whedon television show, not the film) and absolutely rocked out on the musical episode titled,  Once More with Feeling.

Maybe we’ll luck out and Anthony Stewart Head will read this and want to be in our show. Until then, we’ll keep at it trying to make this thing a reality. 

Until next time,

Damon

It’s Been just over a month since David Bowie died, so I thought I’d take a moment to look back on a couple of his works. 

A major influence on me growing up watching the Labyrinth (which I highly recommend, especially if you want to see magic, goblins, and David Bowie in leather pants and laced shirts) and as I developed as a musician, David Bowie seemed to always push his limits totally unafraid of how his art would be perceived. 

‘The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars’ was an early concept album/ rock opera. A story about aliens, the end of civilization, and a young rocker singing the news so the public can know what’s happening , it was bold and created an alter ego for the artist. Ziggy is on both the IGN list of Top 14 Rock Operas as well as Stereogum  Top Ten Rock Operas that Deserve a Stage Adaptation and I tend to agree. 

David Bowie touched and influenced so many artists throughout his career (Queen, Pixies, Velvet Underground, Elton John to name just a few) that it’s difficult to say where rock and roll, and rock opera in particular would be today without him. 

Let’s all take a page from David Bowie.  Be brave and  keep making music and telling your story however bold or ahead of its time it may be. 

Until next time,

Damon

Hello All,
We just keep adding more talent to this project!

 I’d like to thank to Ciara, an amazing alto, for bringing new depth to the part of Agatha. 

We’re incredibly  stoked to have her onboard at Anotherrockopera. For her full bio please go to Who we are.
Thanks,
Damon

Hey All,

We’re very nearly ready for the next phase of our project but we need your help! Are you an Alto? Do you know an Alto who love independent projects?

If so, go here to check out the audition stuff. 

Listen to the song ” Mesmerize” in a male’s voice for the melody.
Please submit the first verse for consideration.  

Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you!

Damon

Last session we worked on All is Calm. Not having played it for a while and going off chord charts in my nearly illegible scribble, we played and recorded a song that was almost wholly different from the original. 

Listening further we tried to incorporate sections of each but they weren’t working. Finally we went back to the original with some small modifications and as we were recording, I got carried away and created a bridge, thereby inadvertently tying the new song into the old. 

So I recommend you try playing through a song you haven’t touched in a while without listening to the prior recording first. Record every rehearsal. Even if it doesn’t work out, you never know when small pieces of an experiment may improve your song. 

Until next time. 

Damon

Hey all. We’re pressing forward with the project and revisiting some songs we hadn’t worked on in a while. We made some small technical changes to Father that ultimately changed the entire mood of the song. Give it a listen here. I think it adds an undercurrent of desperation and hopelessness that makes Renata’s character less like an evil Disney queen and more like a tormented soul doing her best to make sense of her world that’s been totally upended. I know Stefanie will to an amazing job. 
So until next time remember, don’t get so attached to your art that you are afraid to make even small changes. You never know when it could take a song from good to giving you chills. 
Damon

Hey All,

We’re all working hard on Purgatory Falls, but as we’ve been trying to improve the story telling and flow, I’m reminded of a Master Class held with Pat Pattison where he had song writers bring their absolute favorite original song, perform it, then cut it by 20%. He told us to “Be a Brute” when looking at our songs. 

We as artists often form attachments to lyrics or melodies, even when they no longer fit or serve their original purpose.

I’m interested, when have you had to Be a Brute and slash your favorite song? Let us know! It’s hard, but sometimes necessary.

Have a great weekend!
Cheers,

Damon

Hello All,

It seems we’re on a roll now adding talent to this project. I’d like to give a big thanks to Sianna, a very soulful alto, for rocking the part of Agata. We’re stoked to have her onboard at Anotherrockopera. For her full bio please go to Who We Are.

Thanks,

Damon

Hey all,

I’d like to give a big shoutout to a new member of our project- Stefanie Goldstein. Stefanie is a powerhouse Operatic Soprano who will be rocking the part of Renata. For her full bio check out Who We Are.

Thanks Stefanie for bringing Purgatory Falls one step closer to fruition!

-Damon