Simon Oats

Orpheus in the Underworld is an album based on the critically acclaimed solo show written and composed by me, Simon Oats. It consists of 10 original songs interwoven with spoken word narrative to tell a story. It is the journey of a musician into the underworld to reclaim his lover from the God of death. Orpheus is a passionate poetic narrative of love, lust and loss told through a sound spectrum that encompasses rock'n blues, soul, hip-hop and heart-rending ballads.

Orpheus was conceived as a solo performance for Melbourne Fringe Festival in 2008. Over the past 2 and a half years I have performed the show extensively in Melbourne, Adelaide and regional Victoria, in theatres, pubs, outdoor spaces and private homes.

The show has been loved by audiences and critics alike. It has a very broad appeal such that its fans include a Hell’s Angel and a Pulitzer prize winner. If you haven’t yet seen the show, check out this YouTube for a taster:

This project seeks to create a master recording and an initial pressing of 500 cds for multiple uses – For sale at performances, for release through digital online media, to expand touring opportunities regionally, nationally and internationally and to create a new audience for my work.

The recording will be produced and engineered by Myles Mumford. Myles is a well known Melbourne record producer and engineer and also works as a composer and sound-designer for theatre and contemporary dance. He is highly regarded for his musical and collaborative approach to recording, and his ability to create a sense of presence and space.

Be a part of the creation of this unique album!

Here’s a few highlights from past reviews:

‘Oats is charismatic and engaging from the moment he steps on stage and fires up the guitar… the audience is riveted. Orpheus is excellent.’ - Tim Richards, The Age.

‘The show is incredibly well structured, tight, brilliantly performed and the music is extraordinary.’  - Natalie Oliveri, Buzzcuts

'The story-telling is engaging, enthralling and all together exceptionally executed.' - Sam Kelton, The Advertiser

'Sensational…Simon Oats is a multi-talented, high-quality performer, who deserves to be noticed, and in my opinion recorded to immortalise his brilliance.' - Michael Sneyd, The Independent Weekly