The Cicadas
Available exclusively on Bandcamp here: https://deadcandance.bandcamp.com
The Cicadas is inspired by the ancient creation myth recounted by Plato in Phaedrus. While resting outside Athens, Socrates and Phaedrus are surrounded by a loud chorus of cicadas. Socrates tells a tale that the insects were once men who loved singing so much that they sang until they died from forgetting to eat, and were reincarnated by the Muses. In Plato's account, Socrates describes the cicadas as covert messengers for the Muses. The story goes that before the birth of the Muses, these men existed, but when music was finally created, they became so enraptured by the art that they sang continuously, neglecting all food and drink until they unconsciously died. As a gift, the Muses transformed these devoted singers into cicadas. Because of their origins, cicadas do not require nourishment and spend their entire lives singing until it is time to pass away. After death, the cicadas return to the Muses to report on which mortals have honored them on earth. Specifically, they tell the Muses which humans dedicate their lives to philosophy, music, and divine discourse.
Socrates used this story to urge Phaedrus to stay awake and engage in philosophical discussion. He warned that if they were to fall asleep during the hot afternoon and just listen idly to the cicadas, the insects would report them to the Muses as lazy men who lacked a love for wisdom. However, if they continued their pursuit of truth, they could win a gift from the gods.