While politicians heralded e-mail and text messaging as innovative forms of political activism this election, Randall Clarkson prefers his own unconventional methods — methods that include opera-style storytelling and a socialist message.

Clarkson, a conservational biology senior and musician known as the Black River Bandit, fused the spirit of socialist revolution with performance art in “Under the Burning Sun,” a 22-song “redgrass” opera at The Peace Tree House in Tempe on Saturday.

Through storytelling and musical performance, Clarkson channeled his disappointment with current politics and drew attention to social and political issues he wants to change.

“I’ve strayed away from the whole electoral aspect of politics,” he said. “I’m focusing primarily on music and literature as a means for expression.”

Before picking up his guitar and neck-rack harmonica, Clarkson removed his glasses and threw on a cowboy hat. His voice adopted the deep tenor of a Southwest country singer as he moved without pausing through his performance — continuing to whistle even while he stooped to exchange hats coordinated with the progression of the story.

Like his “redgrass” opera — a play on bluegrass — Clarkson takes a somewhat unusual approach to political expression. He wore a Soviet-themed outfit with red bandana, long winter coat and fur hat complete with hammer-and-sickle medallion in the 60-degree Phoenix night.

“Whether or not you want to consider it a statement, it’s just the way I feel about certain issues,” he said.

Clarkson said he feels strongly about social problems like the current economic recession, educational frustrations and political discontent.

In his opera, he portrayed the struggle of a man confronted with social problems, eventually joining a revolution that ushers in an area of egalitarian values.

“Redgrass, of course, indicat[es] the political tendency within the music,” he said. “Although this isn’t necessarily a piece promoting state socialism, it’s a piece promoting an egalitarian system where everyone is equal and non-hierarchical.”

Clarkson said he thought about the opera for a long time but finally wrote it while visiting family last summer in South America. It took him about a month and a half to write all 22 songs.

He said he drew on American journalist John Reed’s “Ten Days That Shook The World,” a chronicle of the 1917 October Revolution in Russia.

“There were certain aspects of the revolution that were very positive,” Clarkson said. “Although [the opera] is a very fictional tale … a lot of the things that happen in the story are things that have happened throughout history.”

Tempe residents Marc Pedraza and Abby Hertzel provided Clarkson’s performance space. About once every month, they turn their house at Rural Road and Alameda Drive into a concert venue known as The Peace Tree House.

For a $5 door charge, Pedraza and Hertzel provide a relaxed, intimate venue that feels like a neighborhood party.

People crowded into the living room where a rug marked the stage and the kitchen became a bar area complete with complimentary food and drink from their restaurant, La Fonda Mexican Food.

Pedraza and Hertzel said they use their house to provide a unique opportunity for acoustic artists to play paid shows.

“We’ve been doing this for three years now,” Pedraza said. “There aren’t a lot of places acoustic artists can play and get paid.”

Gabriela Hurtado, a psychology junior, said she came out to support Clarkson and his message.

“I thought it was awesome,” she said. “I like the story he was telling and think it really applies to our time.”

As he finished his final song, Clarkson left the audience with a final piece of advice: “I want you to keep in mind that dreams are what make a revolution.”

Reach the reporter at channing.turner@asu.edu.