WHEN seasoned Perth singer-songwriter Ian Lilburne made a mid-life sojourn to sleepy northern Italy two years ago, he developed a weakness for the Italian alcoholic aperitif Campari.
“I was taking long service leave from my regular job as an events manager at UWA and spent a lot of time in Parma in the Po Valley just south of the Alps, which has a rich food culture and is one of the most beautiful parts of north Italy,” he shared.
“Anyway, by about five o'clock everyday, there was only one thing to settle the itch, so I came back home to Perth with a severe Campari addiction.”
Lilburne's newfound affection for the herbal and fruit infusion - often used in cocktails and commonly served with soda water, wine or citrus juice - earnt him the nickname 'Campari Kid', bestowed on him by a friend.
He has now adopted the catchy moniker for his upcoming performance on Spanish guitar alongside renowned piano accordionist Cathie Travers, dubbed Campari Kid + Siren of the Squeezebox (the latter being Travers' individual nickname), which promises a night of “tangos, tarantellas and twisted tales of romance”.
“It's the name we've given this particular show, but I think we'll use the names individually and collectively for any performances from here on,” Lilburne said.
The pair first met when Lilburne was working for Perth's Artrage Festival (he was executive officer and inaugural director from 1986-1993), with Travers performing at the festival with her Nova Ensemble.
Two years ago when Lilburne recorded his debut album Ghosts, a musical collaborator suggested the sound required an accordion, leading to the union with Travers.
Despite stroking the guitar and writing music since his teens and playing in various garage bands throughout his adult life (citing Leonard Cohen as a key influence) - it took Lilburne some three decades to record his first LP.
“I've got a few friends of my vintage who decided late that they would start performing and it showed me that it's possible,” he said.
“But it's also a case of a classic mid-life crisis - I was getting a bit sick of my job. That's when I realised I've always loved writing songs and wanted to see if there's some mileage in it as a meaningful creative outlet.”
Campari Kid + Siren of the Squeezebox is at The Bakery, Northbridge, on February 9 at 8pm, as part of Fringe World Festival 2012.
Visit www.fringeworld.com.au for more information.
Emilia Vranjes