New Zealand-based Italian musician writing new songs in Key West through mid-May; will perform at the Armory for May 15 Walk on White reception
In January of this year The Studios of Key West opened its Mango Tree House, a temporary home for visiting artists from all over America and the world. Since then the cottage in back of the Armory has hosted photographer Curt Richter, Miami-based new media artist Charles Recher, culinary writer Crescent Dragonwagon, metal worker Thomas Mann, and a handful of visiting workshop instructors.
Lorenzo Buhne, an Italian musician who now lives in Wellington, New Zealand, recently became the first official Musician in Residence at the Old Town campus. Buhne’s artistic past crosses many genres, from 1980’s American punk rock to 16th Century Italian ballads. He comes to Key West after putting the finishing touches on his second CD, Buon Giorno, which was recorded last year in the Southern Hemisphere and mastered last week in Los Angeles.
“I might be going insane if I was not here right now,” says Buhne, “In my normal life, I was becoming desperate for quiet, contemplative time, and entirely new inspiration. This residency, on such a warm and wonderful island is affording me that, and more.”
Born in Italy, Buhne’s family migrated to Sydney, Australia when he was a teenager. There he learned bass guitar, and toured extensively throughout Australia, Vietnam and Singapore. After moving to Los Angeles in 1976, he played with legendary punk bands FEAR and The Dickies, performing on bills with such notable acts as Devo, Jane's Addiction, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Iggy Pop, The Ramones, Green Day, Tiny Tim and many more. His various bands and solo work have made the top 10 charts in Japan, England, and Argentina. And Buhne has also composed songs for Hollywood films, a ballet, an art installation, and has more recently turned his attention to producing.
After moving to New Zealand in 2003, Buhne began exploring old Italian and Neapolitan folk songs, and recorded the solo album, Sotto Sopra. That modern record incorporated pop, rock, sampled beats, as well as mandolins, strings, primitive Mediterranean instruments, and Italian lyrics composed by his father.
“It has been over three years since I produced that CD,” says the musician, who has been tweaking his next album from the visiting artist cottage at The Studios of Key West. “Over the coming weeks, I will continue to explore this remarkably musical island, the upcoming Songwriters Festival, Cuban music, fiddlers at the Green Parrot, and other new discoveries to feed my next project.”
Musician-in-residence Lorenzo Buhne will perform at the Armory as part of the May 15 Walk on White reception, which is free and open to the public. He can also be found, between now and mid-May, playing guitar and singing his songs around and about the island.
“Lorenzo is such a warm and genuine person, with a creative background that is incredibly diverse and interesting, and artistic ideas and output that just keep coming,” said Eric Holowacz, executive director of The Studios of Key West. “He is the perfect kind of artist-in-residence for our growing organization, because he wants to explore and connect with our island, draw on indigenous influences, and craft something entirely new out of the experience.”
Buhne returns to New Zealand in late May, and other upcoming Artists-in-residence include Chicago-based visual artist Mike Lash, Canadian photographer and sound artist, Helen Verbanz, young writer Kristin-Paige Madonia, London-based graphic artist Michael Hawkins, and chief curator at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans, David Houston.
“As the season slows down and the lazy days of summer set in, we’ll try to keep things interesting,” said Holowacz. “With a new crop of visiting creative people on the horizon, we’ll continue to mine the artistic possibilities for Key West.”
To learn more about the visiting artist program at The Studios of Key West, or to enquire about future workshops, exhibitions, and special projects, please contact Eric Holowacz at 296-0458 or info@tskw.org.
