When Aussie guitarist Rupert Boyd was growing up in Canberra, he had little idea that one day he’d be a New Yorker with a debut CD on Dorian Sono Luminus about to return to tour his homeland with his partner in life and music, American cellist Laura Metcalf. But life has a way of taking the odd twist and turn. Things have moved on apace from the day Boyd’s brother came home from school one day having signed up to play guitar. Determined not to be outdone, his younger sibling decided to do the same. “I think he gave up two weeks later,” Boyd laughs, “and here I am.”

Laura Metcalf and Rupert Boyd. Photo © Harold Levine

We’re sitting in an Australian coffee shop in Manhattan’s Chelsea – it’s called Citizens and comes highly recommended if you are visiting and need a good flat white! – somewhere between meetings for Boyd, who these days juggles his freelance career with a new baby and organising his enterprising GatherNYC series, a Sunday morning concert program that combines chamber music with artisanal coffee, pastries and a thoughtful dose of the spoken word.

For Boyd, classical guitar...