Tinpan Orange Tour New Single in Europe and Oz

The beautiful songs from Love is a Dog just keep coming with the release of Tinpan Orange’s latest single, “See You In the Water.”

This is such a stunning song, with ethereal vocals and delicate strings. I definitely recommend taking a moment to stop what you’re doing and just listening to it, without distractions.

The Aussie trio has spent months touring, but they’re not done yet. Check out the following shows in Australia and abroad.

14 & 15 January 2017 – Illawarra Folk Festival, Wollongong
26 January 2017 – The Rocks Australia Day Festival, Sydney (FREE)
20 February 2017 – Haldern Pop, Haldern
21 February 2017 – Prinzenbar, Hamburg
22 February 2017 – Wohngemeinschaft, Köln
23 February 2017 – L’alimentation générale, Paris
25 February 2017 – Hafen 2, Offenbach/Frankfurt
26 February 2017 – Wohnzimmer Matinee, Dresden
27 February 2017 – Lido, Berlin
3 March 2017 – The Odd Fellow, Fremantle
4 & 5 March 2017 – Nannup Music Festival, Nannup
11 & 12 March 2017 – A Festival Called Panama, Golconda
24 & 25th March 2017 – Yackandandah Folk Festival, Yackandandah
26 March 2017 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (matinee show 2pm)

“Love is a Dog” – Tinpan Orange

It’s hard to believe that it’s been seven years since I heard my first Tinpan Orange album, their third studio release The Bottom of the Lake. I raved about their unique sound, Emily Lubitz’s gorgeous vocals, and the way the band played with genre on this very blog. Now I’m excited to see how the band’s grown with the imminent release of their fifth studio album Love is a Dog.

The album opens with the single “Rich Man,” which sets the scene perfectly with its delicate, dark vibe. Love is a Dog is an album which isn’t afraid to tackle dark and difficult subject matters. The rich lyrical subject matter ensures no song is lightweight or filler. Such weighty material could bog a listener down if not for the gorgeous instrumentation. Tinpan Orange play around with folk and country music so perfectly, creating songs that are a joy to listen to.

“Cities of Gold” speaks perfectly of chasing a dream, the potential for happiness coupled with an uncertainty about the future. I love the laidback country campfire feel of the title track, which adds nuance to its bitter lyrics. There’s no fight as the relationship draws to an end, just resignation. “Cabarita” might be my favourite number on the album. I love the characters the band’s created. The song’s string section makes the evocative lyrics sound even more beautiful. “Light Across the Water” is another highlight, with its epic feel that never crosses the line into melodrama. The closing number “Leopards” builds so beautifully. At first it seems almost too subtle to end an album, but in the final minute the strings and drums kick in and you’re clapping your hands and stomping your feet in time.

Tinpan Orange are such accomplished musicians. Five albums in, they know what they’re doing. Every song is perfectly measured, with Emily Lubitz’s stunning vocals perfectly paired with the right instrumentation. The slide and acoustic guitars and gentle driving drums support her without ever stealing focus. I’m not sure whether Love is a Dog is the album to get Tinpan Orange the mainstream attention they deserve, but it should be.

Love is a Dog hits stores on April 8.

Tinpan Orange Announce Album Tour

Tinpan Orange are some of the true quiet achievers of the music world, releasing quality album after quality album with little fanfare. They’re just about to release their fifth studio album Love is a Dog, and if the lead single “Rich Man” is any indication it’s going to be another high quality collection of music.

This is such a beautiful, delicate song, with Emily Lubitz’s voice pairing beautifully with those soaring strings. Make sure you listen to those lyrics too, which are so delightfully dark. I really love guitarist Jesse Lubitz’s comment that “it could have been used as a Bond theme if David Lynch was directing.” Can we make that happen by the way?

Tinpan Orange will celebrate the April 8 release of Love is a Dog with a national tour. Tickets are available now for the following shows.

15-17 April 2016 – Fairbridge Folk Festival, Fairbridge
29 April 2016 – The Grand Poobah, Hobart
1 May 2016 – Fresh on Charles, Launceston
7 May 2016 – Toff in Town, Melbourne
8 May 2016 – Rattlers Hotel, Wallan
14 May 2016 – Civic Hall, Mullumbimby
15 May 2016 – Old Museum, Brisbane
20 May 2016 – The Vanguard, Sydney
27 May 2016 – The Workers Club, Geelong
28 May 2016 – The Railway Club, Darwin
4 June 2016 – Fly by Night, Fremantle
5 June 2016 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide