You mightn't be familiar with Tinpan Orange, so on the back of their new single "Like Snow", we thought we'd chat with lead vocalist (guitarist and ukele player, too!) Emily Lubitz and find out just who this Melbourne three piece are! Interview by Jennifer Peterson-Ward.

For any new listeners out there, how would you best describe the ‘Tinpan Orange’ sound? Who are some of your major musical influences?

Folk with many deviations. layered sounds and rich textures. Our songs sometimes appear as journal entries and some times as pure fiction. some influences for our recent work include Ryan Adams, Joni Mitchell, Bach, Belle and Sebastian and old french films.

It’s been a few years since your last release (2007’s Death, Love and Buildings), what did you guys get up to in the interim period?

Well, we released 'The Bottom of the Lake' in august 2009. and this new single 'Like Snow' is among many of the new songs that will eventually be our new album in 2011. We are still in the process of laying it down. We have spent a lot of time touring too. Lots of festivals and most corners of australia have been on our itinerary.

Your latest album The Bottom of the Lake has been described as “deliciously sweet” but with a slightly darker edge that your previous releases – would you agree?

Yes. I think lyrically they both have a lightness and a humour with a strong thread of melancholy. But I think sonically 'The Bottom of the Lake' embodies that melancholy more acutely.

What was your vision for the album?

The new album will be lilting but not without drama. We are very excited by classically inspired melodies crescendoing in bridges. Alex Burkoy was classically trained in the Ukriane as a violinist... we are putting him to work.

How does the new record differ from your previous two releases?

We haven't recorded it yet!! we are releasing 'Like Snow' as a single without an album... the Beatles did it all the time!... 

Please explain the story behind the first single off the album - ‘Lovely’.

Lovely is a love letter I once wrote...

Harry Angus from The Cat Empire produced the album, how was it like working with him? Did he have much of an influence on the sound present on the new record?

It was wonderful working with Harry. He definitely steered the ship when recording The Bottom of the Lake. He is very creative in the studio, particularly when it comes to harmony and layering sweet melodic lines and thinking of ways to drive a song without drums and bass. 

How did you three meet and what made you form a band?

it was all an accident. Jesse (my brother) and I were at the Woodford folk festival about 5 years ago with some friends as punters, and Alex was camping next door to us. He woke us one night with his soaring violin sounds, a welcome interruption of precious sleep only because it was so pretty. We met him the next morning, and the rest is history.

What was the inspiration behind the band name ‘Tinpan Orange’?

It's a reference to Tin Pan Alley, the district in New York that was the hub of the publishing and recording industry in the early 20th century. And our grandmother made amazing orange marmalade. 

Who writes most of the songs and who crafts the melody? Is it a shared effort or do you have set roles within the band?

Mostly I write the songs I sing and Jesse writes the songs he sings. Sometimes we collaborate but very rarely. I have been workshopping some of my new songs with Harry Angus, which I think has helped me grow as a songwriter.

You’ve been in the industry for over five years now, have you ever had any trouble staying true to your roots? If so, how did you overcome it?

It's important to keep evolving. our roots have always been pretty strong. sometimes it's a bigger step to have the courage to deviate from where you began... our roots have been hardy, its a challenge to know when to let the leaves fall.

I understand you have caught the eye of fellow Australian roots musician John Butler, who has openly come out as a fan of yours. He also happens to be a fellow Australian that has made it into the big league. How does that feel? Are you aiming for success on the same level as him?

It is always a wonderful thing to be appreciated by people that you appreciate. aiming for certain success can a distraction so we like to take it year by year, song by song, fan by fan. I am already grateful for what we are able to do with what we love. 

I also understand that you are also old friends with Clare Bowditch – have you ever considered writing with her?

We have written a song together. over 15 years ago. it hasn't been heard by many... it's called 'There were two girls...' I think we'll keep it in the archives.

Now you’ve spent the last year performing in every state in Australia at some of the best-known festivals such as the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland and the Falls Festival in Victoria. Have you any plans to continue to tour nationally or overseas this year?

Yes! we are touring Australia in Aug/Sept to celebrate the release of our new single 'Like Snow' and then we are off to Europe in October to support the Cat empire on their 20 cities in 30 days tour... 2010 is a big one! Then back home for festivals and festivities.

Lastly, what can people expect from a Tinpan Orange live performance?

Intimacy, intensity and subtlety.

For Music & Upcoming Tour Dates:http://www.myspace.com/tinpanorange/