Tinpan Orange not a flash in the pan

Singer Emily Lubitz

As a trio of engaging, dynamic young musicians performing acoustic folk music, Tinpan Orange distinguish themselves through their professionalism, their command of their instruments, and the maturity of their music and lyrics. Comprised of brother and sister pair Jesse Lubitz (bass guitar, vocals) and Emily Lubitz (guitar, vocals, ukulele), along with violinist Alex Burkoy, the young Melbourne band are certainly on the up, and their live show demonstrates precisely why.

Tinpan Orange’s performance at the Queenscliff Music Festival on Friday night was an impressive display of the band’s abilities, before an appreciative crowd in an intimate venue. There were several families with young children amongst the audience, which was seated as a cohort on rugs laid across bare floorboards. The demographic ran the gamut from babies to teenagers to middle-aged listeners, proving the universality of TinPan Orange’s sound and their consummate skill.

In their opening number, Emily’s honeyed, gin-soaked vocals were backed by deceptively minimal violin plucking from Alex and bass from Jesse, along with carefully timed trombone incursions from multi-instrumentalist guest Mal Webb. A delicate rendition of “The Tide Came In” was both a musical and visceral experience, mixing country and blues into something entirely unique and unusual.

Emily brought out her electric ukulele for the next song, which dealt with the ache of homesickness. The slowed-down but still sunny melody was instantly beguiling; while Alex’s use of violin techniques which echoed traditional Greek music added a welcome extra dimension to the music. The addition of a lullaby-like sing-along, liberally laced with “la la la la”s engaged an already rapt audience.

Guitarist Jesse Lubitz

“The Balcony Song”, described by Emily as about “being in love in rainy weather”, followed. With unobtrusive but proficient beatboxing from Mal Webb providing a subtle background beat, this was the standout number from Tinpan Orange’s set. Emily’s emotive vocals begged the listener to close their eyes and swim in her husky voice, while Alex’s delicate violin playing added an exotic feel. As the crescendo built to a finale, he soared on an extended solo.

Single “Lovely” from new LP The Bottom Of The Lake was persuasive when performed live. Simple but evocative lyrics such as “outside it’s raining like a machine gun/days like these you miss the sun/in other words, I wish you were here” were never merely an accompaniment to the music. Both suggestive and intimate, “Lovely” is delicately constructed and utterly beautiful.

A cover of Paul Kelly’s “If I Could Start Today Again” was a well considered crowd pleaser and in no way detracted from the impression made by their original material, as Tinpan Orange made PK’s song their own. This was followed by the syncopated “The Counting Song”, on which Jesse took over lead vocals with Emily joining in on the chorus to create a lovely harmony. Alex offered slow and poignant violin chords backing his two bandmates.

Violinist, guitarist and mandolinist Alex Burkoy

On “Round N Round” Alex tried his hand at guitar, producing the same measured warbling technique as with his violin playing, and producing a sensual, Latin-sounding guitar solo. Tapping the guitar body with his fingertips he provided a rudimentary but effective accompaniment. “Saudade” dealt with longing in a superbly gypsy-tinged style, the beauty of the music tempering the melancholy of the lyrics.

Tinpan Orange proved themselves an immensely impressive live outfit, confident and comfortable on the stage. Emily’s stage presence is strong, yet soft and vulnerable, and the wonderful dynamic between the band members is conveyed to the audience. Their music is serious, and often sad, but the true proof of their talent lies in their ability to make this sorrow appealing and involving for the audience, who are inevitably drawn in and emotionally engaged.

Tinpan Orange
The Brickhouse @ QMF
Friday 27^th November
9.45-10.45pm
Tinpan Orange official website