“I can’t even remember where I was or what I was doing that day,” lead singer Emily Lubitz told X-Static, on the eve of the band’s fifth album release.

For the release of Love is a Dog (April 8), there was some fanfare – but not too much – with an in-store appearance at Polyester Records in Fitzroy.

“It’s a very authentically Melbourne and authentically us way to launch an album,” Lubitz said.

The record itself is more than a year of hard work, written and recorded in the spare moments that life gave the band.

“My brother (Jesse Lubitz, guitarist) had a baby, I have two little kids, and Harry (Harry Angus of the Cat Empire) who produced the album was touring. And we had to write the songs,” Lubitz said.

The result is an album that takes its time, with negative space instruments that allow Lubitz’ vocals to take the stage – showcasing the falsetto voice that she’s laid down for the first time.

The album tour will stop in Launceston and Hobart at the end of the month.

See Tinpan Orange in Launceston at Fresh on Charles on Sunday, May 1, and in Hobart on Friday, May 29, at the Grand Poobah. Tickets are available through the band’s website for just under $17 apiece.