The band has just released Where were we?, a collection of songs that had been recorded at various times and places over the last two years. As is the case with The Lucksmiths' other CDs, most of the songs were written by guitarist Marty Donald. Despite the fact that this collection is the ninth CD released by the group, Marty doesn't feel that the band is particularly prolific. However, he explains that the regular release of material is a result of the fact that the trio "just like to keep busy".

The Lucksmiths typically keep themselves busy creating songs about seemingly ordinary happenings, with topics ranging from bored sandwich hands to 'smokers in love'. The latest collection contains, amongst other things, numbers about playing scrabble (Even Stevens), weekends away (Southernmost) and a wish for the return of cassingles (The Cassingle Revival). So why is it that Marty writes about these things rather than some of the heady subjects dealt with by many songwriters in the indie world?

"There is more meaning in everyday type things, for me, than in grandiose statements - pop songs tend to exist in an abstract plane and much of what has been covered in this plane has lost its meaning from over-use."

The world created by Marty and his band mates is a wondrously reflective one. The lamenting lyrics of one track from Where were we? illustrate this well: "I'm not typically one to rush to judgement but I am having difficulty dealing with adjustment. I suppose that I'll get use to it eventually but so far I prefer the twentieth century."

It must be noted that this track was written before last year, which was quite an eventful time for The Lucksmiths, a time that would have made the twenty first century a little more endearing to the band.

The trio spent most of 2001 touring, playing to crowds as far afield as New York and Manchester. By the sound of things the tour was a great success. In New York, at the beginning of the US tour, The Lucksmiths supported good friends The Ladybug Transistor and got "an amazing response from the crowd."

Marty says that the New York shows were an "absolute highlight" and they reminded him of "why you put up with the shows where you don't get that sort of response". The US tour also gave the band the opportunity to play a few places that it hadn't been before, something Marty appreciated as "It is great to play to people who haven't heard us".

In the UK the band was lucky enough to play with Jonathon Richman, an artist who is admired by all three Lucksmiths. Prior to the gigs one Lucksmith in particular was excited. According to Marty, bass player Mark Monnone's interest in Richman has treaded "the fine line between fandom and stalking", as Mannone followed Richman all around Australia when he toured here a few years back. The band's enthusiastic response to the prospect of playing with the influential performer proved to be well founded, as Marty explains that "Sitting in the backroom with Jonathon Richman is quite an experience."

Having returned from the other side of the globe the Lucksmiths are about to embark on another Australian tour with a Canberra performance on the cards once again. The band has "always had good shows in Canberra", with fans up on their feet and dancing about. In the past The Lucksmiths played to these enthusiastic crowds at The Gypsy Bar. This time around the lads will be playing at Tilley's, a venue that will be well suited to the groups more laid back tunes, of which there are plenty to choose from. With the frequent airplay of the latest single T-shirt Weather in mind, Marty says, "It will be interesting to see if there will be more and/or different faces in the crowd".

The Lucksmiths have never played Tilley's before but Marty explains that they have had breakfast there and that "If the show is anywhere as good as the breakfast usually is, then we're in for some performance." A performance that just might create a few more fortunate Lucksmiths fans.