Australian singer-songwriter Lenka has written songs that have been used in TV and film. Her song “The Show” most notably appeared in Bennett Miller’s 2011 film “Moneyball” starring Brad Pitt.
She’s now bringing that dreamy folk style pop to Arlington’s IOTA Club & Café on Sunday, July 21. The Eagle’s Tam Sackman talked to Lenka about parenthood, Czech food and the current state of pop music.
Tam Sackman: I’ve read that you were heavily involved in the performing arts back in Australia. How has your experience as an actress translated into performing musically?
Lenka: In a few different ways. One would be that I have a little bit of a theatrical-ness when I sing, I think maybe more than some other singer-songwriters have today. I do enjoy bringing out the drama in a song. I think that’s probably left over from my time as an actress. Even the way that I approach the making of a song is influenced a little bit by my acting experience in sort of getting obsessed with things like human interaction and emotion, the way we communicate, stuff like that.
TS: Your upcoming tour has dates all over the East Coast USA, Europe, Russia and your home of Australia. What’s the best part about touring internationally?
L: You know, it’s the best and the worst at the same time. You’re getting to go to these places that are so far away and so different culturally. It’s also really exhausting to travel. Even sometimes just the kind of culture shock or feeling homesick or trying to find something that you want to eat in a country where you might not like that culture’s food could be hard. You mentioned Russia, and I’ve never been to Russia, so that will be pretty interesting. I’m actually half Czech and I do like some of their cuisine but I do know that I don’t like a lot of the food and I think it's kind of similar. I’ve toured in Poland and I know it can be hard to find a fresh salad, for example, so that’s going to be interesting. But the positives will outweigh the negatives for sure. It’s going to be a lot of fun.
TS: A lot of people first hear of your music through other forms of media like TV and movies, you were featured in a bunch of commercials and on the show “Grey’s Anatomy” and the movie “Moneyball.” Why do you feel that your songs are such a popular choice?
L: I don’t know, but I’m very grateful for it. I think that I kind of lucked out, timing wise, it’s just sort of what’s in fashion at the moment, the sort of girly, singer-songwriter stuff. In this kind of musical era where radio is changing and the Internet is a much more powerful medium, having my songs play on TV is actually a really great way to introduce my music to people. Also, I get a real kick out of it, especially in films when a song of mine plays a pivotal, emotional role.
TS: How has your music changed since you became a mother?
L: It’s changed quite a bit actually. I made a lullaby album (“Shadows”). It’s sort of made me mellow out musically. I want to make music that’s really soothing, and gentle and calm. That’s probably something I’ve always wanted to do, but I think now is the right time. I think my perspective as a songwriter has changed. The voice of the lyrics, where I’m coming from, has shifted a bit, from me completely self-obsessed and complaining about my life and how I’m so depressed or confused or whatever it is. I don’t have as much time for that anymore, so it’s more like partly I want to pass my wisdom down to my child and the next generation and partly I just want to find hope and optimism and gorgeousness and kind of spread that around.
TS: How do you feel about the current state of pop music?
L: I think that there’s some great stuff going on. There’s some pretty boring stuff going on, too. I’m getting a bit bored with the whole dance music thing. But, it’s interesting to me. Basically, everybody wants a good pop song and everybody wants a great chorus, or a great hook. Something that makes them feel good, that’s really accessible, that they can remember or sing along to when they’re driving around or out drunk with their friends.
TS: Your most recent album involves a collaboration with your former “Decoder Ring” bandmate, Tom Schutzinger. How was it working together again?
L: It was great. It really felt like we had come full circle because he was one of the first people that I started jamming with when I first started getting into music and gave me the opportunity to start professionally with their band. And I really like his beautiful sensibility. He’s pretty weird, so it was nice to have him take me out of my comfort zone, and just mess it up a bit, especially with layering and the structure of songs. Also, I know him really well, he lives down the road from me in Sydney and I had a little baby when I worked with him and we would go to his house and my husband would be looking after the newborn baby in the next room while I was in the studio, and I’d pop out and breastfeed him. You can only really do that with people that you know well.
TS: Where are you most looking forward to stopping on your upcoming tour?
L: I’m really quite excited for New York. Also, later in the year I’ll be in Turkey, and I’m really curious as to what that will be like.
Catch Lenka at the IOTA Club & Café in Arlington, Virg. on Sunday, July 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $15.
thescene@theeagleonline.com
