Everyone has heard the song, “The Show” by singer/songwriter, Lenka but there is so much more to this artist that you should know about! That is where I come in. Lenka took some time out of her busy tour to answer some questions just for Hollywood the Write Way.

What was the most challenging song to write and/or record for the album?
Trouble Is A Friend took four goes at recording to get it right. No great surprise, given the subject matter!

When did you write the song, “The Show?”
In March last year. Jason Reeves and I got together one afternoon and wrote it in an hour and a half. It was a very fun, spontaneous experience.

Can you explain the song, “Trouble is a Friend?”
That’s me trying to make myself feel better about the fact that I seem to always land in hot water just when I think everything’s going great.

How many instruments can you play and when did you start learning to play them?
Mostly I play piano – I learnt when I was a kid but gave it up for a good ten years before re-discovering. I also dabble in trumpet, (learnt that when I was little too,) vibraphone, glockenspiel, guitar and percussion.

When did you start songwriting and did you keep journals growing up?
I definitely wrote a lot of terrible teen angst poetry and a few weird songs at that age, but the real songwriting started about 5 years ago.

How do you co-write with people?
It’s always different, depending on our moods and each person’s style. Ideally there is a natural flow and both people contribute equally. But I often like to write the lyrics by myself.

Where is your favorite place to perform in LA and NY?
I cut my teeth at The Hotel Cafe, so I’m very fond of that as a venue. And I like Pianos and the Mercury Lounge in NYC.

Musically, what are the different ways Australia and LA have been inspiring?
Australia is my home and a very nostalgic place for me. I feel whimsical when I’m there. LA is like an adventure and a great place to experiment and be fearless.

Who are some artists, producers, and writers you would like to work with in the future?
I have a fantasy of writing with Burt Bacharach and I’d be very happy to collaborate with a huge amount of artists, like The Shins, Bjork, Gorillas, Antony and The Johnsons, Gnarls Barkely, Beck, etc etc etc…

How was it being part of the Hotel Café tour and how is it headlining your own tour right now?
Two very different creative experiences. The Hotel Cafe tour was like an old-style review. Very much about the ensemble. My headline tour is more about delving deeper into my songs, playing more music, and really getting intimate with the audiences.

You have said before that The Beatles have been a big influence so can you pick a favorite album?
Abbey Road, but I’m fond of all of it.

As an actress in Australia, what was it like being trained by Cate Blanchett? Name one thing you learned from her that you will never forget.
Wonderful and inspiring. I learnt from her that you have to love your craft.

When you get back into acting in the future, would you like to act on television, film, or both?
I’d like to do both I guess, theatre too, maybe psychedelic musical theatre, who knows.

What is something your family and friends know but the fans would be surprised to know?
The dimple on my cheek is actually a scar from when I was a little girl.