LENKA – Intraspectral

By starrymag | November 22, 2023

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) I usually say whimsical indie-pop, with electronic and acoustic elements together.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) I’m influenced by a huge range of music, and it keeps evolving. Early on I used to say I was a mixture between The Beatles, Burt Bacharach and Bjørk but this record has some different influences on it. I have a list on my phone of music we referenced in the studio and it has The Cardigans, Robyn, Eurythmics, The Pointer Sisters, Portishead and lots more too! So, a lot of 90s and early 2000s beatsy stuff this time.

Q) Talk about the story behind your second album single “Champion.”

A) This song is a collab with an Aussie artist called Josh Pyke, who’s been a friend for a long time. It’s a throw-back vibe song that is an ode to really great relationships (which we both have) where you and your partner are just really supportive of each other without all the pomp and ceremony of romance.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I’m not sure but my 11-year-old song was singing it constantly around the time when we were working on it, so I knew it was a catchy melody! It’s got a cheery, wholesome vibe and maybe people need a bit of that right now.

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) The concept of the video is very simple, stripped back and plain. Then, there are drawings animated around us of all the things we are describing that are usually associated with romance and champions. I directed the video, and the drawings were done by my husband and kids!

Q) What is your songwriting process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) It’s usually best if melody and lyrics come hand in hand, even just one line of a catch hook or the beginnings of an idea to branch out from. You just never know, inspiration can strike at any moment, but then there’s often a long time of finessing the finished song.

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) I’m very involved and rather bossy, but also know where my skills begin and end, and when to let someone else use their expertise!

Q) Your SEVENTH album Intraspectral comes out shortly. What are some themes you’ll be exploring on it?

A) This is an album that is kind of a release of energy after the boring COVID years. The title is a word I made up that I think means “The spectrum within” and explores a lot of different aspects of the human condition and relationships.

Q) Which of the tracks on the album holds a special place in your heart and what makes it so significant to you?

A) Well, they all do obviously, they’re all my babies. “Ultraviolet” feels especially significant at this moment in time as I’m wanting to expand my life a bit and stretch further beyond my comfort zone.

Q) What song(s) on the album challenged you the most creatively? 

A) The song “Hanging Tough” was a difficult one to get right. It deals with a complicated feeling I have about society and friend groups and feeling like I don’t really understand the way people are. I thought it was just going to be a piano ballad, but the producer helped draw out a much more interesting, somewhat darker sound.

Q) What do you hope lingers with audiences that explore Intraspectral as a whole – whether it is an emotion or a message? 

A) I guess a feeling of accepting the intricacies of life and still being able to celebrate and dance and find joy? I hope people like the beats and grooves we’ve created and maybe have a bit of a dance in their kitchen.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Anyone and everyone! I don’t collaborate much, but I really enjoy it.

Q) It’s the 15th anniversary of your hit song “The Show.” What do you think it is about it that makes it so timeless? 

A) I’m not sure but maybe it’s simplicity? It’s sort of familiar, like a song from childhood.

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) I’ve been exploring Weyes Blood. I really like her voice and sense of drama. I’m quite enjoying Olivia Rodrigo’s new album, too.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) A huge thank you for sticking by me after all these years! I’ve been on quite a journey and written songs about it all along the way and it’s very special to have people listening on the other side.