The multitalented Lenka Kripac recently started receiving attention from the American press for her self-titled debut, but this is hardly the beginning of her performance career. She already signed a record contract with Epic Records and is pursuing her indie music career in hopes of earning international acclaim.
Lenka, which was released in 2008, is an indie-pop mix that is easy to listen to and is notable for the combination of unique sounds and different instruments. Kripac melds a playful sense of youth and lyrics filled with experience and wariness about life, making her stand out as an artist.
While her sound is certainly her own, Kripac could most readily be compared to Regina Spektor, Ingrid Michaelson or even The Shins. Like Spektor, Kripac’s songs are saturated with originality and are instrument-driven. As for the Michaelson comparison, Kripac similarly creates a comforting childlike sound and, like The Shins’ songs, hers often incorporate eerie backbeats.
Despite her current success, Kripac did not always want to be a musician. Born in the self-described “bush” of Australia to musically-inclined parents, Kripac moved to Sydney at age 7. Her father was a jazz musician and as a result, she was forced to take trumpet and piano lessons; she cared for neither.
With a music career not yet on the radar, Kripac tried her hand at acting. She started her training as a teenager studying with Cate Blanchett at the Australian Theatre for Young People. Soon after, she began landing roles on stage, in indie films and on television.
She found her way back to music in 2004, however, when she joined the band Decoder Ring on keyboards and as a vocalist. The band was well known for its movie soundtracks, receiving several Australian awards. She played on two of the group’s albums and then moved to Los Angeles to pursue her own singing career in 2007.
Almost immediately, Kripac got off to a strong start, as her most popular song, “The Show,” was featured in an Old Navy ad and a commercial for Ugly Betty. It combines a strong beat and infectious melody, while her lyrics compare life to an unsatisfying show, which she simply has to learn to “enjoy.” After its harmonious tune, the most pleasant characteristic of the song is its paradoxical quality of singing about life’s unpleasantries to an uplifting beat.
Another notable song, “Trouble is a Friend,” creates a mysterious beat, partially through the use of a vibraphone. Its unique melody combines a sense of reassurance and melancholy. In general, Kripac’s expansive use of different instruments allows her to develop an original sound. “Trouble” also has since been featured on Grey’s Anatomy and 90210.
Lenka describes her CD on her Web site as a “mood enhancer.” It takes a realistic look at life while remaining optimistic.
Currently on tour, Lenka is scheduled to play Friday at the Gravity Lounge in downtown Charlottesville.
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