Lenka: New Album, U.S. Tour, Michael Jackson's Nose?

Australian-born singer-songwriter Lenka -- whose honeyed voice you've probably heard pacing scenes on the likes of Parenthood and Grey's Anatomy, and whose pop melodies are so addictive, one was recently tapped for The Voice -- has a busy few months coming up.

Between promoting her sophomore album Two, headlining a U.S. tour, keeping track of the steadily-growing collection of accolades the album's been garnering and cementing her rep as a sort of Aussie Ingrid Michaelson, she'll barely have time to monitor the number of views her new single "Heart Skips a Beat" (below) has racked up on YouTube (at this writing: nearly 1.5 million).

Also, she recently got married, to visual artist and video collaborator James Gulliver Hancock, which accounts for the new album featuring "more songs about being in love." Lenka kicks off her tour Friday, June 10, at Bowery Ballroom, with supporting act Elizabeth and the Catapult. Meantime, we kicked the Q across the river to this Brooklyn transplant and found out -- among other things -- that she's been said to have "a nose like Michael Jackson."

Name: Lenka
Age: 33
Lives in: Brooklyn
Occupation: Singer/songwriter
 
First real job?
Delivering junk mail on my bike.
 
First record you ever bought?
First tape was Kylie Minogue. [Pretty much an Australian prerequisite. -Ed.]  First CD was Prince's Diamonds and Pearls. First vinyl was an old copy of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours
 
Your first NYC gig: Discuss.
It was with Decoder Ring at Pianos.
 
If you ever get arrested, it'll be for...
Visa issues.
 
Best show you've ever seen in the city?
Joanna Newsom at Carnegie Hall.
 
What time do you wake up?
About 9am.
 
Top three songs in your iPod rotation?
Lykke Li, "Get Some"

Joanna Newsom, "Good Intentions Paving Company"

Etta James, "I'd Rather Go Blind"
 
What do you splurge on?
Good food.
 
To when do you point your time machine?
To when I have a peaceful home with a garden and babies.
 
Complete this sentence: In a previous life, I was speared through the throat, burned at the stake and deserted by a fisherman husband. Apparently.
 
Best meal you’ve ever had in NYC?
Seafood stew at Bianca on Bleecker Street.
 
First childhood memory?
Being in my cot feeling annoyed at the rooster outside waking me up.
 
What’s your pre-show ritual?
Putting on make-up whilst doing my vocal warm-up.
 
Most treasured possession?
My wedding photos and objects (ring, dress, etc.).
 
Do you Google yourself?
Once in a while. It's horrifying.
 
What’s the most memorable thing you’ve ever read about yourself on the internet?
That I have a nose like Michael Jackson.
 
What's your drink?
Vodka. Preferably Zubrovka.
 
What's your greatest skill in the kitchen?
Making soupy Asian hot/sour broths.  
 
Your favorite thing about yourself?  
My ability to cheer others up.  
 
Who are your heroes?
Super heroes. X-Men. She-ra. Björk.
 
What scares you?
Waves and drowning.
 
Best piece of advice you've ever received?
Be yourself.
 
What's the loftiest goal you've yet to accomplish?
Performing with an orchestra.
 
Fill in the blank: I’ll know I’ve really made it when
I stop.

Tweet your obit (140 characters or less):
Lenka had a good life!!!
 

--EB

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