Lenka

Last updated

Lenka
Lenka at Bumbershoot 2009, Seattle by Kirk Stauffer (cropped).jpg
Lenka performing at Bumbershoot festival in Seattle, 2009
Background information
Birth nameLenka Eden Kripac [1]
Also known asLenka
Born (1978-03-19) 19 March 1978 (age 46) [2] [3]
Bega, New South Wales, [4] Australia
Genres Indie pop
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • actress
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • trumpet
  • tambourine
  • castanet
Years active1994–present
Labels
Website lenkamusic.com

Lenka Eden Kripac (born 19 March 1978) is an Australian singer-songwriter and actress best known for her song "The Show", from her debut album, Lenka. "The Show" has been used in numerous advertisements, most notably for Old Navy, as well as the Nickelodeon film Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging and the 2011 film Moneyball. [5] Her song "Everything at Once" was used in a Windows 8 television advertisement and in a Disney Studio All Access commercial. [6] Her fifth studio album, Attune , was released in 2017. [7]

Contents

Early life

The daughter of Czechoslovak jazz trumpet musician Jiří Křipač [8] and an Australian schoolteacher, Eden, Lenka was raised in the Australian coastal town of Bega until age seven, when her family moved to Sydney. There she received her schooling, acting and music training, and started to work as a highly regarded theatre actress and later musician. [9]

Career

Lenka at the Hotel Cafe Tour at Doug Fir in Portland, Oregon Lenka, Portland 2008.jpg
Lenka at the Hotel Cafe Tour at Doug Fir in Portland, Oregon

1994–2007: Early years

As a teenager, Lenka studied acting at the Australian Theatre for Young People, [10] where she trained with actress Cate Blanchett. [11] Lenka starred in the Australian ABC-TV drama series GP as Vesna Kapek in the 1990s. She also hosted Cheez TV and has guest starred in other Australian TV series, including Home and Away , Wildside , Head Start , and Spellbinder . She appeared in Australian feature films The Dish and Lost Things , as well as in theatre productions. [11] Lenka provided the vocals for two tracks on Paul Mac's 2005 album Panic Room , including its title track. She also served a member of the Australian electronic-rock crossover band Decoder Ring for two of their albums between 2004 and 2005. She then moved to California in 2007. [9]

2008–2012: Self-titled debut album

After adopting her first name as her sole artistic name, Lenka released her eponymous debut album on 24 September 2008, with "The Show" (produced by Stuart Brawley) chosen to be the first single release from the set. [12] The album peaked at number 142 on the US Billboard 200. Her song "Everything at Once" was featured in a Windows 8 ad, becoming a worldwide success. [13] Lenka creates paper art type stop-motion animated music videos for each of her singles with her husband James Gulliver Hancock, a visual artist from Australia, for a deliberately childlike effect. [8] She provided vocals on two tracks ("Addicted" and "Sunrise") on German artist Schiller's album Atemlos , released in Germany on 12 March 2010.

In 2011, Lenka released her second album Two which was inspired by her engagement and is full of romantic love songs. Despite a warm critical reception, [14] the album failed to match the success of her debut album, with Two reaching peak chart positions of 69 and 88 on the Belgian and Swiss charts respectively. [15] [16] Her third album Shadows was released in 2013, following the birth of her son.

2015–present: Subsequent releases

Lenka's fourth studio album The Bright Side , was released in 2015 and the most featured single in this album became "Blue Skies". [17] A remix version of the song, released on the YouTube remix channel Trap Nation, has over 30 million views on YouTube. [18] Her fifth studio album, Attune , was released in 2017 and contains the track "Heal", which was created in cooperation with Australian singer and author Sally Seltmann. [7] Her most played songs on BBC are "All My Bells Are Ringing", "We Will Not Grow Old", "Everything at Once", "Don't Let Me Fall", and "Trouble Is a Friend". [19] In 2023, Lenka released her sixth studio album, Intraspectral.

Personal life

Lenka currently resides in regional New South Wales, Australia. She is married to visual artist James Gulliver Hancock. [20] She announced on 27 September 2011 that she was pregnant. [21] In March 2012, she announced on Twitter that she had given birth to a boy named Quinn. In 2016, she gave birth to her daughter, Etta. [22] [23]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000 The Dish Marie McIntyreFeature film
2004 Lost Things EmilyFeature film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1994 Home and Away Francine 'Frankie' BrooksTV series, 10 episodes
1995–1997 Spellbinder JosieTV miniseries, 5 episodes
1995–1996 G.P. Vesna KapekTV series, seasons 7–8, 23 episodes
1995–2005 Cheez TV HostTV series
1997 Medivac Nikki KershawTV series, season 2, 3 episodes
1998 Wildside Jasmine YakabovichTV series, season 1, episode 11
2000 Above the Law Dee Anne WilliamsTV series, season 1, 5 ep
Murder Call Lily AureliTV series, season 3, episode 15: "Last Act"
2001 All Saints Erin ShanahanTV series, season 4, episode 19: "Can You Hear Me?"
Head Start Lucy SwainTV miniseries, 5 episodes
2005 The Alice Sally FlemingTV miniseries, 2 episodes

Theatre

YearTitleRoleNotes
1993The Garden of Granddaughters Wharf Theatre, Sydney with Playbox Theatre Company & STC
2002Blue WindowDarlinghurst Theatre, Sydney
2002Progress Old Fitzroy Theatre, Sydney with Cabin Crew Theatre
2004Tales from the Arabian NightsLaycock Street Theatre, Gosford with Kim Carpenter’s Theatre of Image

[24]

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ladytron</span> English band

Ladytron are an English-based electronic band formed in Liverpool in 1999. The group consists of Scottish lead singer Helen Marnie, Bulgarian-Israeli Mira Aroyo, and Englishman Daniel Hunt. Reuben Wu (synthesizers) was a member from 1999 until 2023. They have released seven studio albums: 604 (2001), Light & Magic (2002), Witching Hour (2005), Velocifero (2008), Gravity the Seducer (2011), Ladytron (2019) and Time's Arrow (2023). They also issued the live album Live at London Astoria 16.07.08 in 2009 and the compilation album Best of 00–10 in 2011. They have produced remixes for artists such as Dave Gahan, Erasure, Goldfrapp, Apoptygma Berzerk, Placebo, Blondie, Gang of Four, Christina Aguilera, Nine Inch Nails, Bloc Party, Kings of Convenience, Soulwax and Róisín Murphy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Real (Jennifer Lopez song)</span> 2001 single by Jennifer Lopez

"I'm Real" is the name of two songs recorded by American actress and singer Jennifer Lopez, both primarily for her second studio album, J.Lo (2001). The original song was released as the album's third single; Ja Rule of Murder Inc. Records wrote and was featured on a newly-written song with completely different lyrics and production titled "I'm Real (Murder Remix)", which was featured on a re-issue of J.Lo in July 2001, on Lopez's remix album, J to tha L–O! The Remixes (2002), and on Ja Rule's third studio album, Pain Is Love (2001).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everything at Once</span> 2012 single by Lenka

"Everything at Once" is a song written and recorded by the Australian singer Lenka. It was released in November 2012 as the third single from her second studio album, Two (2011).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lights (musician)</span> Canadian musician

Lights Valerie Anne Poxleitner-Bokan, known mononymously as Lights, is a Canadian musician, singer, and songwriter. Her debut album, The Listening (2009), included the singles "Drive My Soul" and "Saviour". Her second album, Siberia, which featured the single "Toes", was released in 2011. Her work has earned multiple Canadian Independent Music Awards, and Juno Awards including Pop Album of the Year for her third album Little Machines, which included the single "Up We Go", and fourth album Skin & Earth, in 2015 and 2018, respectively. Lights' fifth studio album, PEP, was released in 2022.

<i>Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel</i> 2009 studio album by Mariah Carey

Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel is the twelfth studio album by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released on September 29, 2009 in the United States, by Island Records, Def Jam Recordings and The Island Def Jam Music Group. After promotion for her previous album, E=MC² (2008) ended, Carey began to work on a new album, producing songs with Terius "The-Dream" Nash and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hillary Scott</span> American country singer (born 1986)

Hillary Dawn Scott-Tyrrell is an American singer and songwriter who rose to fame as the co-lead vocalist of the country music group Lady A. She is signed to Big Machine Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yuna (singer)</span> Malaysian singer (born 1986)

Yunalis Mat Zara'ai, known professionally as Yuna, is a Malaysian singer. Her initial exposure came through the viral success of her music uploaded to Myspace, which received over one million plays. This online success alerted an indie-pop label/management company to her music, and in early 2011 she signed with the Fader Label. She is best known for her collaboration with Usher on her breakout single "Crush", which peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard Adult R&B chart. From 2010-2015, she was the 2nd Most Popular Female Singer in Malaysia with Siti Nurhaliza at first place and Stacy Anam at 3rd place.

<i>Lenka</i> (album) 2008 studio album by Lenka

Lenka is the debut studio album by Australian recording artist Lenka. It was released on 23 September 2008 by Epic Records. The first single, "The Show", was released on 15 June 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellie Goulding</span> English singer and songwriter (born 1986)

Elena Jane Goulding is an English singer and songwriter. Born in Hereford and raised in Lyonshall, Goulding began writing songs at the age of 15. She released her debut single "Under the Sheets" through Neon Gold Records in 2009, and signed with Polydor Records that same year, releasing her debut extended play (EP) An Introduction to Ellie Goulding. Her debut studio album, Lights (2010), debuted at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart, and was reissued as Bright Lights, spawning three successful singles: a cover of Elton John's "Your Song", "Starry Eyed" and "Lights".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trouble Is a Friend</span> 2009 single by Lenka

"Trouble Is a Friend" is a song by Australian recording artist and actress Lenka from her debut studio album, Lenka (2008). It was released on 1 September 2009 as the album's second and final single. The song was written by Thomas Salter and Lenka. It was used in an episode from the fifth season of the popular medical drama Grey's Anatomy, teen drama television series 90210 and in the 2010 film Easy A.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tinashe</span> American singer, dancer and actress (born 1993)

Tinashe Jorgensen Kachingwe, known mononymously as Tinashe, is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress. Born in Lexington, Kentucky, Tinashe moved to Pasadena, California, as a child, where she pursued work in entertainment. Her notable roles include a motion-capture performance in the animated film The Polar Express (2004), Robin Wheeler in the Cartoon Network television series Out of Jimmy's Head (2007–2008), and a recurring role in the CBS series Two and a Half Men (2008–2009). From 2007 to 2011, she was a member of the girl group the Stunners. After they disbanded, Tinashe released her first musical project, the alternative R&B-styled mixtape In Case We Die (2012) to positive critical reception, and signed with RCA Records shortly after. Her second and third mixtapes, Reverie (2012) and Black Water (2013), received further praise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cher Lloyd</span> English singer (born 1993)

Cher Lloyd is an English singer. She participated on the seventh series of the television talent show The X Factor in 2010 and finished in fourth place. Following the show, Lloyd was signed to Syco Music in the United Kingdom and Epic Records in the United States. She released her debut studio album, Sticks and Stones, in 2011, which had two releases: its standard edition and a US version. The album peaked at number four on the UK Albums Chart, while the latter version debuted at number nine in the US Billboard 200. It included the successful singles "Swagger Jagger", which entered at number one on the UK Singles Chart, "With Ur Love", and "Want U Back".

<i>Two</i> (Lenka album) 2011 studio album by Lenka

Two is the second studio album by Australian recording artist Lenka. It was released on 19 April 2011 in the United States through Epic Records and on 28 February 2011 in Singapore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birdy (singer)</span> English singer and songwriter (born 1996)

Jasmine Lucilla Elizabeth Jennifer van den Bogaerde, known professionally as Birdy, is an English singer and songwriter. She won the music competition Open Mic UK in 2008, at the age of 12.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucy Rose</span> English musician

Lucy Rose Parton, professionally known as Lucy Rose, is an English singer-songwriter. She signed with Columbia Records to release her debut studio album, Like I Used To (2012), which was met with critical praise and entered the UK Albums Chart, along with each of her subsequent releases. Her fifth and latest studio album, This Ain't The Way You Go Out, was released in April 2024. She founded her own record label, Real Kind Records, an imprint of Communion Music in January 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iggy Azalea</span> Australian rapper (born 1990)

Amethyst Amelia Kelly, known professionally as Iggy Azalea, is an Australian rapper, songwriter, model and businesswoman. Born in Sydney, Australia, Azalea moved to the United States at the age of 16 in order to pursue a career in music. Azalea earned public recognition after releasing the music videos for her songs "Pussy" and "Two Times" on YouTube. Shortly after releasing those two songs, she released her debut mixtape, Ignorant Art (2011), and subsequently signed a recording contract with American rapper T.I.'s Grand Hustle label.

"Jump" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her seventh studio album, Unapologetic (2012). It was written by Kevin Cossom, M. B. Williams, Stargate and Chase & Status, with production done by the latter two and Kuk Harrell. It interpolates the lyrics of the 1996 single "Pony", performed by Ginuwine. Its composition and structure received comparisons to not only Justin Timberlake's song "Cry Me a River" and Magnetic Man's "I Need Air", but also to some of Rihanna's previous songs, including "Rude Boy" and "Red Lipstick". A remix of the song called "Jump " by rapper Theophilus London was leaked onto the internet. "Jump" was serviced to Australian radio on January 24, 2014, as the album's sixth single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lenka discography</span>

The discography of Lenka Kripac, best known as simply Lenka, a singer-songwriter from New South Wales, Australia, consists of six studio albums and eleven singles. This list does not include material released by Decoder Ring, a band in which Lenka was a member before pursuing a solo career.

<i>Attune</i> 2017 studio album by Lenka

Attune is the fifth studio album by Australian recording artist Lenka, released on 13 October 2017 by Skipalong Records. "Heal" and "Lucky" were released as the lead singles from Attune on 8 September 2017 and 11 August 2017 respectively.

References

  1. ↑ "A TIME". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  2. ↑ Andrew Leahey. "Lenka biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 3 March 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  3. ↑ "It's my barfday! I am halfway to 70, yikes!! Age Ain't Nothin But A Number. xoxox". Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2014– via Twitter.
  4. ↑ "iTunes – Music – Lenka". iTunes Store. 19 March 1978. Archived from the original on 16 March 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  5. ↑ Archived 5 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine , Biography. Retrieved on 5 Jan 2018.
  6. ↑ "Windows 8: Lenka – Everything at Once (TV Spot) | Microsoft". Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2013– via YouTube.
  7. 1 2 Biography by Andrew Leahey [ permanent dead link ] Retrieved on 16 January 2018
  8. 1 2 "Lenka | Artist". MTV Asia. Archived from the original on 13 August 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  9. 1 2 "Bio". The Official Lenka Site. Sony Music Entertainment. Archived from the original on 30 August 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
  10. ↑ "Brisbane Street Press – Lenka". Rave Magazine. 4 November 2008. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  11. 1 2 "Columbia Records UK " Releases " Lenka – Lenka". Columbia.co.uk. Archived from the original on 25 August 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  12. ↑ "The Show by Lenka Songfacts". Songfacts.com. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  13. ↑ "Lenka – Charts & Awards – Billboard Albums". AllMusic. 23 September 2008. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  14. ↑ "Australian singer Lenka returns with sophomore album "Two"". GantDaily.com. 13 January 2011. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  15. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Lenka - Two". ultratop.be. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  16. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Lenka - Two". hitparade.ch. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  17. ↑ "Sony/ATV to jointly release new Lenka album | News | Music Week". musicweek.com. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  18. ↑ Trap Nation (29 May 2015), Lenka - Blue Skies (REVOKE Remix), archived from the original on 9 June 2018, retrieved 31 October 2018
  19. ↑ "Lenka - New Songs, Playlists & Latest News - BBC Music". BBC. Archived from the original on 20 September 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  20. ↑ "Lenka's all grown up and married". AsiaOne. 25 February 2011. Archived from the original on 11 May 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  21. ↑ Archived 4 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  22. ↑ "Twitter / LenkaMusic: Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy! I have". Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2013– via Twitter.
  23. ↑ "Twitter / LenkaMusic: Happy 1st birthday to my darling". Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2013– via Twitter.
  24. ↑ "Lenka". AusStage.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.