AUSTRALIAN singer-songwriter Lenka is just what you need to brighten a rainy Monday morning.

But it is not the Good Charlotte-and-a-shot-of-espresso kind of kickstart; rather it’s cutesy, poppy and all rainbows and sunshine. Suffice it to say that her music is the perfect soundtrack for skipping your way to cheery good mood.

“I’m just a girl with an indie soul who writes pop songs,” she said sheepishly during a recent telephone interview from Los Angeles, California. She sings in a bubblegum, almost lullaby-like melody with a touch of childishness, that is quite a departure from the usual polished pop tunes.

Although Lenka’s tunes are sunny and bright, the lyrics occasionally revolve around broken romances, difficult relationships and much gloomier issues. Her first single The Show is about how life is all just a ridiculous show.

She co-wrote The Show with musician Jason Reeves the first time they met. The two strangers sat down and started talking about their lives; how the drama and tribulations involved in each other’s life is like a terrible show.

The way they summed up things struck a creative chord, and they finished writing the song real quickly.

“It’s funny when I think about it. That song took one-and-half hours to write, and I think it’s the fastest I had ever written a song,” shared Lenka, 31.

Before going solo, she was the lead vocalist for Decoder Ring, an Australian electronic-rock crossover band, for two years. During that time, Lenka (known as Lenka Kripac back then) recorded two albums.

Although Decoder Ring’s style is totally different compared to what she is doing now, Lenka enjoyed the experience nonetheless.

She moved to Los Angeles when she decided to pursue a career as a solo artiste and soon enough she recorded her debut album.

For the single Don’t Let Me Fall, she worked alongside composer/arranger David Campbell (father of indie rock god Beck). She said on her website: “It was just extraordinary, being in a studio with nine string players and David conducting. I’m normally in a grungy garage making my music, so this was pretty posh.”

Lenka's debut album.

On the subject of her musical influences, she said: “My dad is a jazz musician, and my mum is a huge Beatles fan. But right now, I’m more into experimental and indie sounds.”

Of course, she also finds pleasure in Beyonce’s music. “I like her sass.”

In the coming months Lenka will be performing around Europe and Asia. She is even coming to Malaysia but don’t be too excited yet because, as she explained, “I have my calender booked for Malaysia for the end of August, but I didn’t plan on any concert. Maybe just a promotional stint of the album.”

Before all this, though, Lenka was a teen actress in Sydney. She did her training in the Australian Theatre for Young People.

She performed on stage, and acted in several television shows and indie films. Although she no longer acts, she would like to return to acting again someday.

“I have a good thing going on with my music now, so we’ll see. But I would love to act again, just not so soon. I don’t really want the whole singer-actress thing.”

She may not be as well-known as Lady GaGa or Katy Perry yet, but her music is making its way to the radio airwaves. It’s easy to recognise her on radio; her sound is refreshing and unique.