You might not realize it, but you already know Lenka’s music. An actress in Australia before she began singing, Lenka put in her time in the rock band Decoder Ring before she moved to the United States to establish herself as a singer-songwriter. Her first album bore the ubiquitous ditty “The Show,” which was featured in the Brad Pitt movie Moneyball (“I’m just a little girl caught in the middle …) and catapulted her to fame. Since then, she’s worked on new songs and music for TV; she’s also gotten married and now has a three-year-old son. This summer, Lenka will release her fourth album, The Bright Side. If the first single “Blue Skies” is anything to go by, the set is less peppy—but more slinky and dance-y—than her previous work. She talks about how her family life has inspired her music-making and more.

Hometown: Sydney, Australia.

Current residence: Mostly Sydney but also New York and Los Angeles for a few months a year.

Why is your album called The Bright Side?

The Bright Side represents hope, optimism and striving for joy. I propose we not only look on the bright side, but actually live on the bright side. That's my intention.

What was your songwriting process like?

A little sporadic at the moment! Ideally I like to feel some urge of inspiration and be driven to write, but sometimes it take discipline and scheduling too. I write on the piano and use my laptop to make beats.

You got had a lot of success just as you were starting your family. How do you balance performing music and raising your child?

It's tricky and exhausting but also very inspiring. I am happier all round so it's worth it!

And your family moves to wherever you have shows, right?

We try to stay together, except I head off on tour by myself for little trips. It's just too hard to have a toddler in all the venues and hotels.

Has being a mom changed the way you write music?

My little boy has been inspiring me to make upbeat music 'cause he wants to dance all the time now!

Your videos are pretty amazing. Who conceptualizes them?

I do, for the most part. Then I bring in various creative people to help realise the ideas. I love making videos. I work a lot with my husband (visual artist James Gulliver Hancock). We bounce ideas off each other and have a lot of creative discussions...

Describe your epiphany when you realized you wanted to play music forever.

It wasn't until I was about 23 years old and acting in a play where my character sang a beautiful song. I had some music experience but it wasn't until I sang in this show that I had that cathartic moment and changed my focus and passion.

What did you grow up listening to?

A lot of traditional jazz via my musician father and also ‘60s and ‘80s pop. I was very inspired by and in awe of female musicians who were doing their own thing. Cyndi, Madonna, Fiona, Tori, Bjork … .

What are you listening to now?

New albums by Marina and the Diamonds, Belle And Sebastian, Bjork, Haim. And, as always, the old stuff.

What's the strangest thing a fan has ever done for you?

Tattoos! There are several people out in the world with my name and/or imagery tattooed on their skin forever. Isn't that wild? Talk about commitment!

What's one thing people don't know about you?

The dimple on my face is actually a scar. When i was three i was spinning around and fell hard and broke the cheek tissue, but not the skin. Lucky it wasn't my eye!