It’s hard not to fall in love with Australian singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin. Her songs have the ethereal cool of Lana Del Rey; the steely resolve of Neko Case and the lyrical depth of Gillian Welch. Except that her sound is all her own, and on her debut album Don't Let The Kids Win, out October 7 on Polyvinyl, she explores life and all its woes in majestic aural glory.

Jacklin, who grew up west of Sydney, Australia in the Blue Mountains, had a more staid upbringing. Born to a family of teachers, there were thoughts of becoming a social worker before discovering music. Currently supporting Marlon Williams in North America, Jacklin talks to Myspace about how watching a Britney Spears documentary inspired her to get singing lessons and why a Zach Braff namecheck would be the best thing ever for her.

Hometown: Springwood, Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia

Homebase: Glebe, Australia

Describe your music to people who haven't heard it before.

I say something awkward like, "ah it's like folk rock, lyrically heavy songs, singing.....ah just have a listen and let me know."

Why is your album called Don't Let The Kids Win?

It's the title of the last track on the record. It's a song about being at peace (for now) about getting older.

What’s your big goal with your album?

For it to sell copies and for people to listen to those copies! Actually the big goal is that Zach Braff hears it and then tweets about it. I reference him in one of the songs.

You're going on a pretty extensive world tour. What are you looking forward to the most?

Just meeting heaps of people and having some good conversations. Really looking forward to some of the festivals too, hopefully meet and listen to some heroes of mine.

How did you figure out your musical aesthetic?

I think I discovered music through my parents and my neighbours. I lived next to two teenage boys with great selections on their iPods. Then I think listening to Fiona Apple made me want write my own songs. Maybe playing in my first band Anonymous when I was 13 gave me my first taste of the stage.

So when did you realized you wanted to sing and perform for others?

Watching a Britney Spears documentary when I was 11 on a family holiday gave me the push to get singing lessons.

Do you remember the first song you ever wrote?

It was a co-write with my sister when I was seven. It was a deep song about who owned a coin we found.

You thought you were going to be a social worker. What instigated the idea that you were going to be a musician instead?

It was just always on my mind. I couldn't put my heart into social work and uni, so I thought I should just stop feeling guilty and just give music a go. I tried to do both but I think I gotta just focus on one thing at a time right now!

Who are your musical inspirations?

Fiona Apple, Joanna Newsom, Leonard Cohen, Father John Misty, Gillian Welch to name a few. They all have incredible lyrics. All know how to say simple things in incredible ways.

What's your songwriting process like?

Usually words first, then I sit and fight with the guitar for a few hours till something sticks, play it a few times, record it, play it to my friends, gauge the reaction, then bin it or keep it.

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

A guy from Azerbaijan sent me a cover of one of my songs, with a string section and everything. That was very nice.

If you were a hashtag, what would you be?

#alwayslookingforafreemeal