Chris Lake. Tom Neville. Sander van Doorn. John O’Callaghan. Markus Schulz. These are just some of the A-grade international DJ/producers who’ve remixed Adelaide native Sia, not to mention singing her praises to all who will listen, and it’s made her one of the most in-demand vocalists working in dance. But it seems Sia is a bit clueless when it comes what’s going on in the clubbing scene that loves her so dearly. While she says she believes the dance music association has brought her fans that she otherwise wouldn’t have had, she’s fairly nonchalant about that side of business, admitting that she’s “fucking clueless” when it comes to the clubbing world.

“I don’t have anything to do with that.” she admits. “I’m so clueless about dance music – I actually employ someone to choose remixes for me and we pay them money and they have taste,” Sia says frankly. “They commission someone to do a remix then they send it back to me. I listen to 15 seconds and I go ‘yeah, of course’.”

While these admissions might shatter any illusion that Sia is a clubbing bunny with her finger on the pulse on what’s going on with the global dance scene, it far from detracts from everything else she’s achieved recently. Original, innovative, quirky, enchanting – these are just a few of the words that could be used to describe Sia, although none of them are really adequate. This unique Australian born singer/songwriter has taken America by storm, and with such amazing lyrics and vocals it’s no surprise why. It’s not everyday that an interview starts with a bathroom visit, but then that’s what separates Sia from the rest.

“I hope I don’t do a pop off, that would be embarrassing,” laughs Sia down the phone, an obvious sign that she’s one of those artists that would answer just about any question thrown at her. What you see is what you get. Or in this case, what you hear. Some will remember her memorable appearance on the club hit Drink To Get Drunk back earlier in the decade, but her next big shot at stardom came when her track Breathe Me, from her 2004 album Colour The Small One, was featured in the final episode of Six Feet Under. It took another four years for her to release a follow up album Some People Have Real Problems. In the same year, Sia’s sexuality become an issue for the press. When asked if it had a positive or negative impact on her career, she says there has been neither.

“No, nothing really. I’ve always been honest if anyone ever asked me. Before I was actually successful I’d always said I’ve always dated boys and girls and anything in between. I don’t care what gender you are, it’s about people. I didn’t just recently open up, I just recently got famous! I’ve always been… well, flexible is the word I would use.”

Sia attributes her longevity to being “thick skinned”, but at the same time admits that she’s very sensitive too. “I don’t read any press,” she says. “I don’t read any reviews or articles. I don’t read anything really to do with myself and I think that’s probably why I’m still here. I’m very sensitive.”

She says that the media can be a real struggle for some people in the industry, and that’s why it is important to have good management. “I’ve also had extremely good [people looking after me] for the last six years. They continued to support me financially and psychologically, being a part of Zero 7 also afforded me the luxury to take a lot of risks with my solo career. That freedom has built me a nice little sweet fanbase. That longevity may have also been due to under-exposure, and there’s a lot to be said for that. I’ve been lucky that I’m not a celebrity. I’m not interesting enough for the media to tear me down like they do with the other pop stars. I’m just a singer.”

Sia says that she’s looking forward to returning home for her first ever Australian tour. With her live performances being described as enchanting, and “bursting with colour and fun” like a “child’s fluorescent drawing coming to life”, it’s no surprise that the tour will now be going to Perth, due to popular demand.

Sia’s future seems bright. We’re sure that this humble musician will be gracing stages around the world for many years to come.

Sia’s tour dates are as follows…

March 25 – The Metro, Sydney
March 29 – The Corner, Richmond, Melbourne (sold out)
March 30 – The Corner, Richmond, Melbourne
March 31 – The Gov, Hindmarsh
April 2 – The Capitol, Perth

And even if she’s not much of a dance music fan, it’s worth checking out Sander van Doorn’s massive rework of her tune The Girl You Lost to Cocaine, performed here at Sensation…