SIA WE ARE BORN GIVEAWAY

Sony Music Canada and Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven are teaming up to give away two copies of Sia's new album We Are  Born, which I reviewed here a couple weeks ago with a big stamp of approval.  As some of my readers might remember, the Australian singer-songwriter was featured here a couple months back from an MTV Live taping I attended.

To win, please email mrwillw@mrwillw.com with the name of the first single from We Are Born, to qualify.  Entries must be received by Tuesday, June 29, 2010 midnight (EST). Winners will be contacted via e-mail.  Personal information will not be stored.  Readers in Canada are eligible and one entry per reader only please.  The album is now in stores.  Good luck, Mavenati!

(Photo credit:  Mr. Will-W.)

EXCLUSIVE: SIA LIVE AT MTV CANADA PERFORMING "CLAP YOUR HANDS"

Australian singer-songwriter Sia (née Sia Furler) is just on the verge of releasing her fifth studio album We Are Born via Sony Music on June 7, 2010. She dropped by MTV Studio in Toronto to do a three-track acoustic performance before a young crowd, mostly unfamilar with her material.

Donning a blue knit mesh dress, she charmed her way into the hearts of the audience.  She even took a moment to clear the air after a small argument broke out in the audience and later she addressed some heckling from the crowd with nothing but sheer class.

Sia started off first with latest single Clap Your Hands, which features a decidedly more pop direction under the guidance of Grammy-nominated producer Greg Kurstin (The Bird and The Bee, Lily Allen). She followed the number with two soulful acoustic numbers (titles unknown) with her two guitarists, before exiting gracefully and bidding adieu to fans whom she will see tomorrow at her show at The Phoenix.

My friends and I luckily got a chance to meet Sia on her way to a radio interview and she stopped to sign a few autographs and do photos with some of us. She even remembered my name before boarding her label's Escalade with her publicist, giggling that she's certain her hair looked amazing in our photo together due to a sudden breeze which acted as a Wind Machine. It was as if the forces of nature created a moment just for us!