Malibu is no stranger to secrets.  For example, did you know it’s hiding a gorgeous music venue?  The Malibu Performing Arts Center (MPAC), sitting low on a hill near Webb Way & PCH, seats an intimate 500 guests, and gives off a private, art-opening vibe.  The stage area feels like someone’s personal, state of the art, performance hall -- if that person was, say, a rich sultan with understated taste and a lot of friends, or perhaps a zillionaire director who likes to hold live theatrical interpretations of blockbuster films for an elite group of associates.  I suppose “special and accessible” are also fine ways to describe the theater.

Last night, KCRW debuted a new, “Session Series” at MPAC, showcasing the extraordinary talent of station sweetheart, Sia.  The one-named Aussie took the stage with a ten year old co-vocalist and a five man band.  They began the show by emerging victorious, dressed as neon flowers and happy faces, accompanied by Bill Conti’s, “Gonna Fly Now,” Rocky Theme.

Their energy was matched by an eager crowd of station members who gobbled up tickets for this unique performance in less than 7 minutes.  This was not an industry showcase, these were fans.  KCRW Music Director and on-air personality Nic Harcourt announced the evening, and the event was recorded for posterity as well as streamed lived for the internet viewers at home.

She opened strong with the quirky and catchy Buttons, followed by the peppy track, Little Black Sandals.  Much like her El Rey show in January, Sia was an exuberant pixie, singing her guts out in the cutest way imaginable.  She makes impossible runs seem effortless while managing the complex duality of being both sexy and silly.

Pleading chillingly during Lentil, “I never meant to let you down,” Sia quickly switched the mood to encourage hecklers and banter before starting back up with a childlike sway and a dainty sip of beer.  During a particularly excited moment, she charmingly forgot the lyrics to Sunday after seeing a couple dancing in their seats. 

Nic Harcourt reemerged for an informal, free form Q&A with Sia on the stage sofa.  We learned that Ms. Furler is from Adelaide Australia, when she was three years old a lit match-head flew into her eyeball, that her father is known for singing songs about meat pies, her mother is an art historian/bass player, her uncle was in Men At Work, and she used to listen to a cassette loop of Chrissie Hynde vocal runs from Don’t Get Me Wrong on side A, and an instrumental loop of Light My Fire from The Doors on side B.

She also gave a brief career history starting with the “jazz, funk, acid house explosion” of her early 90’s band Crisp.  She followed with tales of her tanked-out London solo efforts and a sports obsessed manager that fortuitously paired her up with Zero 7.

She finished up the show with a handful of additional originals.  One sounded incredibly like the Knight Rider theme, and she also offered up the jewel of Six Feet Under, Breathe Me .  A few Zero 7 numbers (Destiny, Sommersault) also found their way to the set.

Future KCRW/MPAC shows will be announced soon.