In advance of her Orpheum show, Sara Bareilles performs 'King of Anything' for The Times [video]

Sara Bareilles was anxious about the release of "Kaleidoscope Heart" -- and perhaps rightly so. The album, her second with a major label, had a lot to live up to: Her last record, 2007's "Little Voice," went platinum, and its hit single, "Love Song," earned two Grammy nominations.

But the singer-songwriter's fears about "one-upping" herself were quickly dispelled earlier this month, when her new record shot to the top spot on Billboard's Top 200 in its first week of release. 

"I really just reflected on how amazing the fans were," Bareilles said of how she celebrated the accomplishment. "...That was them showing up in droves and buying the album and telling friends and friends buying the album. I'm just incredibly grateful and shocked."

Pop & Hiss sat down with Bareilles in early September near her home in Venice, where she opened up about her desire to transcend her reputation as "the 'Love Song' girl." Last week, we stopped by her rehearsal space in Burbank, where she and her all-male band were practicing before heading out on the road to kick off her fall headlining tour in Idaho. On Tuesday, she'll play a sold out show at the Orpheum Theatre downtown.

The first single off her latest record, "King of Anything," follows in the same vein as "Love Song" -- they were both written as what she calls "pep talk songs" that helped her stay true to herself when she was being judged. ("Love Song" is about the disdain she felt toward record label executives who insisted she deliver a commercial radio single; "King of Anything" is about the disdain she felt toward those who disliked some of the songs off her new album.)

"My songs are very much diary entries for me," she said. "And so a lot of times it's almost exactly what you read in the pages of my real journal. And it's me trying to encourage myself to be positive, to be confident, to be brave. I feel like if I'm feeling it, somebody else must be feeling it in the world."

Check out a performance of "King of Anything" below:

-- Amy Kaufman

Twitter.com/AmyKinLA

RECENT AND RELATED:

Sara Bareilles Finds Her Focus — Finally

Album Review: Sara Bareilles, 'Kaleidoscope Heart'

Comments

[pcm]

wow. that's it? nice girl. mediocre music. i was so hoping for a revelation. this song is jr high drama. glee club reach.

[Melissa]

Her music is so inspiring. She sings and writes from the heart; which is a breath of fresh air, since most artists nowadays have no musical talent... they just have autotune! haha. Im extremely proud of her sophomore album and its success! And I look forward to hearing more from her this Saturday at her concert in dallas! :)

[jojo]

"screw you"?
No, Screw YOU!
This is vapid, shallow, "career music" for the teddy bear generation.
absolute crap

[cassie]

well, pcm, check out the rest of the CD. i honestly love "king of anything", but i agree--not her best. STILL it's only a piece of what "kaleidoscope heart" has to offer. give it a try. you won't be sorry.

[crf]

WOW the energy on this posting is so negative..come on this is a california girl, lets be a little more supportive huh?

sure maybe this isn't your cup of tea, but this song isnt' the best example of Sara's talent. it was the first radio single so if you want to blame anyone, blame america for wanting their music to sound like bubbly pop fizzle...

but seriously the treat to Sara B's music is her raw emotion in songs like Undertow, City and especially Gravity. Can't wait to hear it live, I know I will cry. check out her independent release, careful confessions. that's the album that I fell in love with and hard to top in my eyes, but she's done a great job with Kaleidoscope Heart, much better than Little Voice (sorry, Sara!)

this new CD hints of fiona apple (bluebird), sara machlachlin, norah jones (basket case) and some that are jsut pure Sara B (machine gun, not alone and my fave, Hold My Heart). give it a listen. and hey, if you don't like it? so what...nobody died and made you king either!

[gary stein]

This new album is absolutely fantastic! So easy to knock someone who doesn't try to be hip,edgy,arty,alternative,too-cool for the room.This is just exceptionally good music.Well crafted songs,perfectly arranged,beautifully sung.Just makes my ears and soul feel good.Congrats Sara! You have earned a new fan!

[Beverly]

Sara rocks...anyone who tries/has tried to tell her otherwise seriously needs some help....or some ear cleaner? Seriously though, whether someone sounds good or not is all subjective and personal preference and people who just want to say/post negative things about Sara obviously have their own issues. Sara is one of the most talented people I have ever seen. Her music is straight from the heart and I GREATLY admmire her soul. KEEP IT UP GIRL....we NEED you.

[bob]

2nd album is amazing. Curious about her vocal talents? search you tube, wow.
Is she going to give us world peace? No. Can she give me (us) a break from reality with a gorgeous voice and some real emotion? I say Hell Yes!

In a world lacking feeling, for me, she adds a much needed relief and release.
If you do not agree, who cares, life's short. I gave up trying to please everybody a long time ago. Relax...Music is art, Don't like it? Try something else.