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Sia is one of the most unconventional pop stars on the planet. Though she's responsible for writing some of the catchiest pop songs of all time—Rihanna's "Diamonds," Beyoncé's "Pretty Hurts," and David Guetta's "Titanium" among them—she doesn’t want to be famous (hence the paper bag on her head in her official press portraits, having Lena Dunham perform as an avatar on Late Night with Seth Meyers, and her refusal to be photographed for a recent New York Timesprofile. But shyness be damned! We caught up with the Australian one-name-wonder to talk about sobriety, her dreams of working with David Bowie and Sting, and, oh yeah, her incredible new album, 1000 Forms of Fear:

Who is Sia as a person and an artist?

It’s very subjective; I have no idea. As a person, I’m a good person who shows up for my friends. I do my best to be good. As an artist, I have no idea. I just sort of show up for the process. It’s just channeling, really. I feel like it has nothing to do with me.

What’s behind the title of your new album, 1000 Forms of Fear?

I just heard someone say it once. One of my friends was having a baby and I asked her how she was doing and she said, 'Oh you know, the usual: a thousand forms of fear.' And I said, 'Can I call my album that?'

How would you describe this album in three words?

Awesome, poppier, and outstanding.

Exactly how I would describe you!

Such a fucker!

1000 Forms Of Fear is your sixth album. What do you want fans to take away from this particular body of work?

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No message at all. I believe that once I put music out, it’s owned by the listener. That’s what I like about music, when it gives me feelings. I want them to project whatever they want onto it and make it their own so that it marks a time in their life. I think that’s what everybody wants when they put out music: for people to connect to it.

Let’s talk about the first single, “Chandelier." Sonically and lyrically it’s at such different ends of the spectrum. "Sun is up/ I'm a mess:" Is this about your life?

I’m three-and-a-half years sober.

So this is who you used to be?

I guess this is one of those. When I’m writing a pop song I’ll just write formulaically, strategically. I had the title and the concept and as I wrote it, I was just like, 'This is cooler than usual' and then when I sang it I thought, 'Oh, this song’s for me.' It was one of those pop songs where I was like, 'I don't want to give this away because I actually relate to it.' A lot of the time I don’t actually relate to what I’m writing about in pop songs.

Was there a defining moment when you said to yourself: “I’m going to be a musician. There’s nothing else I would rather do…"

No. I thought I was going to be an actor. I liked entertaining. I was pretty much tap dancing for attention from a very early age. My family was kind of musical and there were people in the circus next door and actors across the road. I just enjoyed messing around with music growing up, but I really thought I was going to be an actor. I was maybe 17 or 18, I went to London and somebody heard me singing karaoke and offered me 50 pounds to write and sing on some house tracks. I did it and then I went back to Australia shortly thereafter and saw an old boyfriend on the street and he told me he was putting a band together. I said, randomly, because a few people had told me I had a good voice, 'Do you need a singer?' He asked, 'Are you one?' I just lied and said 'yes.' I was in the band and got offered a deal, but I stayed with the band because they didn't offer the band a deal and I was loyal. Then I ended up in London and got offered another record deal and by that point I was like, 'Okay, people just kept giving me money to sing.'

What was the song you sang at karaoke?

“Lean On Me” by Bill Withers. I guess I realized I enjoyed the act of singing. Over the course of the last 12 years, I realized I didn’t enjoy everything else that comes with it, which is why you’re like one of four interviews I’m doing.

You’ve worked with some amazing people over the years. Was there a song that you'd wish you kept for yourself?

No, not really.

Is there anyone you would love to collaborate with?

I don’t really care. There’s no one left. [Laughs] I guess it would be fun to do something with Stevie Wonder or David Bowie. I wouldn’t mind writing a song with Sting, like a really good ballad. It turns out I do care, I just didn’t know until you asked me.

What has been your proudest moment so far?

Meeting Letterman. He’s kind of like a fake dad.

What’s on your bucket list? What’s left?

I want see the pyramids, obviously now’s not a great time. I’d like to go to Hawaii. I’d like to take pottery classes. I want to see the spaying and neutering laws better enforced. I want to see the end of pets being crated in crates that they cant even turn around in. A lot of animal stuff. That’s not really a bucket list, sorry, I digress.

First thing on your mind when you wake up?

My dog.

Finish this sentence. “I can’t go to bed unless I’ve…”

Watched an enormous amount of television.

What’s your favorite show?

I really like Homeland. I also loved the Lindsay [Lohan] documentary.

Do you have a celebrity crush?

Not really. Is that weird? The people I find the most attractive are probably James Franco and Bradley Cooper. I find them interesting as opposed to having a crush.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

I don’t feel guilty about it, but I do really like these Australian chocolates called Tim Tam Truffles.

Worst personality trait?

I’m critical.

Do you have a hidden talent?

I can put a short pencil in my belly button and write the alphabet and I can practically hold a dozen eggs on the top of my hands.

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