Sia

Sia Kate Isobelle Furler, known mononymously as Sia, was born on December 18, 1975, in Adelaide, South Australia. Raised in a creative environment—her father was a musician and her mother an art lecturer—Sia developed an early passion for music, drawing inspiration from Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Sting. She attended Adelaide High School before embarking on her music career. In the mid-1990s, Sia began her professional journey as a singer with the acid jazz band Crisp, contributing vocals to their album “Word and the Deal” and EP “Delirium” before the band disbanded in 1997.

Following Crisp’s dissolution, Sia released her debut solo album, “OnlySee,” in Australia. The album sold modestly and was produced by Jesse Flavell. Seeking broader horizons, Sia moved to London where she joined the British band Zero 7 as a vocalist, contributing to their albums “Simple Things” and “When It Falls.” Her time with Zero 7 helped her gain exposure, though her solo career faced challenges. Her second album, “Healing Is Difficult,” released in 2001, blended retro jazz and soul but struggled with promotion. This led Sia to part ways with her manager and sign with Go! Beat.

In 2004, Sia released “Colour the Small One,” which featured a mix of acoustic and electronic elements. The album’s single “Breathe Me” gained notable attention, especially after being featured in the final episode of the TV series “Six Feet Under.” Despite this, Sia remained dissatisfied with the album’s commercial impact and relocated to New York City in 2005 to revitalize her career.

Sia’s move to New York marked a new chapter. Her fourth studio album, “Some People Have Real Problems” (2008), and its follow-up, “We Are Born” (2010), both received gold certifications from the Australian Recording Industry Association. These albums saw Sia gaining further recognition, and she began to attract international notice. However, her rising fame led to personal struggles. To manage her public presence and personal privacy, Sia chose to step back from performing, focusing instead on songwriting.

During this hiatus, Sia penned hits for other artists, including “Titanium” for David Guetta, “Diamonds” for Rihanna, and “Wild Ones” for Flo Rida. She also contributed to Beyoncé’s “Pretty Hurts.” Her songwriting prowess solidified her reputation as a leading behind-the-scenes artist in the music industry.

Sia’s comeback as a solo artist was marked by her sixth studio album, “1000 Forms of Fear” (2014). The album debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200, largely due to the success of its lead single, “Chandelier,” which became a major hit. The album’s innovative music videos, featuring dancer Maddie Ziegler, further established Sia’s unique artistic identity. Despite her success, Sia continued to use her distinctive style of obscuring her face with wigs to maintain privacy.

In 2016, Sia released “This Is Acting,” which included the chart-topping single “Cheap Thrills.” She continued to innovate with her music videos and performances, integrating dance and performance art. Her 2017 holiday album “Everyday Is Christmas” and the formation of the supergroup LSD with Labrinth and Diplo in 2019 further showcased her versatility.

Sia’s feature film directorial debut, “Music,” was released in 2021, accompanied by an album of the same name. Her tenth studio album, “Reasonable Woman,” was released in May 2024. Throughout her career, Sia has been a vocal advocate for animal rights and has received numerous accolades, including ARIA Awards and Grammy nominations, solidifying her influential presence in the music industry.