Dialing in all the way from the USA, Stacie Orrico called the puffta office for a quick chat about her new album 'Beautiful Awakening' out on the 28th of August, onions, popcorn and sea food cook offs!

You’ve taken time out in Malibu… What’s your perfect summer vacation?

I’ve just got back from vacation! I’m from Seattle and love the West Coast where the beaches are colder; you have to wear a big sweater rather than a swim suit. I have to go with close family or my best friends. We just got back from being on a boat, fishing, and throwing out crab pots to have big sea food cook outs. We goto this island where they have blackberries growing and I love making blackberry cobbler. Perfect!

If you could only take four things with you, what would they be?

Hmmm, it would have to be my iPod, kinda lame, but everybody has one. My books are really important too, I’m always reading. I have a few books on the go at the moment. One is ‘Devil in the White City’ by Erik Larson, it’s about Chicago and the first Worlds Fair, it sounds boring but it’s about murder and darkness. Another is the ‘Secret Life of Bees’ by Sue Monk Kidd and is set in Southern America in 1964 the year of the Civil Rights Act, it’s a coming of age story. Hmmm, what about the other two things. Definitely my Coco Butter lotion and popcorn. I can’t go anywhere without having popcorn in my suitcase or purse. You can always find a microwave to cook popcorn!

We hear you were working in a fish and chip shop? Is that true?

That’s funny! Yes I did, I’m not anymore. I loved it, serving the regulars everyday, nobody recognised me as most of the customers were older. I had such a good time with my friend. A lot of people think “Oh Stacie’s just doing it to get back down to earth”, but I wanted to interact with people and have a normal life.

Did you get greasy skin from the chips? How do you get rid of spots?

I got a little greasy, but they didn’t just serve fish and chips, and I didn’t have to cook them, just serve them up. If I get a big spot I use toothpaste to clear it up, it really does work! If I have a bigger break out I use Proactiv cleanser, I use the medicine part a bit too much I think, but it gets rid of outbreaks.

Tell us about Beautiful Awakening, what can we expect?

The lyrical content has stayed the same, the depth and the vulnerability is consistent with my last album. It’s the style that’s changed, it’s not as poppy and not so perfect, it has more of an organic natural sound. I think it’s more of an honest piece of work. The last album I was so worried about getting every vocal perfect, but this time I’ve been able to relax and make music. This album reflects how I’m feeling now.

If we stole you iPod what would we be listening to?

My iPod has so much on it. Soul, R&B… all sorts! If you were chatting to my friends they’d say all I listen to is Soul and R&B. That’s not true, though it’s a big part. I’m also listening to a lot of English music right now including Corraine Bailey Rae, Amy Winehouse, mixed in with music from all over the world, Maxwell, Lauren Hill.

One last question… What’s the deal with you and Onions, we heard you don’t like them? Not even on hot dogs!!!

How do you know this stuff! OK – my dad says that since I was in a high chair I’ve never liked onions. They’d chop them up, put them in my food and I’d spit them out. Still to this day, I hate onions. Although, the other day I felt like ordering French Onion Soup, my mom was surprised as I’ve never even had it before, and I loved it! Though the smell of onions stays in your mouth even after you’ve brushed your teeth. Yuck! Maybe if I really start to like them I’ll add them to my popcorn I keep in my purse

We've got copies of Stacie's new album Beautiful Awakening to give away. All you have to do is send us an email to winit@puffta.co.uk with your name, address, age and mobile number. We'll enter you into the draw and winners will be drawn on the 28th of August.

Beautiful Awakening - 28.08.08 1. So Simple 2. I'm Not Missing You 3. Dream You 4. Easy To Luv You 5. Save Me 6. Take Me Away 7. Baby Girl 8. Wait 9. Is It Me 10. Don't Ask Me To Stay 11. I Can't Give It Up 12. Beautiful Awakening