When singer and songwriter Sara Bareilles released her third set, "Kaleidoscope Heart"– her second for Epic Records – in September, it debuted in the top slot of Billboard's Top 200 albums chart.

Bareilles, now 31, had hit the big time.

The Cali gal has been on the road with lots of acts in recent years, but this summer she's hit the bricks with country's Sugarland and the 33-date tour closes out Summerfest at the Marcus Amphitheater on Sunday, July 10.

We asked Bareilles about her career, how the tour is going, what she thinks of Milwaukee and more...

OnMilwaukee.com: Have you been to Milwaukee before? If so, what's your experience been like, both on stage and off? If not, are you expecting a big welcome?

Sara Bareilles: I have a fantastic track record with Milwaukee as a city and a place to play. It's one of my favorites. We have started tours there at the legendary and incredible Pabst Theater, and we've wandered all over the place from there. The people are warm, generous and are real music lovers, and as we explore different neighborhoods I feel like we keep finding amazing new things about Milwaukee. It has a little bit of everything. Not to mention one of my favorite coffee roasters in the world: Alterra.

OMC: How has the reaction been so far on the Sugarland dates? Are the band's country fans open to your less twangy sound?

SB: The reaction has been fantastic. I would classify Sugarland fans not solely as "country music lovers." They are open minded and come to get a great show experience. They seem to be really receptive to my music and my band and I have already had a wonderful time, and we're only two shows in! We have a long way to go and I can't wait for the rest of the tour.

OMC: It's not everyone that can tour with diverse acts like Sugarland and Maroon 5 and perform with Weezer, too. You've managed to really get out and make waves across genres. Why do you think that is?

SB: I'm not exactly sure how I ended up being able to "play" across genres, but I feel so incredibly grateful that it has worked out that way. I think part of it comes from my background of truly listening to a little bit of everything. I have always listened to a wide range of music and I genuinely have a deep seated love for everything from country to rock to Broadway to folk to funk to jazz to hip-hop and pop.

I think sometimes that tendency presents challenges to me as a writer because I feel pulled in so many different directions, but if ultimately it keeps my audience open minded, and they can hear bits of themselves in my music, then we both win.

OMC: It's getting close to a year since "Kaleidoscope Heart" was released, are you working on new music or still too focused on "KH" to do that?

SB: I am working on new music as we speak. I plan on recording an EP in September, produced by Ben Folds. I'm really excited to get to work with one of my heroes, and just see what comes out.

OMC: Will you play the new material at the show here?

SB: We try to mix in a little bit of old with the new. I am playing songs from all three of my past records, and we have worked hard to create a high energy show that gets the audience ready for Sugarland.

OMC: There's no gig scheduled for the day after Summerfest. Do you think you'll have some time to see more of the city or will you spend it all on the bus?

SB: Unfortunately those days off sometimes end up being travel days for us, but I assure you that if we get extra time in Milwaukee, we'll use it up happily. I can't wait to come back.