BREAKING THROUGH—Singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat, 26, is a Conejo Valley native. The Grammy winner will perform Tues., Feb. 14 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Photo courtesy of Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Laid back. Down to earth. Genuine. These words come to mind when describing singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat.

Her authenticity, in addition to her soothing vocals and feel-good tunes, has endeared the 26-year-old Conejo Valley native to fans around the globe.

So it’s no surprise Caillat is thrilled to perform in the city she calls home.

On Valentine’s Day, the Grammy winner will celebrate her hometown debut, playing at the Fred Kavli Theatre in the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

“I’m so excited. I’ve always wanted to perform at the Civic Arts Plaza,” Caillat told the Acorn. “I was raised in Thousand Oaks since I was 5 and I still live here, and it’s going to be fun. Every single one of my friends and family and people that I’ve ever worked with or know from going to the store . . . they’re all coming, and I’m excited to finally be able to play locally.”

‘BUBBLY’—Colbie Caillat, whose song “Bubbly” was a No. 1 Top 40 hit, is touring to promote her third album, “All of You.” Caillat says as she falls in love with different genres of music she hopes to incorporate them into her own songs. Fitting with her easy-going vibe, Caillat, who made her mark on the music scene in 2007 with the release of her first album, “Coco,” is keeping this concert simple.

“This show I’m going to do a little differently than my last tours. I’m doing it more acoustic,” she said. “Just me and three other people on stage, very stripped down. I love that acoustic feel, so I’m excited to share that with everyone.”

California girl

Caillat was born in Malibu and spent her formative years in T.O., attending Acacia Elementary School and Redwood Middle School. She went to Thousand Oaks High School as a freshman and sophomore and was home-schooled after that. She says all her friends graduated from TOHS in 2003.

In 2006, upon the advice of those friends, Caillat began uploading her songs to MySpace— though her love affair with music had begun long before.

“Singing is something that I’ve done since I was 11. It was just my favorite thing to do. I’d wake up in the morning and I’d just start singing at the top of my lungs, and I’d mimic every little lick that Lauryn Hill did with the Fugees and then when her record came out,” said Caillat, who sang one of Hill’s songs at a talent show in sixth grade.

Caillat grew up around music—her father, Ken, co-produced Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” and “Tusk” albums—and said her Southern California upbringing has “ absolutely” influenced her own song writing.

“Being in this beautiful, sunny weather all the time, my parents raising me on classic rock and reggae . . . it just puts you in a good mood kind of vibe,” she said. “So I think that’s what I fall in love with with music, so that’s what I wanted to re-create when I wrote my own songs.”

Pop star

Caillat describes her music as “optimistic,” an approach that’s taken her far since her days as an unsigned singer on MySpace.

“Coco” debuted at No. 5 on Billboard’s Top 200 albums chart in July 2007 and remained in the top 20 six months after the CD’s release. The first single off that album, “Bubbly”—a catchy track chronicling the giddy feelings of young love—spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Top 40 chart and was certified platinum.

A year later, Caillat recorded “Lucky,” a duet with Jason Mraz, for which the pair won a Grammy. She followed that up in August 2009 with her sophomore effort, “Breakthrough,” which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album.

The guitar-strumming songstress is now on tour promoting her third album, “All of You,” released in July last year.

Caillat said her new record is similar to her past releases in that it has a positive outlook and an acoustic feel. But shes grown as an artist, and “All of You” reflects that progression while still staying true to her roots.

“Through the years I’ve started writing with new people and working with new producers, and my style has evolved a little bit . . . where I’ve fallen in love with other kinds of music genres,” she said. “I want a little bit of pop in it, I want the reggae, I want a little bit of folk in it. With this record I wanted a little hip-hop with Common. I think that’s how it’s changed over the years—I keep adding new styles to it. But this record is definitely more up-tempo than the last two.”

There’s no better example than the first single, “Brighter Than the Sun.” But, as Caillat says, that radio hit almost didn’t make the album.

“‘Brighter Than the Sun’ was one that, to be honest, when I wrote it with Ryan (Tedder) I loved it. I just wasn’t sure if it was for me to put on my record,” she said. “Everyone talked me into it, and once we recorded it I was so glad I listened.”

Another favorite off “All of You” is a song called “Like Yesterday” that she wrote with her band mate and boyfriend Justin Young.

“It was fun to write a song about our relationship and write it together and just, you know, (relive) all the moments of falling in love,” she said. “It was cool to reminisce and put it into a song.”

Love songs

Caillat’s romance with her guitarist, which began while touring for “Breakthrough” in 2009, inspired much of the new album and makes perfect musical fare for a Valentine’s Day concert.

Young will open the Feb. 14 show and Caillat’s set will feature songs from all three of her records as well as a couple of cover tunes.

Despite the success she’s experienced in the past five years—she’s sold more than 6 million albums worldwide and 10 million singles—Caillat hasn’t gotten swept up in the Hollywood hoopla like other young stars.

She credits her family, friends and, yes, her hometown for keeping her grounded.

“I’m a homebody. . . . All my friends still live here and my family, and they’re my favorite (people) to hang out with.

“I hang out with my sister every day and . . . my three best friends from (elementary school),” Caillat said. “And we do outdoor stuff, like we go hiking, bike ride; we like to go swimming, and we go to the beach all the time, so I think that’s more of the lifestyle that I grew up with that I love.”