Interview with Karen Harding.
Interviewed by: Laury Verdoux
Hi Karen it’s a pleasure to speak with you! Can you introduce yourself to those who don’t know you yet?
It’s an absolute pleasure to speak with you too!
I am a folky singer-songwriter out of Melbourne, Australia.. I love to create music as a reflection of the inner workings of human emotion and experience.
If you like the sounds of artists like Eva Cassidy, Sarah McLachlan, Gabrielle Aplin or Ella Henderson, you may just enjoy the music that I create
How long have you been in the music industry?
I actually have not been in the music industry for that long.. I have always had a passion for music and always liked to play, sing and write, however, it wasn’t until Melbourne lockdowns in 2020, when I began to share my music with the world.
I had started a music platform by the name of Sounds On The Couch, as a way to help artists during a tough time.. it was through this platform that I began to have so many discussions with artists and music industry experts, that I began to see that sharing my music was a possibility.
When I released my first single ‘I Didn’t Realise’, I was blown away by how it connected with people in all different corners of the world. I had never expected such a great response.
Since that time.. I have grown so much as a person and an artist and I am so grateful for the direction that my journey is taking.
Lately, you have been releasing a track every month to tease your EP I’ve Got A Secret. The third single ‘Drive Away’ was out on September, 9th. How does it feel to be closer to the EP release?
I have been! It is so amazing to be close to the release of my EP..
So far, the tracks are receiving a great response from listeners..
I’ve Got A Secret EP was a long time in the making.. I wrote these songs during the early lockdowns in Melbourne and because of continual lockdowns and different challenges, they took a long time to come into a final produced product. The benefit of this was that over time, the songs developed and the final result was so different to how they were initially presented.
Initially, the songs were written as my own way of processing the emotions that I was feeling.. The singles are incredibly personal and touch on some big emotions and while they are really personal, the feelings felt are universal.. there is a familiarity to my experience that rings out with so many others, which is why I feel that there is so much power in sharing the tracks.
Can you tell us about ‘Drive Away’ and the story behind the song?
‘Drive Away’, again was written during lockdowns.. I was living on my own at the time and hadn’t seen anyone in person for a while..
The track was written as a way of expressing how much I desired to just leave everything behind and get out of there.. or just ‘drive away’.
While the song is written as a result of lockdowns, the sentiment can be felt in so many more experiences.. When we are unhappy with an area of our lives, there can often be such a strong desire to escape it and get out of there.. Our brains are wired to want to escape a difficult situation, rather than to face it head on.
When I wrote the song, I was sitting in my loungeroom, with my guitar looking out the window, and this song just came out.. it was like it was just pouring out of me.
What’s your favorite track from the EP and why?
This is a really tough question!
For the final sound, I love the title track ‘I’ve Got A Secret’.. the production of this track has brought out an almost ‘Vikings’ style vibe and I love the unique feel.
With the connection to the song, I would say, my final unreleased track, ‘Letter To My Friend’.. this song was written during a time when I was feeling a lot of heartache around a number of people sharing bad news.. this song was the result of my processing and it still makes me cry when I listen to it.
Since your first single back in May 2021, you’ve been awarded ‘Independent Songwriter Talent Show’ on Radio Eastern FM in Melbourne and you are the Top 10 winner for the World Songwriting Awards. What’s next? What are you aiming for?
It has been such an honour to receive these awards, and they are a great recognition for the music that I’m creating.
For me, music is an exploration and an expression.. It is always great to receive awards and recognition, however, I’m not actively striving to receive greater awards.
I love to see what’s possible and to stretch myself as far as I can, to see what I can do.. I truly look forward to seeing what happens over the next months and years, but I have a very open mind.
The end of 2022 is around the corner, what can we wish you for the few months left?
That’s a scary thought! I can’t believe we are nearly at the end of 2022.. I feel like it just began
There is still a lot to come for my music in the next few months.. My EP will be out at the beginning of October.
After that, I have a couple of songs that I have been working on with an incredible family in Argentina. One is ready to go and another is nearly finished. I am so excited about this project because it’s been so amazing working with this family and incorporating their Argentinian influences. The second track is also incorporating an amazing world class orchestra.
I have also featured on a song from an amazing Canadian IDM artist, for his album that is set to be released over the coming months.
Thank you so much for having me.