Interview with Singer/Songwriter Karen Harding
Q: Please introduce yourself to the readers and how you first got into this field of work –and who were some of your influences growing up?
I am a singer/songwriter from Melbourne, Australia. It’s an interesting story to me because I never saw going into music as being ‘work’. it happened very organically, as an exploration of my creativity. Growing up, music was always this magical place that I could disappear into. like a world of possibility. I always wrote little tunes and sang everywhere I went. I was inspired by story-telling artists like Tracey Chapman, Leonard Cohen, Sarah McLachlan, and Eva Cassidy.
Despite my love of music, I never even thought of the possibility of making it a career.. it just never crossed my mind. I was a very introverted, shy girl and the idea of being public didn’t seem possible for me. It wasn’t until Covid started, when I had begun talking to artists through a musicians platform I created called Sounds On The Couch, that I realized what was possible and that’s when I began to share my music with the world.
Q: What kind of training have you had, if any?
I began piano lessons at the age of 6 and went through all my classical music exams and theory exams. I also started singing lessons at the age of 14 and continue to love my lessons to this day.
Q: What has been your favourite project to work on so far?
You know what?.. this is a really challenging question.. because every project that I work on is exciting and leads to so many new things opening up.
Right now I am working on a collaboration with an IDM producer on the other side of the world and that is just so much fun because it’s so different from anything else I have done.
Creating ‘Something Special’ was exciting because it was the first track I produced 100% by myself and I pulled it together in a day. I’m also working on my EP right now with my producer, Joshua Hennessy and I love every moment of exploring possibilities with him.
Q: Do you have any advice for young music makers like yourself?
Absolutely.. just explore.. follow your curiosity.. keep your eyes and ears open.. everything you do leads to something new and if you stay open to it, you’ll be amazed at what will happen!
Q: What sports do you enjoy watching?
I am probably the least sporty person on the planet haha... I do like watching my AFL team when they are doing well... Melbourne Demons.. it is a rarity but they won last year!! 😊
Q: What has been one of the biggest highlights/achievements of your career?
There are so many highlights but ultimately, my biggest love has been the people that I’ve connected with through the process.
I have gotten to know amazing people.. other artists, producers, media curators, radio personalities, amazing fans from all over the world. I am really grateful.
Q: If you had a chance to work alongside anybody who would that be?
There are so many people that I would love to work alongside.. you can learn so much from anyone you work with.
I love working with people from completely new and different genres and perspectives. I’d love to write a song with artists like Gabrielle Aplin, Delta or Sara Bareilles, or something completely different like Gotye or Rita Ora.
Q: What projects do you have coming up?
I have so much to come 😊. I am currently working on the production of my upcoming debut EP with my producer, Joshua Hennessy, which I am so excited about. It’s a 4 track EP that’s acoustically based with me and my guitar.
I am also working on a collaboration with an amazing IDM producer.
Q: Who is your inspiration?
I’ve always been so inspired by artists like Tracey Chapman, Leonard Cohen, Sarah McLachlan, and Eva Cassidy.
I’m also very inspired, every day by people that get out there and experiment and try things.
Q: What are your favorite venues to perform in?
With covid, I haven’t been performing.. I’ve been focusing on creating and connecting. I feel like every venue brings its own charm.. whether it's small, close and intimate, or a larger venue.
Q: Social Profiles:
https://www.karenhardingmusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/karenhardingmusic
