Since her debut single release in May 2021, ‘I Didn’t Realise’, Melbourne, Australia singer-songwriter, Karen Harding has been on a journey of musical and personal exploration, determined to see what is truly possible in music and creativity. Karen Harding has recently collaborated with Argentinian P&M Records, the Cologne Chamber Orchestra, Canadian producer, Landao, Melbourne Hip Hop artist, Serif, and a stunning inspirational project with Misia Julia, as well as winning the 2021 Bendigo Bank sponsored Radio Eastern songwriter talent show and being nominated as top 10 winner for the World Songwriting Awards, and a nominee for Best International Artist on Crags Radio Independent Artist Awards in February 2022.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Karen Harding, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What drew you to the music industry?
Thank you.. It’s so great to be here!
I don’t think there was ever a time where I have really been drawn to the music industry itself.. for me, I have always been drawn to creativity and exploring what is truly possible within myself.
I feel that this distinction has been so beneficial for me, because I’m not competing with anyone except myself, which changes the whole game.
I grew up surrounded with the sounds of great music and great artists and was always drawn to the sound of great vocals. At 6 years old I began to learn the piano, and then taking up vocal lessons at 14 years old. From there, I would write songs and perform around Melbourne, Australia.
I never really saw myself doing music in a professional landscape until Covid began. It was during this time that I set up a platform called Sounds On The Couch as a way for artists to continue to perform online, when they were unable to perform at live venues. It was through the artists and the industry professionals that I was regularly speaking to, that I began to consider what would be possible in sharing my music.
How do you balance your time in the studio with other commitments such as a part-time job, family, admin?
This is a great question.. I am notorious for taking too much on!
I am the type of person who always wants to explore every avenue and have a finger in every pie.. it makes life incredibly interesting but can be challenging with time and energy.
I work a full time job as a manager within an accounting firm, I run a boutique music PR agency, my platform Sounds On The Couch, I create art and I create music.. It is a lot, but there are no aspects of that that I would give up at this time.
The biggest benefit for me in running a lot of these things is that I don’t have a partner or children, which means that I am completely free to plan my time around me.
For me, balance has been about allowing myself to understand that it’s not a race.. it’s about creating.. I love what I am creating, so I have no trouble focusing my time on doing those things.
Your latest song is 'It's Okay'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
‘It’s Okay’ was such a great project to work on.. it’s the dual single release, including ‘It’s Okay’ and ‘Greener On The Other Side’ (Feat. The Cologne Chamber Orchestra), and was the second half of a project that I was working on with an incredible production family in Argentina, P&M Records.
This project began when Vicky from P&M Records had contacted me on Instagram. The process was so interesting in so many ways.. The writing style was so different to the way I had written in the past.. I loved the infusion of the central American feel throughout the music, and I was working with producers that were completely on the other side of the world to me, having 7am zoom calls and sharing files across the internet. It’s amazing how closely connected you can feel to people that are on the other side of the world and living in a completely different culture. Beyond this, working with such a world class orchestra was an absolute dream and honour. I am so grateful for the opportunity.
What are your songs about?
‘It’s Okay’ tells a story of self-frustration.. of believing that you should be somewhere, someone or somehow different than where you are.. and then allowing yourself to drop it and let go in compassion for yourself, letting yourself know that it is truly ok for things to be exactly as they are.
‘Greener On The Other Side’ was written when considering some big changes. It highlights the fears that come up with the change and questions whether what you imagine on the other side of change is truly the reality of how it is. Is the grass really greener on the other side?
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
I would definitely be doing something (or a number of things!) that are creative.. whether it be focusing on my art, writing, finding inspiration out in the world.
How do you know when a work is finished?
I’m not sure that an artist ever feels that the work is finished! There is always something you could add or change.
I try really hard to not get hung up on overworking, or I would never stop and you would never hear my music, but I think that you have a general feeling that you are happy with the product and that’s when I feel it’s ready to share.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
I do.. I love to paint and to create art.. I have recently set up an Etsy shop to share my art with the world, which you can find at https://kazhardingart.etsy.com/.
Beyond that, I have a Beaglier dog called Mojo and I am a little obsessed.. I love to take her out to the beach and on roadtrips and she pretty much goes where I go. I also love yoga and taking myself out on adventures into nature.
When were you generally fulfilled in your position as an artist?
I think I have always been fulfilled as an artist.. I am happiest when I am playing and making music, and the idea that people connect with this is just mind blowing to me.
There are constantly moments that I find so exciting, like when I have won awards or been featured with particular media outlets, or when I’ve been asked to be a part of a collaboration or event.. there is always so much more that you can do or achieve, but in terms of fulfillment, I feel like as long as I am creating, I will always feel fulfilled, whether these things happen or not.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
My advice would be not to think any further or let fears or perfection creep in.. Just go for it. You will learn as you go, and you will develop, but you will never know what’s possible if you don’t try.
Thank you so much for taking the time to come along the journey with me.
What are your plans for the future?
I am really looking forward to discovering what the future holds.
I have plans to introduce something new when 2023 moves around, a kind of metamorphosis.
I have been working with a number of different collaborations that have ranged through styles of IDM, House and Hip Hop. These collaborations have really stretched me in new ways and I'm looking forward to incorporating some of what I have learnt within my music and to bring some new energy.