Words by Art Jefferson
Photography by Kris Humphreys and courtesy of Karen Harding
Karen Harding is a true powerhouse artist. With a voice that rings with soul, she is also a music industry go-to for her phenomenal songwriting ability. With a CV that boasts working with the likes of Example, Giorgio Moroder, Le Youth, Wilkinson, Purple Disco Machine and more, her 2015 debut track ‘Say Something’ shot straight up the UK Singles Chart, earning Platinum status. Karen Harding’s imprint was firmly planted, with her vocals blessing some of the hottest club tracks of the past few years.
Hailing from the northern city of Consett, the UK got a taste of Karen Harding’s ability during her stint on X-Factor. However, Harding proved that she was well deserving of the spotlight when she dropped her smash debut ‘Say Something’, written by herself and MNEK. A certified success, the track not only established Karen Harding as a major force in club music, but pop itself. She would then go on to drop massive cuts such as ‘Open My Eyes’, ‘Like I Can’ and ‘Picture’, just to name a few. The starlet also found herself featuring on Blonde’s ‘Feel Good (It’s Alright)’, Giorgio Moroder’s ‘Good for Me’, the ImanoS song ‘Gun Shy’ featuring Pusha T, Tom Zanetti’s ‘More & More’, and Le Youth’s ‘Stay’, among others.
Having recently signed a deal to Ultra Records, Karen Harding is back, better than ever with a new single titled ‘I Don’t Need Love’ with UK duo Wh0. A massive club anthem, the song yet again solidifies Karen Harding as a modern queen of the club and house scene, with her throne far from being relinquished.
Everyone knows that as a singer you’re skills are are incredible, but as a songwriter, you are equally as amazing. I would imagine that you have always been a gifted writer from childhood, but around what age did you pen your first song and when did you know that music was going to be your professional calling?
Karen Harding – Thank you! I used run home from school to sing for hours until dinner was ready but started playing piano (badly I might add!) around 13 years old. I remember playing a song to my mam through the hatch into our kitchen and she was like ‘Oh, that’s a nice one Karen’. Maybe it was that moment that spurred me on to put my own melody and lyric together.
Whilst you have expressed your love for artists such as Whitney Houston, where did your love of house and UK garage stem from? Do you remember what house tracks made you want to venture into that musical direction?
Karen Harding – Some of the first albums I got to choose from Woolworths with my mam were Madison Avenue and Craig David. I remember blasting those tunes out on a tiny little speaker in the house and dancing around to them with my mam and brother. I think it might have been these two albums that got me into upbeat dance music mixed with R&B tones.
Out the gate you knocked out a chart smash with the release of ‘Say Something’. When you were recording the track did you know that it was going to be as big as it was? Also, what was your reaction when it exploded the way it did?
Karen Harding – Well actually, I thought it was going to be too hard to sing so I said to MNEK he should sing it, but he insisted that I sing it. If he hadn’t, well my story would be different! I remember listening to it on the way back from the the session to Newcastle and thinking…this actually…sounds amazing. I was so proud of it. The first time I saw it really explode in front of my eyes was when I did a New Years Eve PA in Tank, Sheffield and I’d been in the studio for the last 6 months so hadn’t really been out too much to hear the song being played. I drove down for the one song and when I got to the chorus…the whole place exploded! They sang it back to me so loud and that’s the reason why you do all the work really, when people sing your song back to you, word for word. It was amazing.
Although you have worked with major artists including MNEK, Blonde, Example and the list continues, I have to ask you, what was it like working with a legend like Giorgio Moroder? In terms of what we know as house and club music, he is among giants like Nile Rodgers who helped to lay the foundation with disco and what we know as the classics.
Karen Harding – When I go into sessions I try not to think too much about what somebody has done, otherwise I think I might put too much pressure on myself to be as good as I can be! Giorgio is such a nice guy and still absolutely in love with music. He actually invited me to Italy for a big festival called San Remo and asked me to perform his classics with an orchestra on live TV, I was so honoured to be asked from such a legend.
Your latest single ‘I Don’t Need Love’ is a collaboration with Wh0. How did that collab come about?
Karen Harding – Well, Wh0 sent me the instrumental and I was feeling it straight away for melodies and lyrics so I invited my friend Camden Cox along to help me out with it. I knew as soon as I heard the instrumental we were going to get something good and Camden felt the same way. All of us wanted something feel good and upbeat and we came up with ‘I Don’t Need Love’. When it drops…I lose my mind every time!
The song is definitely a club anthem. You sing of feeling like you’re right where you belong – just you, the music and the dance floor. With that being said, what was one of the most memorable club moments for you personally and where was it?
Karen Harding – Ah I’ve had so many amazing club moments. I love Ibiza and one of my highlights was the first time I went, about 8 years ago, and we went to Pacha to catch Paul Oakenfold and Danny Howard. Safe to say it blew my mind with all the lasers haha! I just remember being totally lost in the moment with my hands in the air, it’s so amazing to hear my own music in a club too and to see people go crazy to it. I love that!
You’ve signed a deal with Ultra Music, which to me seems like a perfect marriage. Is there a possibility of releasing an album on the label?
Karen Harding – Oh absolutely, we have got some amazing material in the pipework. There’s some even more good stuff coming!
Finally, considering that you have worked with so many big artists, producers, etc., who would you still love to do a record with?
Karen Harding – I love Calvin Harris, I love how upbeat his music in and how it just gets you moving. Mark Ronson is also pretty special, those productions are next level.
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