GET TO KNOW | Quickfire Q&A with Karen Harding
With her long-awaited debut album, 'Take Me Somewhere', finally here discover who inspired her dance music evolution!
Nine years ago, Karen Harding burst onto the scene with ‘Say Something,’ a triple platinum-selling UK Top 10 hit co-written with MNEK. Now her long-awaited debut album Take Me Somewhere is out!
A decade in the making Take Me Somewhere serves as a reflection of the various moods, feelings, and pivotal moments in Karen's life. While primarily a dance album, it offers moments of both intensity and serenity, showcasing her versatility as an artist.
Throughout her career, she has shared the stage and the studio with some of the biggest names in the music industry. As well as, the title track, co-written with MNEK, the album features collaborations with artists like Digital Farm Animals, Armand Van Helden, and Shift K3Y, each adding their unique flavour to the record.
It marks a new chapter in her career, showcasing her growth and solidifying her name in the world of dance music and beyond. Read on to find out about Karen’s Harding early musical influences, her collaborations, and how they've all led to the creation of her highly-anticipated debut album.
Who in your family would you say influenced your music taste the most?
My Parents
“[They both] like music and they both encouraged me. My Mam and Dad used to listen to those big rock and pop power ballads (those are the kinda songs you hear a lot on the videoke machine in the Philippines). I always loved the challenge of singing the hardest song. My dad would get me all of these videoke CDs and I'd be so excited to learn all the new songs.
When it comes to dance music, my brother really got into the Euphoria trance CDs and Hedkandi compilations. I think this was when I was first introduced to house music as I know it now.”
Who was the first artist you remember listening to?
Tina Turner
“My mam had her cassette in the car and it would be on constant repeat. There were also live recordings on some VHS tapes that we would watch, such an inspiration!”
Who was the first artist to inspire you to go into music?
Whitney Huston, Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera , Aretha Franklin
“There's so many! All the GOATs…I always knew I wanted to sing so I guess I applied myself to every opportunity hoping for something to come of it”
Who was the first artist you saw live?
Rock band in a local pub
“I don’t think I went to many gigs when I was younger! I actually can’t remember my first gig, probably some local rock band in a local pub that my dad took me too or a Filipino artist at a Filipino festival.”
What concert stands out to you as the most memorable?
Bruno Mars
“I love performing, it’s definitely my favourite thing about being an artist — some of the crowds I’ve performed to at festivals have been incredible! But, I remember going to see Bruno Mars at the O2 and I was in awe of the show. His vocals, the slickness of it all, it inspired me a lot!”
What was the first festival you went to?
B Festival
“When I was probably 20 — bit late for my first one but the camping and toilet queue in the mornings put me off [laughs]! It was an unreal experience though. I remember watching Sam Smith and saying to my partner, 'next year, I’m gonna be on that stage'!”
If you had to listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Craig David - Born To Do It
“It’s a tough one but I still stand by that it’s a classic filled with a nice mix of genres".”
Who would be your dream collaboration?
Calvin Harris
“I would love to work with [him], I feel like the more I say it, the more chance there is of it happening! I reckon me and Becky Hill should jump on a Disclosure song too!”
Where were you when you first heard 'Say Something' playing after its release?
A Taxi
“I had just announced that it had gone Number 7 in the charts at Radio 1. We were hopping in a taxi afterwards to go find somewhere to celebrate and it came on the radio in the taxi! I was absolutely buzzing.”
Which song off Take Me Somewhere evokes strong emotions for you?'
Wild Wild Water
“They all have their little moments, but ‘Wild Wild Water’ speaks loudly. We wrote and recorded it when I was a bit stuck with what to do next with music, and then I rerecorded it again because I wanted some tweaks made.
The rerecord was when I had just had my second child and was in both an exciting and overwhelming place. I was full of emotion for both times recording and I hope that fans can hear that in the vocal performance.”
Who would you most like to see spinning Take Me Somewhere?
“Would love to hear it in a David Guetta set!”
Buy or Stream Take Me Somewhere now
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