Born in 1991 to an English father and Filipino mother. Harding grew up in Consett and attended Moorside Community Technology College.
Did you know as a child that music was something you wanted to do?
100%! As soon as my parents bought me a karaoke machine the microphone was attached to my hand!
When did you discover you had a such an voice?
I never really used to think I had a good voice I just loved to get up to sing and dance whenever I had the chance! When I was younger we used to go to a lot of my mem's friend's houses' and they would have the magic karaoke on and I'd always get up!
She was a contestant on XFactor in 2010.
Being on XFactor, how was the experience?
Feels like it was a lifetime ago now! It was a good confidence building experience, I learned that you should always be yourself and do what makes you feel comfortable. It was so amazing to meet so many other artists though, everyone was in the same boat, extremely nervous [Laughs]
What is your advice to future contestants?
If you feel like it's the right path for you, go ahead but there are other ways to make music and get it out there too.
Why did you choose to place covers on YouTube?
When I started singing professionally at the age of 16, I used to watch a lot of people put covers up on YouTube and I was always a bit scared to but once I did it was exciting to see what people said!
What made you choose to cover Disclosure's "Latch”?
I love Disclosure a lot! I remember listening to them for the first time in my back garden and just thinking, this is amazing. So I chose 'Latch' because I loved the lyric and melody and wanted to put my own little spin on it.
How was the experience of working with MNEK and before he found you, did you listen to his music?
I hadn't heard of him when he contacted me! I was like, well I don't really know you but the studio sounds good! Then.. I looked at his Wikipedia [Laughs]
What was the best advice he gave you (if any) about the music industry?
MNEK is such a hoot! Every time we get together he's always so positive and I love the way he music is so different to anything else.
Karen released her MNEK producued debut single 'Say Something' in January 2015 and it peaked at number 7 on the UK singles Chart. It spent 26 weeks on the Official charts and achieved Gold status. The music video has now 15 million views on YouTube.
How did you know ‘Say Something’ was it and what’s the story behind it?
I didn't at the time, I mean I really loved it but thought, how is anyone gonna hear this!? MNEK almost had to cancel on me because he was so swamped in sessions but I couldn't turn back on the train from Newcastle so he said 'okay, let's do 2 hours!'. I was a bit all over the place and wrote down 'Say Something' and he asked me if I had anything over the beat he'd made and I said 'Oh I only got Say something'.. he was like 'Oh how about...?' and that was it! crazy how fast it came together!
‘Say Something’ hit Gold Status and now has 15 Million views. How did you find out and celebrate?
Oh, when I got the plaque saying it was Gold, it was such an amazing feeling. I think I had a gig the night I found out so just had a little boogie there afterwards.
You’re cited that 1990’s house music is an influence. What about that era did you fall in love with?
I loved the big vocals! There's so many songs that just make you wanna put your hands up in the air!
You previously performed at numerous festivals. How was that experience?
The festivals are definitely up there on my list of favorite gigs! It's so nice to see so many people gather in front of the stage to just enjoy your music, even if they've never heard it before. My first festival was main stage Parklife and that was emotional!! My parents were there and when I came out the crowd went mental, absolutely loved it. Can't wait to do more with my band!