A Guide Through Doubts: “Stranger On A Pedestal” by Karen Harding

A Guide Through Doubts: “Stranger On A Pedestal” by Karen Harding

“Stranger On A Pedestal” by Karen Harding

Karen Harding, a singer-songwriter from Melbourne, Australia, gracefully stepped onto the music scene in 2021. Since then, her songs serve as mirrors, reflecting our deepest longings, vulnerabilities, and human connections. When we immerse ourselves in her melodies, we find echoes of our own minds, aching for love and self-discovery.

Karen Harding

Karen’s lyrics, akin to forgotten diary entries, whisper tales of lost loves, broken promises, and dreams left unfinished. Her voice, strong yet delicate and fragile like a morning dewdrop, carries the scars of our lives.

The story of “Stranger On A Pedestal,” much like an exquisite porcelain creation, captivates us from a distance. Its flawless surface, bathed in alternating light and shadow, evokes our admiration. But as we draw nearer, we discern the fine cracks, the imperfections that make it undeniably human. The unattainable figure, once elevated, becomes vulnerable, their beauty found in fragility.

Together with Gabb Matos’ breathtaking acoustic guitar work, Karen Harding creates a bittersweet moment of realization in her latest release. When we listen to “Stranger On A Pedestal,” we drift upon an ocean of melodies, and the music becomes our lifebuoy, pulling us out of loneliness, guiding us through doubts, fears, and hopes.

Karen’s new release points the way, whispering answers to our innermost questions. In those 3 minutes, we live beyond time and experience a poignant musical journey that momentarily lifts us beyond the ordinary.

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NENESBUTLER - INDIE MUSIC BLOG

#listenNOW! Winter Gardens - "ANTHROPOCENE"

"ANTHROPOCENE" is a critical reflection on human values and priorities. WINTER GARDENS challenges us to think about the long-term consequences of our actions and to recognize the true meaning and cost of our current lifestyle. The challenge is to find ways in which we, as a society, can act more sustainably and responsibly to protect both the environment and the well-being of all living beings. Musically, they hang over the landscape like a mist, creating a fantastic backdrop with shoegaze meets post-punk that characterizes the song. (The image presented here is courtesy of the artist.)

#ListenNOW! "Das Schöne bewahrt" by Nathalie Weider, Christian Loebenstein

In their song "Das Schöne bewahrt", Nathalie Weider and Christian Loebenstein explore the uncertain nature of farewells. The indecision as to whether the farewell is temporary or permanent is deliberately left open and refers to the ambivalent reality of human relationships. The bittersweet melody and the alternation between chanson and pop song emphasize the duality of feelings: preserving the beauty of the past while the uncertainty of the future persists. It is the emotional tension between letting go and holding on that gives the duet its narrative and musical depth.

#outNOW "Crying Sun" by T!ANA

In the piece "Crying Sun," T!ANA thematizes the inner conflict of a lost soul trapped in its struggle for healing. The coldness of the outside world stands in tense contrast to the burning desire for liberation. By describing the confrontation with one's own demons and the subsequent detachment from them, "Crying Sun" illustrates the process of healing. The atmospheric alternative electro sound creates the right setting, with T!ANA occasionally appearing on the surface, but mostly slumbering deep underground. The vocals march succinctly with the rhythm that hammers relentlessly, without mercy and without remorse. "Crying Sun" by T!ANA will delight many ears.

#outNOW! 'Moonlight Slide (ft. Mia G)' by ARPRAXIS

ARPRAXIS brings Mia G on board and slides towards the 90s, stopping there to embrace everything that made a great house track back then. The result - an elegant percussion line meets the piano, which is subordinate to the drums and contributes significantly to the rhythm. The vocals are the icing on the cake and complete the track, along with many small but great gimmicks typical of the era. This track inspires and grooves incredibly. Add 'Moonlight Slide (ft. Mia G)' by ARPRAXIS to your playlist!

#listenNOW! "Wenn die Stare tanzen" von A. Herrmann

"Wenn die Stare tanzen", ein weiteres wunderbares Lied von A. HerrMann, dreht sich bei uns auf dem Plattenteller und erzählt von großartigen und faszinierenden Momenten, die wie von Geisterhand gesteuert zu sein scheinen. Momente, die oft flüchtig sind, sich ständig verändern und uns sprachlos und staunend zurücklassen. Das Leben ist voller grandioser und kraftvoller Momente, die uns immer wieder in ihren Bann ziehen und faszinieren, wie eben der Tanz der Stare am Himmel. Musikalisch erinnert mich das Lied von A. HerrMann irgendwie an ein französisches Chanson, das eine Brise "Ostsee" eingeatmet hat und vom Leben im Hafen in einer Seemannskneipe erzählt.