Harriet, the British singer-songwriter who embarked on her first U.S. tour earlier this year, will transport fans back to the 1970s when she performs July 23 at Penn’s Peak, Maury Road, Jim Thorpe.

Attendees, Harriet said, should expect “to feel all that wonderful nostalgia again; whether you lived it before or would love to experience it for the first time.

“We will play all my favorite songs from this era,” she continued, “along with some originals inspired by that music. Anyone who is feeling a bit out of touch and overwhelmed by life can expect to get all those warm, comforting, magical feelings back again.”

The melodic quality of 1970s music, Harriet said, “is something I am drawn to, and the storytelling lyrics that draw you in. I love it.”

Harriet’s 2024 studio album, “Trying to Get the Feeling Again,” features originals “Mountain” and “Silent Disco,” plus 1970s soft-rock/pop covers. Cover versions include Christopher Cross’ “Sailing,” one of Harriet’s favorites, two Carpenters songs and Andrew Gold’s “Thank You For Being a Friend.”

Early influences

Born in Hertfordshire and living in London since age 19, Harriet — with a voice comparable to the late Karen Carpenter — credits her father with influencing her musical direction.

“My dad has always been a great lover of music and was responsible for a lot of the music I grew up listening to from the ’60s and ’70s, including the Beatles, the Carpenters, Bread, Carole King, etc. These artists have become a huge inspiration for me as a singer and songwriter.”

Since a young age, Harriet has “had this feeling that music is what I was meant to be doing. I was involved in a lot of amateur dramatics when I was a kid, mainly in musical theater. I never connected with this style of music or performing; I wasn’t gifted with that kind of big voice or style.”

Harriet, at about age 12, performed Peggy Lee’s jazz number “He’s A Tramp,” from Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp,” during a variety show at her local theater. She “felt right at home in my lower register. It felt so good to sing down there and I could really express myself.”

That night, “I was so nervous, as it was the first time I had performed solo. The room went silent when I started singing. I remember how special that felt, that I made all these people feel something. I decided then that I wanted to do that again and again.”

Harriet, after uploading her first single “Afterglow” to SoundCloud in 2014, scored her big break: a BBC Radio 2 invitation to perform on comedian/broadcaster Graham Norton’s seasonal special.

“Getting a performance slot like this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Every artist and label were after these slots; it was a big deal for me.”

On the special, Harriet performed her original song “Maybe This Christmas.”

The reaction, she said, “was incredible. It connected me with so many new fans across the U.K. and enabled me to continuously tour there. It gave me a leg up and I’m still appreciative of this opportunity.”

Building a legacy

Working with songwriter/producer Steve Anderson, Harriet released her eponymous debut album in 2016. The singer’s contralto tone and melancholy vocals drew comparisons to Karen Carpenter, comparisons to which Harriet was accustomed since about age 13.

“I sounded much older than I was back then. I’ve never tried to emulate Karen’s voice, or anyone else’s. I just sound the way I sound. I’m grateful for the comparison because it has connected me with millions of people who love that music, and it has given me a career.”

At the same time, she added, “it has always been a little difficult for me. Karen is so loved, and her legacy is incredibly special. I’ve always wanted to be respectful of that, and never to upset anyone who treasures her music, so the comparison has never sat entirely comfortably with me.”

John Bettis, the lyricist behind many of the Carpenters’ biggest hits, encouraged Harriet to see the comparisons differently while working with the singer on new material.

“It’s only in the last couple of years that I’ve learned to embrace the connection,” said Harriet, who was touched to read Richard Carpenter’s 2024 praise of the singer. The British songstress’ next album, a mix of covers and originals, may include a Carpenters song or two.

These are a few of my favorite things

Harriet, who counts her 2015 version of 10cc’s “I’m Not in Love” among her favorite covers, also has favorites among her originals. They include “Burn,” a track about chronic overthinking from 2023’s “The Outcome,” and a song, whose title she cannot reveal just yet, from the upcoming album.

In regard to career challenges, “being careful with the people I surround myself with” ranked among the biggest for Harriet.

“I have learnt this the hard way, but I guess it’s part of the development process. I am fortunate to now have a great team of people who I trust and enjoy spending time with.”

Harriet also found it challenging to drown out outside noise, as “everyone has an opinion about what you should be doing differently. Now, I am much more confident to trust my gut on everything. It never lets me down.”

As for career highlights, “breaking into the U.S. and being able to tour here has been the biggest. It was such a journey to get to this point, but it is changing my life, so I am happy and grateful. We have a lot of ground to cover. I would love to do 100 shows next year out here; wouldn’t that be cool?”