Noah Kahan

Noah Kahan – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Delve into the life and career of American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan — from his Vermont roots and early songwriting to his breakthrough with Stick Season, his honest reflections on mental health, and a collection of his most memorable quotes.

Introduction

Noah Kahan (born January 1, 1997) is an American singer-songwriter whose raw, emotionally resonant songs have made him a defining voice in contemporary folk-pop. He first attracted attention with his single Hurt Somebody, but it was his third album Stick Season that catapulted him into mainstream success and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. His deeply personal songwriting—touching on small-town life, mental health, longing, and self-discovery—resonates with listeners seeking honesty in music.

In this article, we explore Noah Kahan’s early life, the evolution of his musical career, his legacy and influence, and a selection of his most powerful quotes. We wrap up with life lessons drawn from his journey and artistry.

Early Life and Family

Noah Kahan was born on January 1, 1997, in Strafford, Vermont, and raised in a rural setting on a tree farm.

He is one of four children—growing up with siblings in a close-knit family.

For schooling, he attended Hanover High School in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Youth and Education

During his teen years, Noah Kahan immersed himself in songwriting and small performances. Although many artists pursue formal university education, Kahan chose to focus on building a music career instead. Some sources note that he deferred potential college plans to commit fully to music.

By his late teens, he was already uploading music, connecting with early collaborators, and drawing interest from management in the music industry.

Career and Achievements

Launch and Early Work (2017–2021)

After signing with Republic Records in 2017, Kahan relocated to New York and spent time working in Los Angeles and Nashville, absorbing different music scenes.

His breakthrough single, Hurt Somebody, featuring Julia Michaels, achieved gold status in the U.S. and charted internationally. Hurt Somebody, which preceded his debut studio album.

In 2019, he issued his first full-length album, Busyhead, which showcased his introspective storytelling and production blending folk and pop elements.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kahan retreated to Vermont, where he wrote and released the EP Cape Elizabeth in May 2020. Maine, a track on that EP, remains one of the few songs of his he still listens to.

In September 2021, he released his second album, I Was / I Am. While it did not produce a major breakout hit, it further solidified his sound and fan base.

Breakthrough & Stick Season (2022–present)

The turning point in Noah Kahan’s career came with the viral momentum of Stick Season. Beginning in October 2020, he shared snippets of the song on TikTok, cultivating anticipation before the full track’s release in July 2022.

He described Stick Season as the song he always wanted to write—leaner, more folk-forward, less pop-driven. Stick Season dropped, and debuted at #14 on the Billboard 200, marking his first major chart success. Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever), followed in June 2023 with bonus tracks and collaborations.

As Stick Season gained momentum, many songs were reissued in even more expanded form, and the 2024 version Stick Season (Forever) added new collaborators including Brandi Carlile and Gregory Alan Isakov.

The title track hit #1 on the UK Singles Chart in January 2024, making it both Kahan’s first chart-topper and the first #1 of the year. Stick Season reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100—the highest U.S. peak of his career so far.

His rising prominence was recognized with a nomination for Grammy Award – Best New Artist at the 66th Grammy Awards. TIME100 Next, a selection of emerging global talent.

Other career highlights include collaborations with Post Malone (Dial Drunk), Kacey Musgraves (She Calls Me Back), Hozier (Northern Attitude), Lizzy McAlpine (Call Your Mom), Gracie Abrams (Everywhere, Everything), and Zach Bryan (Sarah’s Place). Live from Fenway Park, to be released August 30, 2024.

In 2023, Noah made his Saturday Night Live debut, performing Dial Drunk and Stick Season, hosted by Emma Stone.

In his home state of Vermont, September 19th was proclaimed “Noah Kahan’s Busyhead Project Day,” recognizing his philanthropic initiative to support mental-health resources in his community.

Historical & Cultural Context

Noah Kahan’s artistry arrives in an era when listeners increasingly seek vulnerability, mental health awareness, and authenticity in music. While many chart-oriented artists favor polished pop, Kahan’s roots in folk and indie sensibilities helped him carve a niche. His rise parallels that of artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Noah Gundersen, and Hozier—songwriters who prioritize emotional depth and storytelling.

Moreover, the rise of platforms like TikTok has altered how songs gain traction; Kahan embraced that shift by teasing Stick Season early, allowing his audience to participate in its build-up. This modern approach, combined with the timeless appeal of small-town imagery, introspection, and nature, allowed him to connect across demographics.

His openness about mental health—anxiety, depression, imposter syndrome—also resonates with a generation more willing to talk about vulnerabilities. His music thus becomes part of a cultural movement that destigmatizes emotional struggle and encourages artistic honesty.

Legacy and Influence

Although his career is still unfolding, Noah Kahan’s impact is already significant in several dimensions:

• Musical influence: He’s contributed to a resurgence of folk-inflected pop among younger audiences, emphasizing lyrical richness over spectacle.

• Mental health advocacy: Through his music and the Busyhead Project, he has fostered conversations around emotional wellness, especially in rural and underserved communities.

• Cultural identity: His Vermont heritage and small-town perspective bring into focus rural America’s aesthetic and emotional landscapes, offering listeners outside urban centers a poetic mirror.

• Fan connection: Because he shares his creative process (e.g. early snippets, drafts, vulnerabilities) and personal stories, fans often feel personally invested in his journey—the kind of deep fan-artist relationship that sustains long careers.

Over time, Kahan may come to be seen not merely as a hitmaker but as a bridge between intimate songwriting traditions and mainstream reach—someone whose influence will be felt in encouraging authenticity in commercial music.

Personality, Struggles & Talents

Noah Kahan is as much defined by his vulnerabilities as by his triumphs. He candidly speaks about his battles with anxiety and depression, and has described bouts of imposter syndrome—that even as acclaim grows, he sometimes questions whether he truly belongs. The Guardian, he remarked, “Trying to be cool is exhausting,” acknowledging the tension of public life and the pressure to maintain authenticity.

Songwriting, for him, has functioned as self-therapy. He has said that “putting words to my mental health struggles saved me.”

His creative strengths include:

• Emotional clarity: He articulates complex internal states—confusion, longing, nostalgia—in accessible, vivid language.

• Melodic sensitivity: His arrangements combine folk instrumentation (guitar, banjo, mandolin) with modern production in a way that supports, not overshadows, the lyric.

• Narrative voice: He draws on concrete imagery (seasonal changes, familiar landscapes, drive-time reflections) to ground emotional universals.

• Resilience: The perseverance required to develop his craft, release multiple records, and navigate setbacks (e.g. commercial slowness before Stick Season) shows durability.

Famous Quotes of Noah Kahan

Here are a selection of compelling quotes—lyrics or statements—that reflect his worldview, emotional honesty, and artistry:

“Stick season is between fall and the snow.” “It’s not lost on me how rare it is to have your own truth be what has led to wider success.” “I get nostalgic for the locale where I grew up because the scenery is so beautiful.” “I’ll never sit here and complain about what I do for work. I barely even consider it a real job, but it is work. And it’s hard...”

From his lyrics and interviews, here are a few more:

“I’m a mess, but I’m a mess that’s real.” “You’ve got more than anyone could wish for if wishing made it true.” “With your hand upon my chest, let me rest against your light.” “Let us catch our breath before it turns into a sigh.”

These lines illustrate not only emotional yearning but also a yearning for presence, healing, and connection.

Lessons from Noah Kahan

From his journey and music, here are several life lessons we can draw:

1. Vulnerability is strength. By revealing his struggles, Kahan creates relatability and trust.

2. Consistency fuels growth. His commitment to writing—even when unpublished—helped him sharpen his voice.

3. Authenticity attracts. He leaned into his small-town roots and avoided forcing trends, allowing his unique perspective to shine.

4. Patience is vital. His breakthrough didn’t come overnight; his earlier work laid the foundation.

5. Art can heal. He treats music as catharsis, not just performance, reminding us that creativity can be a path to processing and connection.

6. Connection matters. He shares behind-the-scenes glimpses, invites fans into his process, and fosters community.

Conclusion

Noah Kahan’s ascent is a compelling story: small-town beginnings, teenage songwriting, early setbacks, and then a breakthrough that feels both earned and inevitable. His music matters because it doesn’t pretend; it embraces imperfection, emotional complexity, and a longing for rootedness and authenticity.

As Kahan continues evolving, his legacy is likely to be not just his hits or accolades, but his influence—on listeners who feel less alone, on artists encouraged to be honest, and on a musical landscape that sometimes forgets the power of raw, grounded storytelling.

Explore his discography, read the lyrics, and let his words remind you that being real is always worth it.