How Noah Kahan Brought Folk to the Forefront

Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan has made himself known with his latest project, Stick Season, which included viral TikToks, sold out tours, and multiple versions of the folk album. Stick Season carries heavy themes of nostalgia, loneliness, hope, and New England winter. The project marks a new genre for Kahan's published music - he wasn't always writing folk songs.

Kahan got his start in Vermont, growing up on a 133-acre tree farm. Similar to other young stars, like Justin Bieber, Kahan uploaded videos of his early music to YouTube. Instead of attending college, Kahan went on tour with Milky Chance, the rock and electronic band from Germany. Soon after, he signed with Republic Records and released his debut album, Busyhead. This album contained the charting single "Hurt Somebody" and marked the sound of Kahan's early career - acoustic pop tunes with heartfelt lyrics.

His next projects included EP Cape Elizabeth, featuring the song "Maine," and I Was / I Am, which spawned the popular-with-fans track "Godlight." As the pandemic raged on, Noah began to preview his upcoming single, "Stick Season" on TikTok. These teasers went viral, propelling interest in his newest album. The 14-track folk album dropped in October 2022, coming in at #14 on the Billboard 200. The folk sound was unmistakable, from mandolin parts on many tracks, more open-form songwriting, and themes about the mundane daily life from Kahan's hometown. Kahan embarked on a sold-out tour, featuring concerts at Fenway Park and Madison Square Garden. As Noah's Stick Season tour picked up steam, the album was reinvented, with the deluxe version Stick Season (We'll All Be Here Forever) coming out in June 2023. Collaborations with some of Kahan's musical influences, like Hozier and Sam Fender, graced the final iteration of Stick Season with new takes on the album's songs.

Noah also has his own charitable foundation, The Busyhead Project. The endeavor is a non-profit mental health foundation directed towards raising awareness and reducing stigma, In his home state of Vermont, Kahan has collaborated with ice cream manufacturer Ben & Jerry's on the limited flavor Northern Latte-tude in support of his foundation.

Along with Hozier and Sam Fender, Kahan counts Paul Simon, Cat Stevens, Mumford & Sons, and Green Day as other musical influences.