If you’ve been anywhere near a music streaming platform in the last couple of years, chances are you’ve bumped into Noah Kahan.
Whether it’s the wistful, crunchy guitar of “Stick Season” or the raw emotional pull of “Homesick”, this guy has a way of grabbing you by the collar and not letting go.
But who exactly is Noah Kahan? Let’s dig into the life and career of one of the most refreshingly genuine voices in modern folk-pop.
Here are 15 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know About Noah Kahan
1. Noah was born on New Year’s Day, 1997
Yep – January 1st. Noah Kahan entered the world the same day everyone else was sleeping off their celebrations. Born in Strafford, Vermont, he’s a true product of rural New England, and it shows in every lyric he writes.
2. He literally grew up on a tree farm
Not just “in the countryside” – the Kahan family owned a 133-acre tree farm in Strafford. Wide open skies, cold winters, and the kind of quiet that either drives you nuts or turns you into a poet. For Noah, it was the latter.
3. His dad taught him guitar, his mom taught him to write
Josh Kahan, his father, first put a guitar in Noah’s hands. His mother, Lauri Berkenkamp, was a published author of parenting guides – so storytelling was practically baked into the family DNA. It’s a pretty solid combination when you want to become a singer-songwriter.
4. Noah Kahan started writing songs at age eight
Eight years old. Most kids at that age are worried about losing their lunch money. Noah was already penning songs and uploading them to SoundCloud and YouTube.
His very first song was called “Wednesday Is The Worst Day of My Life” – which he performed at his school talent show, and which apparently caused enough concern that the school sent him to the guidance counsellor for two weeks. A songwriter from day one.
5. He got his first guitar at age ten
So two years of writing songs before he even had a proper instrument to play them on. That tracks, honestly.
6. He attended Hanover High School in New Hampshire
Even though he was born in Vermont, Noah crossed the state line for high school, attending Hanover High in Hanover, New Hampshire. Small-town life on both sides of the border.
7. He got into Tulane University – and then deferred to chase music
Noah was accepted to Tulane University in New Orleans in 2015. He described it as “a dream come true.” But with a record deal starting to take shape, he made the call to defer his enrollment. As he put it, college would always be there – a record deal might not. Turns out he was right to bet on himself.
8. Noah Kahan signed with Republic Records in 2017, aged 20
His music caught the ear of producer Joel Little – the same guy behind massive records for Lorde and Taylor Swift – which helped him land a deal with Republic Records. He released his debut single, “Young Blood”, in January 2017, and it went viral, racking up over 9 million streams.
9. His breakthrough came with “Hurt Somebody”
Released in 2017 and later appearing on a debut EP in 2018, “Hurt Somebody” (featuring Julia Michaels) was the song that put him on the map internationally.
It hit number 13 in the Netherlands, number 14 in Australia, and earned gold status in the US. He made his late-night TV debut performing it on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2018.
10. Noah Kahan went on his first tour at 19, opening for Milky Chance
Before he was headlining, Noah was supporting acts like Milky Chance, Ben Folds, and Anderson East. He also toured in support of George Ezra and The Strumbellas. A proper apprenticeship in the touring trenches.
11. “Stick Season” went viral on TikTok before it was even released
In October 2020, Noah started posting snippets of a song on TikTok. Over two years, he kept teasing it. By the time the full track dropped as part of his 2022 album Stick Season, it already had a built-in audience desperate to hear the whole thing.
The album became his commercial breakthrough and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2023.
12. He has been open about his struggles with mental health
Anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia – Noah has spoken honestly about all of it. He’s said he’s been struggling with anxiety and depression “for as long as I can remember” and even began attending therapy as a child.
He’s spoken about how making music that connects with others helped him feel less alone in those struggles. A Netflix documentary, Noah Kahan: Out of Body, covers this in depth.
13. Noah Kahan founded the Busyhead Project
Taking it beyond just talking about mental health, Noah created the Busyhead Project – an initiative dedicated to providing mental health resources to Vermonters, particularly those in marginalized communities.
In September 2024, Vermont Governor Phil Scott officially proclaimed “Noah Kahan’s Busyhead Project Day” in the state. His benefit concert that night donated all proceeds to Vermont-based mental health organisations.
14. His musical influences read like a folk-rock hall of fame
Paul Simon, Cat Stevens, Counting Crows, Hozier, Mumford & Sons, Sam Fender, and Green Day all get name-checked as inspirations. You can hear the thread running through his music – anthemic folk with emotional weight and a real sense of place.
15. Post Malone called him one of the most talented songwriters he’d ever met
Not exactly a throwaway comment. The two collaborated on “Dial Drunk” from the Stick Season album, and clearly something clicked. Coming from Post Malone, that’s high praise.
Well, there you have it, 15 interesting facts you might not have known about Noah Kahan. If I’ve left out something important, feel free to comment below.
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