Noah Kahan Shares Mental Health Journey Through New Album

Noah Kahan discussed his music career, mental health experiences and new album The Great Divide in a CBS News Sunday Morning interview with correspondent Luke Burbank. The Vermont singer-songwriter explained how a 2020 TikTok post of Stick Season changed his career and led to major recognition.

According to CBS News, Kahan, now 29, became a multi-platinum, two-time Grammy-nominated artist after Stick Season and its 2022 album brought his personal stories to a global audience. His fourth album The Great Divide later topped the Billboard chart.

Kahan described his early expectations as a musician while reflecting on his Vermont background and career path.

"My high school prediction was Most Likely to Be a Regionally-Known Musician," said Noah Kahan, singer-songwriter.

"I think it was supposed to be an insult, but I'm happy to have found my niche." said Noah Kahan, singer-songwriter.

Kahan said he left a TikTok post online after previously deleting posts that did not receive immediate attention. The song gained traction after other artists and creators began sharing it.

"I deleted many TikToks before," said Noah Kahan, singer-songwriter.

"All these artists and different TikTok creators started covering it," said Noah Kahan, singer-songwriter.

The singer said his concerts aim to create a close connection with fans rather than relying on large-scale production elements. He also discussed pressure following the success of Stick Season.

"They want that intimate feel, and they kind of go into their own worlds of these shows. I think they kind of feel like they're right up there with us. There's not a thousand background dancers or tons of fireworks and pyro. It's like a show that feels big, but small at the same time." said Noah Kahan, singer-songwriter.

"The whole time, I kind of was just waiting for the other shoe to fall," said Noah Kahan, singer-songwriter.

Kahan said stepping away from songwriting helped him reconnect with the creative process. He also founded The Busyhead Project in 2023, an organization focused on expanding access to mental health support, which has raised more than $13 million.

"The only solution for me really was to step away from songwriting and to wait and to trust that what I've loved to do my entire life would return to me in its purest form. And it did." said Noah Kahan, singer-songwriter.

Kahan said his openness about mental health has allowed him to reach more people and discuss personal struggles publicly.

"I'm confronted with the way I look all the time," said Noah Kahan, singer-songwriter.

"There's been so much joy in my life, and I want to access that joy more, because I think I deserve it, and I think the fans would still listen to it. I'm scared to trust myself to be content, because it's just not a feeling I've ever really lived with, but I'd love to try. And it's my intention to try, and so we'll see." said Noah Kahan, singer-songwriter.