Noah Kahan: The Life Story Behind the Stick Season Star
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Noah Kahan is a folk singer from a small town in Vermont who writes songs about home, about love, about mental health, and about the feeling of being stuck in a place you love and want to leave at the same time. His songs are honest, they are specific, and they are full of details about small towns, about snow, about dogs, about mothers, and about the people who stay and the people who go. In 2022, he released a song called Stick Season, and it became a global hit, a song about a season in Vermont when the leaves have fallen, the snow has not yet come, and everything feels grey, cold, and in between. Millions of people who had never been to Vermont felt that song, because they knew what it was like to be in between, to be stuck, and to be waiting for something better.
He was born on 1 January 1997 in Strafford, Vermont, a small town in the Green Mountains, and he grew up in a family that loved music, nature, and community. His father ran a business, his mother worked in education, and Noah and his siblings grew up in a rural, quiet place, with forests, fields, and small-town life as a big part of their childhood. He started writing songs as a teenager, on a guitar, in his bedroom, and he posted them online, not knowing that one day, millions of people would sing them back to him in stadiums.
What makes his story worth telling is the honesty of his music. He writes about anxiety, about depression, about therapy, and about the hard parts of growing up, in a way that is direct, funny, and kind. He does not hide his struggles. He sings about them, and his fans love him for it, because they feel less alone when they hear his songs. He is also a man who loves his home, Vermont, and who has used his fame to help others, through his Busyhead Project, a foundation that supports mental health. His story is about a small-town boy who became a global star by being honest, by staying true to his home, and by singing about what matters.
Growing Up in Strafford, Vermont
Noah Kahan was born on 1 January 1997 in Strafford, Vermont, a small town in Orange County, in the Green Mountains. He grew up in a rural, quiet place, with forests, fields, and a small community where everyone knew each other. His father, Josh Kahan, ran a business, and his mother, Lauri, worked in education, and Noah and his siblings, including his younger brother Simon, grew up in a home that valued music, reading, and the outdoors. It was a simple, happy childhood, with snow in winter, green hills in summer, and a sense of place that would later shape all of Noah’s songs.
He went to school in Vermont, and he was a good student, but he was also a shy, anxious teenager, who struggled with mental health from a young age. He has spoken openly about his anxiety, about feeling different, and about the way school could be hard when you are sensitive and thoughtful. He found comfort in music, in writing songs, and in playing guitar, and he began to write about his feelings, about his town, and about the people around him. Music was a safe place, a way to say what he felt, and to turn pain into art.
He started playing guitar as a teenager, and he began to write songs, inspired by folk singers, by country, and by the music he heard at home. He listened to artists who told stories in their songs, and he learned how to write a lyric that says something true in a few words. He also posted his songs online, on SoundCloud and YouTube, and people began to notice his voice, his honesty, and his gift for writing about small-town life in a way that felt universal. He was a teenager from Vermont, writing songs in his bedroom, and he did not know that it would change his life.
His family supported him, even when they did not fully understand the music business. They saw that he was talented, that he was working hard, and that he was building something, and they encouraged him to keep going. He was still in school, still a teenager, but he was already a songwriter, with songs, with a following, and with a future that was beginning to take shape. That support, from a family that believed in him, was a big part of why he kept going, even when the road was hard.
Hurt Somebody, Busyhead, and a First Record Deal
In 2017, Noah released his first single, Hurt Somebody, a song about a relationship ending, with a simple, emotional arrangement and a clear, honest vocal. The song did well, and it caught the attention of record companies, who saw a young singer with a gift for writing about love and loss. He signed with Republic Records, and he began to work on his debut album, Busyhead, which was released in 2019. The album included Hurt Somebody, as well as songs like False Confidence and Mess, and it showed a young artist who was learning, growing, and finding his voice.
Busyhead was a good first album, but it did not become a huge hit, and Noah was still a relatively unknown singer, touring small venues, opening for other artists, and building a fan base one show at a time. It was slow work, and it was frustrating at times, because he knew he had more to say, and he wanted more people to hear it. But he kept writing, kept touring, and kept believing that his songs mattered, even when the crowds were small. That persistence, to keep going when no one is listening, is a big part of his story.
He followed Busyhead with his second album, I Was / I Am, released in 2021, a more personal record, with songs about growing up, about mental health, and about the feeling of being stuck in a small town. The album included the song Someone Like You, and it showed a more mature Noah, a singer who was writing about his own life, in his own words, with more depth and more honesty. The album did well with his fans, but it still did not break through to a wide audience. Noah was building, slowly, and he was waiting for the song that would change everything.
During this time, he also struggled with his mental health, and he has spoken openly about anxiety, depression, and the pressure of being a young artist trying to make it. He went to therapy, he worked on himself, and he learned how to take care of his mind, even when the music business was stressful. That honesty about mental health would later become a central part of his work, through his songs and through his Busyhead Project, a foundation he started to support mental health organisations. He was not only a singer. He was a person who wanted to help others who felt the same way he did.
Stick Season and a Song the Whole World Sang
In 2022, Noah released the song Stick Season, and it changed his life. The song is about a season in Vermont, after the leaves have fallen and before the snow comes, when everything feels grey, cold, and in between. It is also about a relationship ending, about watching someone you love move on, and about the feeling of being stuck in a place that is both home and a trap. The song is sung with a powerful, emotional voice, and it has a chorus that is easy to sing, with a melody that sticks in your head. It became a global hit, going to number one in many countries, and it was streamed billions of times around the world.
Stick Season also gave Noah his third album, Stick Season, released in 2022, a collection of songs about Vermont, about love, about home, and about growing up. The album included songs like Northern Attitude, Dial Drunk, and All My Love, and it was praised by critics for its honesty, its storytelling, and its folk sound. It was a breakthrough, not only because of the hit song, but because the whole album felt like a real statement, a portrait of a small town, a young man, and a life that was both specific and universal. Fans loved it, and it gave Noah a solid foundation for a long career.
He followed Stick Season with Stick Season (Forever), an expanded version released in 2024, with new songs, including Forever, and with collaborations with other artists, including Post Malone on the song Dial Drunk. The expanded album showed that Noah was still growing, still writing, and still finding new ways to tell his story. He also toured the world, playing to large crowds, in stadiums and arenas, and he became known for his live shows, which were emotional, energetic, and full of fans who sang along to every word. It was a long way from Strafford, Vermont, and from a bedroom, but he had earned it, through hard work, honesty, and a song that the whole world sang.
The song also earned him a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2024, a major honour that recognised his work as a singer and songwriter. He performed at the Grammy Awards, and he was praised for his live performance, which showed his voice, his energy, and his stage presence. The nomination was a sign that the music world had taken him seriously, not only as a folk singer from Vermont, but as a real artist with a real voice. It was a moment of triumph, after years of hard work, and it gave him the confidence to keep going.
The Busyhead Project and Helping Others
One of the most important parts of Noah’s life is his work for mental health, through his foundation, The Busyhead Project. He started the project to raise money for mental health organisations, and to talk openly about anxiety, depression, and the need for help. He has said that he started the project because he wanted to use his platform to help others who felt the way he did, alone, anxious, and unsure where to turn. The project has raised significant money, and it has helped many people, and it is a central part of who Noah is, not only as a singer, but as a person.
He has spoken openly about his own mental health, about going to therapy, about taking medication, and about the importance of asking for help. That honesty is rare in music, especially for a young man, and it has helped many fans, especially young men, who feel that they cannot talk about their feelings. When a famous singer says, I go to therapy, I struggle, and I am still here, it tells young people that it is okay to ask for help. That is a powerful message, and Noah delivers it with kindness, humour, and honesty.
He has also used his concerts to raise money for mental health, donating a portion of ticket sales to the Busyhead Project, and encouraging his fans to support local mental health organisations. His fans, who call themselves part of a community, have embraced the project, and they have raised money, shared stories, and supported each other. It is not only a charity. It is a movement, a group of people who believe that mental health matters, and who want to help each other. Noah is at the centre of it, not as a distant star, but as a friend who understands.
Today, Noah Kahan is a global folk star, with hit songs, hit albums, a Grammy nomination, and a fan base that spans the world. He is also a young man from Vermont who still loves his home, his family, and his small town, and who has used his fame to help others. He is still in his late twenties, and his career is only beginning, with new music, new tours, and new work for mental health ahead of him. His story is far from over, and that is part of what makes it exciting to follow. He started in a bedroom in Strafford, with a guitar, and he became a star, by being honest, by staying true to his home, and by singing about what matters.
What Honesty About Home and Health Can Do
Noah Kahan’s life teaches a simple lesson: honesty about where you come from, and about how you feel, can build a lasting career. He writes about Vermont, about stick season, about small towns, and about mental health, in a way that is specific, funny, and kind, and millions of people feel it, because they have felt the same things, even if they have never been to Vermont. That honesty, to write about your home and your heart, is the heart of his story, and it is a lesson for anyone who wants to make art: write about what you know, write about what you feel, and trust that others will feel it too.
His story also teaches that helping others is a good use of fame. He started the Busyhead Project, he talks about therapy, and he raises money for mental health, because he knows what it is like to struggle, and he wants to help others who struggle. That work is as important as his music, and it is why his fans love him, not only as a singer, but as a person. For young readers, the lesson is to be honest, to ask for help when you need it, and to use whatever you have to help others. Noah does that, and his life shows that it is possible to be a star and a good person at the same time.
Dial Drunk, Northern Attitude, and Songs That Feel Like Home
Noah’s album Stick Season includes songs that have become favourites with his fans, including Northern Attitude, a song about growing up in the north, about cold weather, and about the attitude that comes from living in a small, tough place. The song is funny, honest, and full of details about Vermont, and fans from cold places around the world have said that it feels like their home, too. It is a song about place, about identity, and about the way a small town shapes you, even when you leave it. That specificity, writing about a real place in a real way, is why Noah’s songs feel so true.
Another song, Dial Drunk, is about calling someone you love when you have had too much to drink, and about the regret, the longing, and the honesty that comes out when you are not thinking clearly. The song was a hit, and a version with Post Malone also became popular, showing that Noah’s music could work with other artists, in other styles. It is a song about a mistake, about a late-night call, and about the feeling of wanting someone back, even when you know you should let them go. Fans love it because it is honest, because it is funny, and because it feels like a real story, not a made-up one.
His concerts have become known for these moments, when the crowd sings along to every word, when Noah talks about Vermont, about his family, and about his mental health, and when the room feels like a community, not just an audience. He plays in stadiums now, but his shows still feel intimate, because he talks to the crowd like friends, and because his songs are about real life, real places, and real feelings. That connection is a big part of why his fans love him, and why they keep coming back to his shows, year after year.
Noah has also toured the world, playing to large crowds in stadiums and arenas, and he has become known for his live shows, which are emotional, energetic, and full of fans who sing along to every word. He plays in stadiums now, but his shows still feel intimate, because he talks to the crowd like friends, and because his songs are about real life, real places, and real feelings. He has also worked with other artists, including Post Malone on Dial Drunk, showing that his folk sound can work with pop, with country, and with other styles, and that his music is loved by fans of many different kinds of music. That versatility, and that honesty, is a big part of why his career has grown so fast.
Noah has also spoken about the importance of community, and about how his fans have become a community, not just an audience. They share stories about mental health, they support each other, and they raise money for the Busyhead Project together, and that sense of belonging is a big part of why his concerts feel special. He is not only a singer on a stage. He is the centre of a group of people who care about each other, and who believe that talking about mental health can save lives. That community, built around honesty and kindness, is one of the most meaningful parts of his career, and it is likely to last longer than any hit song.
Noah has also continued to write new music, with songs that show his growth as a songwriter, as a singer, and as a person, and his fans are eager to hear what comes next. He is still in his late twenties, and his career is still unfolding, with new albums, new tours, and new work for mental health ahead of him. His story, from a bedroom in Strafford to stadiums around the world, is a reminder that honest songs, about home, about love, and about how you feel, can travel further than anyone expects, and can help people you will never meet, in places you have never been.
Noah has also spoken about the seasons in Vermont, and about how each one shapes his songs, from the green summers, to the bright autumns, to the long, cold winters, to the grey, in-between time of stick season. He writes about the land, the weather, and the small details of rural life, because those details are what make a place feel real, and what make a song feel true. Fans who have never been to Vermont say that his songs make them feel as if they have been there, walking in the snow, sitting by a fire, and looking out at the mountains, and that is a gift, to write about a place so clearly that strangers can feel it, too.
His relationship with his fans has also grown into something special, with concert crowds singing every word, sharing stories about mental health, and supporting each other, long after the show is over. He has built a community, not just an audience, and that community, centred on honesty, kindness, and the Busyhead Project, is one of the most meaningful parts of his career. He is not only a singer on a stage. He is a friend, a voice, and a reminder that it is okay to ask for help, and that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
My Take:
When I think about Noah Kahan, the first thing I feel is comfort, because his songs feel like home, even if you have never been to Vermont. He writes about small towns, about snow, about dogs, about mothers, and about the feeling of being stuck in a place you love and want to leave at the same time, and millions of people feel that, because they have felt it in their own towns, in their own lives. His music is honest, it is specific, and it is kind, and I think that is why Stick Season became a global hit. It is not a song about fame or fortune. It is a song about a season, a place, and a feeling, and that feeling is universal.
I loved Stick Season when I first heard it, and I still think it is one of the best songs of recent years. It is about a time in Vermont when the leaves have fallen, the snow has not yet come, and everything feels grey, cold, and in between. It is also about a relationship ending, about watching someone you love move on, and about being stuck. The song is sung with a powerful, emotional voice, and it has a chorus that is easy to sing, with a melody that stays in your head. I think that is why millions of people sang it, because it said something true about being in between, about waiting, and about hoping for something better. That is a feeling everyone knows.
What I admire about Noah is his honesty about mental health. He has spoken openly about anxiety, depression, therapy, and medication, and he has done it without hiding, without pretending that life is easy. That honesty is rare, especially for a young man, and it has helped many fans, especially young men, who feel that they cannot talk about their feelings. When a famous singer says, I go to therapy, I struggle, and I am still here, it tells young people that it is okay to ask for help. I think that is a powerful use of fame, and I wish more stars would do it. Noah does it, and I respect him for it.
I also admire his Busyhead Project, because it is not just talk. It is a real foundation that raises money for mental health organisations, and it has helped many people. He donates a portion of his ticket sales, he encourages his fans to support local organisations, and he has built a community around mental health. That work is as important as his music, and it shows that he understands that fame is useful only if you use it to help others. I think that is a beautiful thing, and it is why I respect him so much, not only as a singer, but as a person.
I feel happy when I think about his love for Vermont, because he has stayed true to his home, even as he became famous. He writes about Strafford, about the Green Mountains, about small-town life, and he does it with love, not with shame. Many artists leave their small towns and never look back, but Noah keeps looking back, keeps writing about home, and keeps coming home. That loyalty, to a place and to a community, is a big part of why his fans love him, because he feels real, not like a star who has forgotten where he came from. He is a boy from Vermont, and he is proud of it.
I also think about his early albums, Busyhead and I Was / I Am, and how hard he worked before Stick Season. He toured small venues, he opened for other artists, and he built a fan base one show at a time, with little recognition. That slow work, that patience, is the heart of his story. He did not become famous overnight. He worked for years, he wrote songs, he kept going, and then Stick Season came, and the world finally listened. I think that is a lesson for anyone who has a dream that is taking a long time: keep going, keep writing, and trust that your work matters, even when no one is listening yet.
If I have a criticism, it is that his music, while beautiful, can sometimes feel sad, and I wish he would write more joyful songs, too. But I also understand that his sadness is honest, and that it is what makes his music special. He writes about anxiety, about loss, and about being stuck, because those are real feelings, and because many people feel them. I do not want him to pretend to be happy when he is not. I want him to keep writing honestly, and I hope that as he grows, his music will grow with him, with more joy, more hope, and more light, alongside the sadness.
I also think about his Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2024, and how well deserved it was. He had worked for years, he had released three albums, and he had finally broken through with Stick Season. That nomination showed the music world had taken him seriously as a folk singer from Vermont and as a genuine artist with a real voice. I was glad for him, because he had earned it, and because it showed that honesty, hard work, and patience can lead to recognition, even in a business that often rewards noise over substance.
For a young reader, I think the lesson from Noah’s life is to write about what you know, to be honest about how you feel, and to ask for help when you need it. He writes about Vermont, about stick season, about small towns, and about mental health, in a way that is specific, funny, and kind, and millions of people feel it, because they have felt the same things. He also started the Busyhead Project, to help others who struggle, because he knows what it is like to struggle. That is a lesson for anyone who has a gift: use it well, use it kindly, and use it to help others. Noah does that, and his life shows that it is possible to be a star and a good person at the same time.
I keep coming back to the image of a young Noah in Strafford, writing songs in his bedroom, with a guitar, with no idea that millions of people would one day sing Stick Season back to him in stadiums. That boy grew up, and he became a global folk star, and he did it by being honest, by staying true to his home, and by singing about what matters. I think that boy would be proud of the man he became, and I think his story will inspire many young people who are writing songs in their bedrooms, in small towns, and dreaming of a bigger life. He started with a guitar, a town, and a feeling, and he built a career from it. That is a story worth telling.
I also think about his brother Simon, and how family has shaped Noah’s life. He grew up in Strafford with his siblings, in a small town where everyone knew each other, and that sense of community, of family, of home, is in all of his songs. He writes about his mother, about his brother, about his dogs, and about the people who stay, and those details make his songs feel real, because they are real. Family is not always easy, but it is the foundation of who we are, and Noah’s family gave him a safe place to grow, to write, and to be himself. I am glad he had that, and I hope he keeps it close.
His song Northern Attitude is another one I love, because it is about growing up in the north, about cold weather, and about the attitude that comes from living in a small, tough place. The song is funny, honest, and full of details about Vermont, and fans from cold places around the world have said that it feels like their home, too. It is a song about place, about identity, and about the way a small town shapes you, even when you leave it. That specificity, writing about a real place in a real way, is why Noah’s songs feel so true, and why they connect with people who have never been to Vermont.
I think about Dial Drunk, too, and how honest it is. It is about calling someone you love when you have had too much to drink, and about the regret, the longing, and the honesty that comes out when you are not thinking clearly. It is a funny, sad, and true song, and fans love it because it feels like a real story, not a made-up one. Noah writes about mistakes, about late-night calls, and about wanting someone back, even when you know you should let them go. That honesty, about the messy parts of love, is a big part of why his fans trust him.
His early albums, Busyhead and I Was / I Am, are also worth remembering, because they show how hard he worked before Stick Season. He toured small venues, he opened for other artists, and he built a fan base one show at a time, with little recognition. That slow work, that patience, is the heart of his story. He did not become famous overnight. He worked for years, he wrote songs, he kept going, and then Stick Season came, and the world finally listened. I think that is a lesson for anyone who has a dream that is taking a long time: keep going, keep writing, and trust that your work matters.
I also think about his Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2024, and how well deserved it was. He had worked for years, he had released three albums, and he had finally broken through with Stick Season. The nomination was a sign that the music world had taken him seriously, not only as a folk singer from Vermont, but as a real artist with a real voice. I was glad for him, because he had earned it, and because it showed that honesty, hard work, and patience can lead to recognition, even in a business that often rewards noise over substance.
In the end, I think Noah’s story is about a boy from Strafford who wrote songs in his bedroom, with a guitar, about his town, his family, and his feelings, and who became a global folk star by being honest, by staying true to his home, and by singing about what matters. He started the Busyhead Project, he talks about therapy, and he helps others who struggle, because he knows what it is like to struggle. That young songwriter in Strafford would be proud of the man he became, and his journey will inspire many teenagers writing songs in their bedrooms in small towns. Write about what you know, be honest about how you feel, and trust that others will feel it too. Noah proved it.
I also think about his song All My Love, and how it shows a softer, more hopeful side of Noah, a singer who can write about love, not only about loss. The song is about giving your love to someone, even when it is hard, and about the hope that it will be enough. It is a beautiful, gentle song, and it proves that Noah can write about joy, not only about sadness. I think that range, from sad to hopeful, is a sign of a real artist, and I hope he keeps writing songs that show all sides of who he is, because his fans need to hear both, the sadness and the hope.
In the end, I think Noah’s story is about a boy from a small town in Vermont who wrote honest songs about home, about love, and about mental health, and who became a global star by being himself. He started the Busyhead Project, he talks about therapy, and he helps others who struggle, because he knows what it is like to struggle. I think that boy would be proud of the man he became, and I think his story will inspire many young people who are writing songs in their bedrooms, in small towns, and dreaming of a bigger life. Write about what you know, be honest, and trust that others will feel it. Noah proved it, and his story is still being written.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Noah Kahan become famous?
Noah became famous with his song Stick Season, released in 2022, about a season in Vermont when the leaves have fallen and the snow has not yet come. The song became a global hit, going to number one in many countries. Before that, he had released the albums Busyhead in 2019 and I Was / I Am in 2021, building a fan base slowly.
What is Stick Season about?
Stick Season is about a time in Vermont after the leaves fall and before the snow comes, when everything feels grey, cold, and in between. The song is also about a relationship ending and the feeling of being stuck in a place that is both home and a trap. Its honest, specific lyrics made it a hit with millions of people who felt the same in-between feeling.
What is The Busyhead Project?
The Busyhead Project is Noah’s foundation to raise money for mental health organisations and to talk openly about anxiety and depression. He started it to help others who felt the way he did, and he donates a portion of his ticket sales to it. The project has raised significant money and built a community around mental health.
Did Noah Kahan win a Grammy Award?
Noah was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2024, recognising his work, especially Stick Season, but he did not win in that category. The nomination was a major honour and a sign that the music world had taken him seriously as a folk singer and songwriter.
What are Noah Kahan’s albums?
His albums are Busyhead, released in 2019, I Was / I Am, released in 2021, and Stick Season, released in 2022, with an expanded version Stick Season (Forever) in 2024. Stick Season includes Northern Attitude, Dial Drunk, and All My Love, and it is his breakthrough record.
Is Noah Kahan open about his mental health?
Yes, Noah has spoken openly about anxiety, depression, therapy, and medication, and about the importance of asking for help. His honesty has helped many fans, especially young men, who feel they cannot talk about their feelings. He uses his platform and his Busyhead Project to support mental health.
