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Noah Kahan Reflects on Fame After Third Album and OCD Diagnosis
U.S. singer Noah Kahan discussed his rapid rise to prominence following his third album, Stick Season, which led to headlining festivals and arenas. He described experiencing a crisis of confidence and an OCD diagnosis that affected his songwriting process. Kahan noted that medication and time away from writing helped him regain perspective and complete new songs.
Apr 25, 7:01 PM·2m read1 source
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U.S. singer Noah Kahan gained significant attention after his third album, Stick Season. The album's title track was covered by Olivia Rodrigo in BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, contributing to his increased visibility. Within a year, Kahan began headlining arenas, and last summer, he performed as a headliner at festivals, including the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival, where he was joined by Brandi Carlile and Laufey.
Kahan's songs address themes such as heartache, alienation, and the uncertainties of early adulthood, often drawing from his experiences in small-town America. Marcus Mumford wrote in Time magazine that Kahan's work connects listeners to their humanity, similar to 1960s folk songwriters.
Kahan has incorporated humor in his public persona, referring to himself as "Hairy Styles" and responding to online critics with sarcasm.
Amid Success Kahan reported that his sudden success led to feelings of disorientation and concern that it might not last. During tours last year, he focused on potential endings rather than the audiences present. He also struggled with writing new music, starting dozens of songs but abandoning them due to self-doubt.
He took a trip to Joshua Tree National Park in an effort to jump-start his muse, but felt even worse. Upon returning home, he received a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and stopped writing for a month. Kahan described this period as difficult, as he had tied his sense of value to his creative output.
Music Kahan resumed medication, specifically the antidepressant Lexapro, which he said provided relief from obsessive thoughts and allowed him to live more in the present. This helped him revisit and complete previously started songs, estimating he had 35 to 40 demos.
