Noah Kahan Defines My Alaskan Experience

 by Jami Morain

    I spent my first two college summers living in Alaska, and during that time Noah Kahan released his third album, Stick Season (We'll All Be Here Forever). 

    Kahan is from Stafford, Vermont, which happens to be the inspiration behind his album. He used this folk-pop album as an escape and safe place to write about his mental health. USA Today wrote, "Singer-songwriter Kahan is best known for his folk-pop album “Stick Season,” an ode to growing up in New England infused with self-deprecating, introspective lyrics about struggles with mental health, love and homesickness." 

Trees surrounding the roads.

    Folk music never held my interest until I heard "Stick Season" for the first time. It was so unique and heart-felt. I couldn't tell if it was a love song, sad song, or song about causing your own heartbreak. Variety Magazine wrote an article on Kahan being one of 2023's biggest breakout stars and explained the term "stick season" as, "a euphemism for the dog days of late fall." I have decided the song is about going through a breakup while being stuck in your small town with old memories and seasonal depression.

    Moving to Ketchikan, a rainy town on an island in Alaska, I was completed engulfed in nature's beauty. Every day I found something to be amazed by: the sun reflecting off the ocean, massive trees spanning for miles, active wildlife, or breathtaking sunsets. Being such a music enthusiast, I was desperately searching for a soundtrack to fit living in a rainforest, similar to small town kids enjoying country music while driving backroads. Lucky for me, Kahan would release that album on June 9, 2023, just in time for my summer. 

Hiking up a mountain with an amazing view.

    Folk music was perfect for Alaska. Nothing could have been more fitting than driving around a corner as the sparkling ocean came into view when the beat dropped to "Northern Attitude." It felt like a movie. The scene was unforgettable and resonated in my heart. Even now when I hear that song my summer swarms my head as the memories flood back in a montage. Walking the docks, swimming in the ocean, my roommate chasing a bear, driving up and down mountains, seeing breaching whales, holding a jellyfish and lots of laughs. 

    That's one of the reasons I love music, it is so powerful by holding onto your memories and emotions for you, until it randomly plays again and returns them.

    Now Kahan has been nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys, performed on SNL and been collaborating with other musicians so heavily that fans have started saying "he's collecting them like Thanos." He just announced Stick Season (Forever), an album consisting of the collaborations and a new song, "Forever," which already has traction on TikTok.

Watching the sunset from the docks.

    I heavily recommend listening to Noah Kahan's music, a good place to start would be "Northern Attitude" featuring Hozier, especially if he will be 2023's best new artist. 

Album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKrDdsgXuso&list=PLNSovIHakgQDJiUpsxSmne8Ahv7LH5SZO

"Homesick" ft. Sam Fender

"Dial Drunk" ft. Post Malone