A Letter To Noah Kahan

For those reading, this is a theoretical letter to Noah Kahan. I was fortunate enough to experience his Denver Night 1 show last night, and there is a deep connection I have to his music that I know I will hold close to my heart for a long time to come. So, if you want to read this, enjoy!

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Dear Noah Kahan,

This is a different format from my typical blog posts, but I wanted to take the time to write this letter to you. Yes, I realize you will probably never read this, and you know what? That’s okay. This is for me.

Thank you for creating music that talks openly about mental health, life, loneliness, and the things that connect us as human beings. I recently had the chance to watch your documentary on Netflix, and it gave me an even greater appreciation for your story and the journey that has brought you to where you are today.

Your music has spoken to me in ways I don’t always know how to put into words. I have struggled with some anxiety and some depression for a while now, and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found that loneliness and other aspects of mental health can creep into seasons of life that I never expected. Knowing there is music out there that I can turn to during those seasons is, in its own way, incredibly healing.

Your songs have given me words for feelings I sometimes can’t explain myself, and I appreciate that more than you probably know.

I also thoroughly enjoyed your Night 1 Denver show. I got to experience it with my brother, and that meant a lot to me. It gave us the opportunity to create a core memory together and spend some quality one-on-one time that I will always be grateful for.

But the concert didn’t just create a new core memory. It also brought an old one back to the surface. Your music was something I was able to connect with my friend, Taylor Blanton, through. When he passed away, “You’re Gonna Go Far” was played at his funeral, and your music meant a lot to him. So getting to finally see you perform live was incredibly special to me. And, yes, I wish I could tell Taylor about it. I guess I’ll have to save that conversation for someday when I see him in Heaven.

Your music is something I’ve had the honor of getting to know more closely over the past few years. I never realized what the first song of yours was that I had heard until recently, when I remembered listening to “Godlight” from your I Was / I Am album. I actually had to scroll through my saved downloads to find it, and sure enough, that was the first song of yours I had saved.

So, I guess that makes me kind of an “old” fan-ish? I’m not sure how the die-hard Noah Kahan fans would feel about me saying that, lol.

Regardless, I wish you nothing but the best for the rest of this tour and for all the albums, songs, and memories that are still ahead of you.

I hope you continue shining a light in the mental health space. Your music gives people who are struggling a voice during the darker spots of their lives. Sometimes, simply knowing that someone else understands what you’re feeling can make those moments a little less lonely.

Thank you for reminding people that it’s okay to not have everything figured out. That the dark seasons don’t last forever. That there are still brighter days ahead.

And most importantly, thank you for creating something that allows people to feel a little less alone.

Best wishes,
Ryan