Noah Kahan
Born 1997 · Age 28
American singer-songwriter from Strafford, Vermont. Signed to Republic Records in 2017; breakthrough with the single "Hurt Somebody" and major commercial breakthrough with the 2022 album Stick Season. Known for folk-pop songwriting and advocacy for mental health through the Busyhead Project.
Compare Your Trajectory
See how your career milestones stack up against Noah Kahan and other industry leaders.
Life & Career Timeline
Born in Strafford, Vermont
Noah Kahan born on a tree farm in Strafford, Vermont.
Began writing songs
Started writing songs at age eight — early start to songwriting.
Uploaded early songs to SoundCloud and YouTube
Uploaded songs online as a child; his music began to gain exposure on SoundCloud and YouTube.
Received first guitar
His father taught him guitar; he received his first guitar at age ten.
Attended Hanover High School
Attended Hanover High School in Hanover, New Hampshire during his teenage years.
Deferred admission to Tulane University
Deferred admission to Tulane University at age 17 to pursue music.
First major touring experience (opening for Milky Chance)
At 19 he went on tour opening for Milky Chance — his first notable tour work.
Signed to Republic Records
Signed a recording contract with Republic Records and began splitting time living/working in New York City, Los Angeles and Nashville.
Support/Opening tours (2017)
Served as an opening act in 2017 for Ben Folds & Anderson East, Milky Chance and The Strumbellas.
Supported Dean Lewis (2018–2019)
Opened for Dean Lewis across 2018–2019 dates.
Released Hurt Somebody (EP/single) and breakthrough single
Released the single and EP "Hurt Somebody"; the song gained traction including a duet version with Julia Michaels.
Late Show with Stephen Colbert performance
Made late-night TV debut performing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2018).
Supported George Ezra on The Staying at Tamara's Tour
Served as support act for George Ezra's tour in 2018.
Featured on Quinn XCII's "Tough"
Featured artist on Quinn XCII's song "Tough" (released December 11, 2018).
Opened for James Bay (2019)
Supported James Bay on The Electric Light Tour (2019).
Headlining Busyhead Tour
Embarked on The Busyhead Tour in support of his debut album.
Debut album Busyhead released
Released debut studio album Busyhead (2019), featuring the single "Hurt Somebody" (Julia Michaels duet).
"Hurt Somebody" peaks on Billboard Hot Rock chart
"Hurt Somebody" (feat. Julia Michaels) peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot Rock chart — his first US chart appearance.
Returned to Los Angeles to work on second album
Moved back to Los Angeles late 2020 to record his second studio album.
Returned to Vermont at onset of COVID-19
Returned home at the start of the pandemic and wrote the Cape Elizabeth EP over the course of a week.
Released Cape Elizabeth (EP)
Released the EP Cape Elizabeth in May 2020, written quickly while in Vermont.
Began teasing "Stick Season" on TikTok
Started posting viral TikTok snippets (first verse) of what would become "Stick Season" in October 2020.
Headlining The I Was / I Am Tour
Headlined The I Was / I Am Tour in 2021 (supporting his second album).
Released second studio album I Was / I Am
Released the album I Was / I Am on September 17, 2021.
Headlining Stick Season Tour
Embarked on The Stick Season Tour (2022–2023), supporting the breakthrough album.
Moved to Watertown, Massachusetts with fiancée
Relocated with his fiancée, Brenna Nolan, to Watertown (Greater Boston) in July 2022.
Released full version of single "Stick Season"
Released the full version of "Stick Season" on July 8, 2022 after years of teasing on TikTok.
Stick Season debuts on Billboard 200 at No. 14
Stick Season debuted at #14 on the Billboard 200 — Noah's first appearance on that chart.
Released Stick Season (third studio album)
Released the 14-track album Stick Season on October 14, 2022, produced by Gabe Simon.
Song collaborations rollout (multiple artists)
From mid-2023 onward released collaborative versions of Stick Season-era songs with Post Malone, Lizzy McAlpine, Kacey Musgraves, Hozier, Gracie Abrams, Sam Fender and others.
Named to TIME100 Next
Included in Time magazine's TIME100 Next list on Sept. 13, 2023.
Multiple award nominations (Billboard, Brit, Billboard Music Awards)
Received several nominations in 2023–2024 across Billboard Music Awards, Brit Awards, People's Choice Awards and CMA nominations (various categories).
Saturday Night Live musical guest debut
Made his SNL debut on Dec. 2, 2023 (musical guest).
"Dial Drunk" live debut with Post Malone
Performed the "Dial Drunk" remix live with Post Malone during one of Post's tour stops (summer 2023).
Stick Season summer tour sells out
Announced Stick Season summer dates sold out (Billboard timeline note Jan 6, 2023).
Opened for Dermot Kennedy on UK dates
Began an 11-night opening run on the U.K. dates of Dermot Kennedy's Sonder tour.
Announced the Busyhead Project (founded)
Launched the Busyhead Project to provide resources and information for Vermonters struggling with mental health.
Released Stick Season (We'll All Be Here Forever) — deluxe
Released a deluxe version of Stick Season with seven additional tracks.
"Dial Drunk" debuts on Billboard Hot 100
"Dial Drunk" (original release) entered the Hot 100 at #43, marking Kahan's Hot 100 debut.
Stick Season rises to No. 3 on Billboard 200
Stick Season hit a new peak of #3 on the Billboard 200 (after debuting at #14).
Collaborated on Stick Season candle (Ranger Station)
Partnered with Ranger Station to create a Stick Season-themed candle product.
Released "Dial Drunk" remix with Post Malone
Released the high-profile remix featuring Post Malone on July 17, 2023; later performed it live with Post Malone at a tour stop.
Sold out Radio City Music Hall
Performed to a nearly 6,000-person crowd at Radio City Music Hall on August 31, 2023.
"Dial Drunk" reaches No. 1 on Adult Alternative Airplay
Earned his first No. 1 on a Billboard airplay chart when "Dial Drunk" topped Adult Alternative Airplay.
Reached 1 million Instagram followers
Hit the 1,000,000 follower milestone on Instagram (Sept. 13, 2023).
Released new version of "Call Your Mom" feat. Lizzy McAlpine
Released a new collaborative version of "Call Your Mom" on Sept. 15, 2023.
Announced We'll All Be Here Forever World Tour
Announced a world tour supporting the deluxe Stick Season release, including Hollywood Bowl, Madison Square Garden and Fenway Park stops.
Featured on Zach Bryan's "Sarah's Place" (Boys of Faith EP)
Featured on Zach Bryan's EP track "Sarah's Place" (Sept 22, 2023); the single later peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Olivia Rodrigo covers "Stick Season" on BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge
Olivia Rodrigo performed a cover of "Stick Season" on BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge (covered Oct 2, 2023).
Released duet version of "She Calls Me Back" with Kacey Musgraves
Released a new duet rendition of "She Calls Me Back" with Kacey Musgraves on Oct. 6, 2023.
Busyhead Project fundraising milestone ($1.9M)
The Busyhead Project announced it had raised $1.9 million for mental health services (reported Oct. 10, 2023).
Earned first Grammy nomination (Best New Artist)
Nominated for Best New Artist at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards (nomination announced Nov. 10, 2023).
Released collaboration "Everywhere, Everything" with Gracie Abrams
Released a collaborative version of "Everywhere, Everything" with Gracie Abrams on Dec. 1, 2023.
Musical guest debut on Saturday Night Live
Made his debut as a musical guest on SNL on Dec. 2, 2023.
Released new collaborations and announced final Stick Season rendition
Announced Stick Season (Forever), final version featuring multiple collaborations and new tracks; revealed late Jan 2024.
Won iHeartRadio Music Award — Best New Artist (Alternative/Rock)
Won the iHeartRadio Music Award for Best New Artist (Alternative or Rock) in 2024.
"Stick Season" hits No. 1 on UK Singles Chart
"Stick Season" became #1 on the Official UK Singles Chart (Jan. 5, 2024), the first #1 of the year and Kahan's first chart-topper.
"Stick Season" hits No. 1 on Australian ARIA chart
Reached #1 on the ARIA Singles Chart in Australia in February 2024.
Released Stick Season (Forever)
Released the expanded album Stick Season (Forever) on Feb. 9, 2024, featuring additional collaborations and new tracks.
"Stick Season" peaks at No. 9 on Billboard Hot 100
In April 2024, "Stick Season" reached a new peak of #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 — the highest Hot 100 position of his career.
RIAA certifications milestone (multiple certifications, "Stick Season" 2x Platinum)
As of mid-2024 he earned multiple RIAA certifications, including reported 2× Platinum for "Stick Season" (PopFiltr reported July 1, 2024).
Fenway Park show (sold out)
Performed at Fenway Park (July 18 and 19, 2024 shows sold out months in advance); offered live stream with portion of proceeds donated to Busyhead Project.
Released Live from Fenway Park (live album)
Released a live album titled Live from Fenway Park on Aug. 30, 2024.
Vermont declares "Noah Kahan's Busyhead Project Day"
Governor Phil Scott proclaimed Sept. 19, 2024 as "Noah Kahan's Busyhead Project Day"; Kahan performed a sold-out benefit concert with proceeds to Vermont mental health orgs.
Performed at Glastonbury Festival (BBC broadcast/availability)
Performed a seven-track set at Glastonbury Festival 2025 that was available on BBC Sounds and broadcast by the BBC (setlist included "Stick Season", "Dial Drunk").
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what Noah Kahan and others achieved at these notable ages:
Similar Trajectories
Ben Shelton
Born 2002 · Age 23
American professional tennis player; left-handed power server; NCAA singles champion turned ATP top-10 player with multiple tour titles including the 2025 Canadian Open (Masters 1000). Coached by his father Bryan Shelton.
Shedeur Sanders
Born 2002 · Age 23
American professional football quarterback. Played at Jackson State and Colorado; winner of Jerry Rice Award, Deacon Jones Trophy, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award; selected by the Cleveland Browns in 2025 NFL Draft.
Caitlin Clark
Born 2002 · Age 23
American basketball player; NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer, two-time national player of the year at Iowa, 2024 No. 1 WNBA draft pick by the Indiana Fever, 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, widely credited with boosting popularity of women's basketball ('Caitlin Clark effect').
Trinity Moyer-Rodman
Born 2002 · Age 23
American professional soccer forward for Washington Spirit (NWSL) and the United States women's national team. Youngest player ever drafted in NWSL (2021). NWSL Rookie of the Year (2021), U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year (2021), Olympic gold medalist (2024).
Smosh
Born 2002 · Age 23
Smosh is an American YouTube sketch-comedy collective and production brand founded as smosh.com by Anthony Padilla (joined by Ian Hecox). It expanded into multiple channels, products, and ventures, underwent several ownership changes, and was repurchased by its co-founders in 2023.
Cameron Ward
Born 2002 · Age 23
American football quarterback; played at Incarnate Word, Washington State and Miami; winner of the 2020 Jerry Rice Award and 2024 Davey O'Brien and Manning Awards; selected No.1 overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2025 NFL Draft.