Meet Noah

Even though it’s so fulfilling to share things you have created with others, be it art, music, or even food, it’s important to create for yourself. It’s easy to fall into a cycle of creating to please others. But if that happens, the personal connection and expression can be lost. If there’s any artist I know who creates for themselves, it’s Noah Kahan. You can’t listen to his music and deny the presence of his heart. That’s why I love his music so much!

Throughout 2020 he did livestreams on Instagram at least once a week, and I got to watch him share new music and new ideas for hours on end. Noah and his music were one of my lifelines of the year, and still are. It was so inspiring to watch him fight to develop his creative process despite the times—it showed me just how powerful songwriting can be.

His music is uniquely his. And the brutal honesty and rawness is what allows me as a listener to connect to his work. He is able to put feelings to words in the most poetic, truthful way. Somehow he has the guts to be vulnerable with the world—a notoriously difficult task. In the limited songwriting I’ve done, I’m hardly able to play my music for others. I might be able to record bits and pieces and put them on my story, but sharing the whole thing is a lot, especially when playing live.

That being said, not every single work we produce needs to be shared with the world. I often feel an impulse to share things on social media, because if I’m not constantly updating my life status then I practically don’t even exist, right? Ha, think again. And I don’t think I’m alone in feeling this way.

It’s why it’s so hard to sit in silence. We’re so used to sharing and receiving constantly. Sometimes I feel like the noise in my head stops me from hearing myself think.

And if I’m having these issues, how much more will my students struggle with these things? I want to create a safe place for my students to create and share music, but I also need to factor in the importance of letting them create for themselves. I think this means allowing them to find their own musical identities and to let them express the musical sounds that live in their heads. Also, encouraging them to use music as a form of expression. All music expresses something, but sometimes we fall into the trap of seeking perfection and tending to the technicalities. Approaching music in a “creating” mindset helps me tap into expression.

And the process of writing music isn’t something you naturally pick up. Songwriting, composition, you name it. Being able to deeply express yourself through any medium takes time and patience. Noah talked about songwriting like a muscle—write a little bit every day, even if you don’t think it’s quality stuff. And also, writing about whatever it is you need to write about in that moment. Through this process, you’ll both develop your musical/songwriting “muscles” and gain further self-awareness of who you are as an individual.

I’m sure all songwriters and composers alike have a huge pile of ideas in their “musical recycle bin.” I know I do. But as I keep reminding myself, art isn’t meant to be perfect, it’s meant to be real. And nothing real is perfect. My best work has always been created in the moments where I truly needed to write. We generate music to develop the muscle, and we celebrate music when it means something.

It’s important to remember that muscles grow only with time and dedication. I am thrilled to begin my journey as a music educator because I’ll get to watch these muscles grow every day in my students, and I’ll get to mentor them and grow alongside them.

Another reason why I love Noah’s music so much is because he’s so transparent about his growth. And because of his transparency, I’ve been able to watch him grow as an artist. Just listen to his music, you can hear the growth across his albums! And then give a good listen to Godlight and soak in the meaning. He’s come so far, and though we’ve never formally met, I’m exceedingly proud of him.

I look forward to when I’ll be able to feel exceedingly proud of the students in my classroom. I am truly blessed to join a profession where I get to make a living mentoring—and watching—growth.

Remember to create creatively,

- Maggie