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Gabe Simon Talks Working With the “Prolific” Noah Kahan, Reveals His Secret to Successful Songwriting (Exclusive)
Producer and songwriter Gabe Simon has described his collaborative approach with major artists, including Noah Kahan, in an interview on American Songwriter’s Off the Record podcast. He said his process centres on curiosity, close listening and helping artists express their own voice, an approach he believes is particularly important for performers accustomed to public attention.
Simon said he begins by discussing themes and learning how an artist naturally structures language, writing extensive notes before shaping them into music. He produced Kahan’s breakthrough album Stick Season despite having no previous folk-record experience, eventually using restrained production to foreground Kahan’s storytelling. Simon also said Kahan is exceptionally prolific, recalling that they wrote “Northern Attitude” in around 40 minutes after Kahan improvised several vocal passes.
In short
- Gabe Simon prioritises listening and artists’ individual voices.
- He used minimal production on Noah Kahan’s Stick Season.
- “Northern Attitude” was reportedly written in about 40 minutes.
Explained simply
Noah Kahan is a singer-songwriter whose 2024 album Stick Season became a major commercial success, establishing him as a significant contemporary artist. Gabe Simon is the producer and songwriter who worked on that album, and he has recently discussed his creative approach in a podcast interview.
Simon's method centres on understanding how artists naturally express themselves and using minimal production to keep the focus on their voice. He worked with Kahan despite having no previous experience with folk records, an approach that proved effective for highlighting the artist's songwriting and storytelling.
Producer-artist collaborations are a fundamental part of how contemporary music is created. Insights into successful creative relationships can help audiences understand the choices behind significant albums in the modern music industry.