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.