American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan said Paul Simon's work has heavily influenced his own music and songwriting process [1].
Kahan's reflections provide insight into the sonic direction of his latest project and the folk traditions shaping modern indie-folk music.
Speaking during a Rolling Stone cover-story interview for the June 2026 issue, Kahan said the artists who shaped his sound [2]. The interview took place at a rural farm in Tennessee, the location where Kahan recorded portions of his new album, "The Great Divide" [2].
Kahan said specific tracks by Simon resonated with him. He identified "The Boxer" as one of his favorite songs of all time [1].
Beyond specific songs, Kahan said the technical aspects of Simon's performance style were important. He referenced the track "Me and Julio," specifically praising the use of a softer delivery in that recording [1].
Throughout the discussion, Kahan connected these influences to his current creative phase. The Tennessee farm setting served as the backdrop for his reflections on how legacy artists inform the textures of his new work [2].
“"The Boxer" is my favorite song, like one of my favorite songs of all time.”
By aligning himself with Paul Simon, Kahan is positioning his new album, "The Great Divide," within a specific lineage of American folk storytelling. This connection suggests a move toward the intricate lyrical structures and nuanced vocal deliveries characteristic of Simon's era, signaling a shift in Kahan's artistic evolution toward more sophisticated folk arrangements.
