Noah Kahan Discusses Radical Vulnerability and His Upcoming Netflix Documentary at SXSW
Renowned for the raw emotional depth of his indie-folk compositions, Noah Kahan is preparing to pull back the curtain even further on his personal journey. During an intimate conversation with Billboard’s Jason Lipshutz at the Billboard House during SXSW, Kahan and director Nick Sweeney offered a deep dive into their forthcoming documentary, Noah Kahan: Out Of Body.
Set to premiere on Netflix, the film offers an unfiltered look at Kahan’s evolution, capturing the highs and lows of life on the road, his creative process in the studio, and his quiet moments away from the spotlight. However, the transition from lyrical vulnerability to visual transparency hasn’t been without its challenges.
“I’m nervous,” Kahan confessed to the audience. “Being vulnerable in my songwriting has always felt instinctive. But allowing a camera to examine my private life and my family felt entirely different—and much more difficult. Ultimately, I think it’s essential to lean into the things that scare you. People want to see that connection, and you have to prioritize the viewer who might need to see that shared experience over your own discomfort.”
Director Nick Sweeney noted that while the project began as a music-centric documentary, it quickly evolved into a character study of an artist grappling with profound existential questions. Sweeney praised Kahan’s lack of vanity, noting that the singer never once requested to stop filming or declared a topic off-limits.
The documentary is particularly poignant for its inclusion of Kahan’s parents and siblings. Kahan admitted he was more apprehensive about their involvement than they were. “They were incredibly brave to let Nick into our world,” he remarked. “They realized they are the foundation of the stories I tell. The process actually sparked vital conversations within our family that might never have happened without the documentary acting as a catalyst.”
A significant portion of the film is dedicated to Kahan’s roots in Strafford, Vermont. Sweeney interviewed local residents to gauge the impact of having a global superstar as a neighbor. The result was a refreshing reality check for the musician.
“My favorite part of the whole film is when Nick asks people in Strafford if they listen to my music, and they just say, ‘Not really,’” Kahan laughed. “I love that. It’s exactly why Vermont is my safe haven. It remains consistent while my life is changing at 100 miles per hour. One indie-folk singer isn’t going to change the fabric of a town that has stood for hundreds of years, and that grounding perspective is vital to me.”
In addition to personal history, Out Of Body documents the making of Kahan’s fourth studio album, The Great Divide, scheduled for release on April 24. The film captures the breakthroughs Kahan experienced while writing the new material, including moments of seeking forgiveness and reconciliation.
“I found myself literally sitting with my mom and asking for forgiveness for the things I’ve exposed about her life through my music,” Kahan shared. “That level of honesty was incredibly cathartic. It allowed me to approach this new album with a spirit that felt much more open and far less guarded than ever before.”
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