Q&A: Jonah Kagen Shares Reflective EP for the Crossroads of Life in ‘The Roads’
☆ BY Kristian Gonzales ☆
Photos by Jon Vulpine
SET FOR A NEW DAWN — Jonah Kagen is still getting the hang of this thing called life after striking gold with his 2022 debut EP, georgia got colder. Despite amassing over 200M global streams and over 2M monthly listeners, followed by his first headlining tour, Kagen continues to find himself as a self-made work in progress. Fit for the sobering turn of the new year, the singer-songwriter dropped his latest EP, The Roads, on Dec. 1 via Arista Records.
Kagen uses his acoustic-driven sound throughout the six tracks as a tranquil template to dwell on the different moments in his life that led to his current oath. “The Roads is a story of decisions and consequences,” he says. “Each song represents a distinct moment in my ongoing quest to ‘figure it out’ and what those moments did and continue to do to me. Each is a road I’ve taken that has shaped and continues to shape who I am.”
As listeners discover the EP, Kagan hopes “people can find a piece of themselves in these stories.”
“I encourage you to listen with an open heart and an open mind,” he adds. “I wrote these songs to land anywhere — take them as they are, or as they are to you.”
Setting the tone for the project’s meditative aura, Kagen dropped “Pollution,” a mellow folk-rock ballad that highlights the warmth of his vocals and earnest introspection. The artist maintains this soundscape throughout the rollercoaster of ups and downs on the EP in other testimonials, such as the self-titled track and “Made Up My Mind (feat. Lily Meola).”
Recently, Luna caught up with Kagen to learn more about the process behind the EP, his experiences with life away from his hometown of Savannah, and his acceptance in fully uncovering the most sensitive thoughts regarding his mental wellbeing. Read the interview below.
LUNA: Did your experiences touring both as a supporting act and as a headliner have a significant influence on the concept of The Roads?
KAGEN: Not necessarily, at least not in the sense that I was “on the road.” However, being able to interact directly with people — some of [whom] were hearing my music for the very first time — and my own personal experience learning more about the power of live music and touring, certainly did influence my writing.
LUNA: What was the biggest culture shock you experienced while performing around other cities?
KAGEN: It didn’t necessarily experience any culture shock[s], but I did find it so interesting to see how the behavior of audiences varied in different cities. Certain places are considerably more reserved, while other cities are much more rowdy. It’s intriguing to me. I also have so much admiration for the variety of cultures within Europe, so it was amazing to get to experience all of those different cultures in such a short period of time while on tour in Europe with Anson Seabra earlier [in 2023].
LUNA: Were there any particular projects that inspired your storytelling approach on the EP?
KAGEN: Noah Kahan's Cape Elizabeth EP remains one of the most influential projects on my writing. I think it's a masterpiece. Aside from that, Zach Bryan's DeAnn, John Mayer's Room For Squares, and Jason Isbell's Southeastern were all significant inspirations.
LUNA: What was the process behind creating the self-titled track? It seems as if it’s the first track that opened your eyes retrospectively on moments that shaped you as a person.
KAGEN: “The Roads” was one of the first songs I wrote where the words just sort of spilled out. I sat down without thinking about what I was playing and just started talking, and what came out was what was on my brain. I think that's why it feels so conversational, and I absolutely love writing that way. You get something so personal and so authentic almost every time.
LUNA: On “Pollution,” are you speaking about your hometown of Savannah and how things have changed in the times since you’ve been away?
KAGEN: I think all songs are always about whatever the listener thinks they're about, but I wrote it about myself, not Savannah. Savannah was and still is just a part of me, and I was reflecting on how I've lost innocence as I've grown older.
LUNA: What was the road you took within yourself that sparked the idea behind “Made Up My Mind,” especially on how it tackles mortality?
KAGEN: I often find myself heading down the existential crisis rabbit hole. I overthink everything, and the conversation in “Made Up My Mind” may seem so counterproductive and mundane, but it's the sort of thing I get really caught up on. I appreciate the fact that I think deeply, but it certainly carries weight.
LUNA: Is there a specific song that covers a moment that you were initially hesitant to revisit emotionally?
KAGEN: “18.” It's such a personal song, and it felt weird exposing those emotions. I've heard so many times that the best songs are the ones that scare you, so I wanted to try, but it was not easy. It took several attempts for me to write it in a way that felt true to what I had experienced.
LUNA: Rewinding back, what was your main goal as a musician at the start of your journey and what is the most important tip you would tell your past self?
KAGEN: My main goal at the start of my journey is the exact same as it is now — to bring people something they wouldn't be able to get anywhere else. If one person enjoys or is moved by my music, that's enough to get up and keep doing it. I would tell my past self to always remember that in every stage. It's a service job, and that's why it's so fulfilling. It's about people.
