NOAH GUTHRIE – A LAID BACK CONVERSATION WITH THE RISING STAR
By Ralph Beauchamp
Noah Guthrie is a rising star in the Americana/folk panorama. His music transverses many musical genres in the quest of creating something unique and unparalleled. Guthrie‘s songwriting is spectacular. Every song carries its own singular flavor. His voice is just as marvelous with its raspy and gritty inflections. Noah Guthrie is a spellbinding wordsmith who is ready to lead his followers towards new musical horizons.
Noah has already had a few bouts of national exposure. He was a semi-finalist on the 13th season of America’s Got Talent and after discovering his YouTube channel, the producers of Glee recruited him for the six season of the show. Guthrie also fronts a band called Noah Guthrie and Good Trouble.
Guthrie has just released a new single entitled “Root Down”. The track has a special vibe with spectacular vocals and an uplifting cadence. The jangly guitar enhances the entire feel of the tune. The upfront percussions deliver a toe tapping experience while the little in-between fills distribute an extraordinary ambiance. The entire song is a true testament to Guthrie‘s astute songwriting. The single will be on Guthrie‘s new full length which is slated to drop in the near future. Noah‘s last album was Blue Wall (2022) which garnished his big hits “Wishing I Was Wrong” and “Blue Wall”.
Noah Guthrie was kind enough to sit with AMP for this laid back conversation.
AMP: What first got you into music?
NOAH: I’ve been around music since I was a small child. My dad and stepmom are both session singers in the local studios around here. So, me and my older brother, Ian, would go with them to their sessions on the weekends. We just watched our parents do their thing. Music really got into our blood very early. As a freshman in high school, I began dabbling in songwriting. I fell in love with storytelling. It took off from there.
My dad has this big booming soulful voice and I was lucky to inherit that. I started putting covers on-line just to get my name out there. That did help since I had a few viral videos. Before I finished high school, I started touring. I finished my senior year on-line and began playing clubs. I’ve been doing it ever since.
AMP: Your music embraces multiple musical genres. How would you describe your sound?
NOAH: That is one of the most common questions and one of the hardest to answer. To me, it’s kind of a Southern soulful, Americana and folk blend. In addition, there are different facets to that description. The songs I write and produce on my own are very much down that alley. When I am playing with a full band, it becomes more of a rock show. I kind of adapt to the situation. It’s mostly because I listen to a wide variety of music. When I was growing up, there was a lot of classic rock and soul being played around the house. In the early 2000s I gravitated to pop/punk.
I just finished recording a new album a few weeks ago and when I listened back to the tracks, there were a lot of folky grooves with fiddles and mandolins but when the bridges came in, it became more like straight rock & roll. To put it into one phrase, I would call it roots rock with an edge.
AMP: Who were some of your early inspirations?
NOAH: For songwriting, Ray LaMontagne is a huge influence. When I was in high school, I wore out my Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs record. Marc Broussard is another artist that shaped my sound. I think we sing in a similar vein. We both have gritty and gravelly voices. Again, my influences roll over over the place. Wilson Pickett, The Killers and Jimmy Eat World are just a few more. My parents are all about keeping a broad musical outlook and I’ve followed their lead.
AMP: Your new single is “Root Down”. Can you give us a little insight into the track?
NOAH: “Root Down” is a little different from what I normally do. I wrote this song with Bobby Hamrick and singer/songwriter Joy Williams. The writing session I had with them was a big deal because they’re both heavy hitters. We ended up writing this upbeat, almost poppish, track. It’s not something I would typically do but I really enjoyed it.
Originally, I was going to put out an album by the end of the year but that may have to be pushed back a bit. So, I wanted to release something before that and “Root Down” is such a fresh sonic take for me, that it seemed like the perfect choice. I thought my fans would like it and they did. I’m happy how it turned out.
AMP: You reside in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Does your environment effect your songwriting?
NOAH: Very much so, especially these past few years. I feel the biggest inspirations for my songs comes from the nature around me. In my tunes, there will be references to a tree or a bird in the lyrics. I love writing outside and being surrounded by nature. There’s a song I wrote called “Blue Wall”. That track is a love letter to my home here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. After I wrote that song, I felt more connected to my environment than ever before. My home has a huge impact on my writing. Even when I’m touring, parts of the country work there way into my imagery.
AMP: What is your creative process like?
NOAH: My songwriting has two distinct processes. If I’m in a solo session, it usually takes way longer because I usually don’t it all in one sitting. I usually get a chorus, hook or melody to begin with. Then I turn that over in my head for probably too long. Once I get to that jumping off point, I spend more time with it. I then grab my guitar to find a natural progression that I feel fits the vibe. I’m really a feel based writer. It has to feel right.
With my co-writing sessions, which I love, I try to bank four or five snippets of ideas. I’ll walk into the session and lay my thoughts on the table. We have a little bit of a therapy session going back and forth. Eventually, we have a song. It’s usually a three or four hour process and when it’s done, you feel incredible. You have created a tune in just a day.
AMP: This is a perfect segue. Is there an artist you would love to collab with?
NOAH: Several but I always come back to Brandi Carlile. She is someone I would love to work with. Gregory Alan Isakov is another artist that I feel would be great to collaborate with. I just like his vibe. But I have to say Carlile is my go to answer and it’s heartfelt. Not only is she a fabulous songwriter but her production skills are through the roof. She brings magic to every one of her songs.
AMP: You have covered a lot of artists. How do you select the cover songs you want to record?
NOAH: For a long time it was based on popularity. It was a try at the numbers game to get more viewers. It stayed that way for a while but eventually I started to cover songs that I thought were really good music. Publicly, I don’t do cover songs anymore. Once in a while, I will record one for my Patreon members. I’ll throw in a cover I think is really cool. Actually, I enjoy those songs because now it’s just for fun and the enjoyment of my fans.
AMP: What’s your favorite song to perform live?
NOAH: I have a song that’s not out yet. It’s called “Heavy”. “Heavy” is a very personal song in that fact that the subject matter is deep. It’s all about learning to love yourself in whatever body you’re in. I’m a big guy. I’ve always had some struggle with body image and liking myself. I wrote this song with my friend, Molly Brown, a couple of years ago and it’s going to be on the next record.
I really like playing it live because I can see it connecting with people in the audience. It speaks to people of all different shapes and sizes. I love when people come up to me after the show to let me know how “Heavy” resonated with them. Even the ones that seem fit. It highlights how we all have the same insecurities no matter what you look like. Also, it’s a cathartic release for me on stage.
AMP: What’s next for Noah Guthrie?
NOAH: Putting out my record. First a couple of more singles in the coming months. After that, it’s tour baby tour. 2026 is almost already filled up. I have some shows in the immediate future with a short run in Europe in October. Definitely staying busy.
Noah Guthrie will be playing Lyric Hall in New Haven on Thursday August 15th with Frank Viele for support. The venue is amazing. Frank Viele is a true troubadour and Noah Guthrie is a must see. Get your tickets now before they sell out.
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