Jonah Kagen released “Matches” on July 26, 2024. I heard a live preview during Summerfest – a 9-day music festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I was honored to sit down with Kagen to ask him a few questions between the two sets he performed at Summerfest on June 20, 2024. He introduced “Matches” as a vulnerable song. He wrote, produced and recorded the song and has more new music on the horizon.
The singer and songwriter grew up in Savannah, Georgia where he started learning to play the guitar at the age of six. His debut EP, Georgia Got Colder, was released in December 2022 on Arista Records. He is on the rise connecting with fans through his voice, sincere lyrics and his multifaceted sound. Kagen’s songwriting expresses a firm grasp on human emotion and empathy, while his music shows an adoration for acoustic guitar stemming from his introduction to guitarist Andy McKee through his jazz musician grandfather.
Q. Why did you choose to be a musician?
A. Music has always been a creative outlet for me and then I fell in love with words….once I discovered that music can be a fulfilling service job there was no turning back. Somebody told me once when I was young that music is the closest connection that humans have to heaven – the closest real, on-earth conscious connection that we have; which I very much believe in. Not just in a religious sense, but in a sacred way. Music is a universal language and people connect and can unite with music.
Q. Has a dream ever inspired you to wake up and sit down to write lyrics or a song?
A. I did have a dream once where I met someone inside a dream. About 8 or 9 months later the person in my dream walked into my real life in a college class. I introduced myself to her because of the dream. We had about a year and half relationship which ended; but inspired some of my songwriting including some of the angsty lyrics I have written.
Q. Who would you love to collaborate with?
A. I have been lucky to have already had some amazing collaborations. I collaborated with Sam Feldt on the track “Catching a Dream.” I also collaborated with Matoma on “Summer Feeling” and Lily Meola on “Made Up My Mind.” One day I would love to collaborate with Kacey Musgraves. Bon Iver and Zach Bryan are also on the top of my dream list for collaborations.
Q. Please name some venues you aspire to perform at one day?
A. Red Rocks of course. Burlington, Vermont has an amazing stage at Higher Ground. In Nashville, the Ryman would be an amazing stage to perform on.
Q. How can fans support your work?
A. It means a lot to me when someone really takes the time to get to know the lyrics. I am not in it for the transactions – like simply buying the merch for example. I think for me if someone really listens and finds a piece of themselves inside a song; that is the most impactful way to support my music.
Q. Would you rather….
movie or book
dog or cat
comedy or horror film
ski or snowboard
coffee or tea
burger or pizza
Please go listen to Matches and his full discography which includes a song title, Colorado!
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