Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Noah Schnacky

Noah Schnacky comes from a long line of musicians, so it’s always been an innate part of who he is. As he began paving his own path in the industry, he discovered strength in his vulnerability and authenticity. It’s allowed Noah to create deep and meaningful relationships with fans around the world and made him one of country music’s fast-rising stars. Pop Culturalist caught up with Noah to chat about his career and the juxtaposition between his new singles, “Comeback” and “Where’d You Go.”

PC: Take us back to the beginning. How did you discover your passion for music?
Noah: Dang. Hit me with the real questions. It’s funny, man. There wasn’t a defining moment when I knew I loved it. There have been moments where I knew I needed to chase it with everything in me, but as far as loving it, my grandpa did country and rock music. He passed that to my dad. My dad did country music growing up. So when I came out of the womb, I pretty much came out singing.

My dad is still a huge part of my story with that stuff. He plays guitar around the house all the time. We really connect and bond over music. Growing up as a little kid, I would hear him play the songs he loved, whether that was Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, or Kenny Chesney. His favorites became my favorites until I found my own favorites and kept going. So there was never a defining moment. It was just in me.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Noah: That’s a great question. It could go a bunch of different ways. I could say my dad because he’s had a huge influence on me. I could tell you about the artists that changed my perspective on country music. I remember when I discovered Thomas Rhett.

Like I was saying earlier, my dad was really into country music. Most of the time when we’d listen to music, it was like, “This is my dad’s music.” But when I found Thomas Rhett, I found him on my own terms. That was the first artist that I fell in love with in my own way and during my own time. It made it real for me.

I’m a huge believer that creativity is building on the backs of those who inspired you the most. I could go down the list of people who have inspired me, from Garth Brooks with songs like “The Dance” all the way to Elvis Presley and songs like “Can’t Help Falling in Love”—the songs that connect with your soul.

PC: You’re an artist who is incredibly vulnerable in your craft. Is that ever scary?
Noah: I used to get scared. I feel like growing up, I always did entertainment. There’s a perception that when you’re on stage, you never make mistakes. You never make a flaw. You’re perfect. Somehow that becomes a reality for entertainers.

What I’ve found over the years is that I’ve had to undo that. I feel like I’ve started to get a grasp on the idea of authenticity. Honestly, man, it’s refreshing. It really is. A lot of people will tell you that vulnerability is weakness, but vulnerability is strength. Realness is powerful. There are so many people trying to be perfect. I’m bored of that. It’s terrifying to put your raw, authentic self out there because if you put who you are out there, people will judge it, and they’ll judge it harshly. But you know what? I’d rather be judged harshly for who I am than be judged wrongly for who I’m not.

PC: You have a pair of new singles out. Tell us about “Comeback” and “Where’d You Go.” What inspired the songs/tracks?
Noah: With the tracks, I give a lot of credit to Dann Huff. I’m a country artist and I love country music, but we wanted to build on top of that with the emotions of the song. So when you listen to them, you’ll find that there’s a lot of emotion pent up in those songs that parallel the meaning behind the tracks.

“Comeback” is about reminiscing, longing, and the feeling of insecurity when you don’t know if you’re making the right decision. The track starts with this almost eerie, spooky line that puts you in the mood. Then it immediately hits you with this deep 808 underneath these country elements. When you get to the verse, it creates this angst and tension. We did that because we wanted to take people for that ride emotionally. I give a lot of credit to Dann Huff. He’s the man who turns creativity into genius.

The same with “Where’d You Go” but in a different way. That track was a country track, and we turned it into what it is. It’s got this grand piano solo at the very beginning that leaves you ready for the song. The idea behind that was the song was based on a dream that I had about a girl. It’s like we’re putting you into a dream state before we get into the track. It just drifts off. Then all of a sudden, I woke up and came to the reality that the girl was a dream. I’ve never met her in real life. That was just a moment. I hope that I meet her one day, but the whole song says it: “Where’d she go?”

PC: Why did you decide to pair these singles together?
Noah: They’re kind of a natural pair if you look at them. One’s talking about my past and where I come from. It’s me being as authentic as I can and the stuff that I’ve been through in my own life. The other is talking about the future, the unknown, and where I hope to go and who I hope to find. In that way, it’s fun for me.

PC: I love that. We’re living in really unprecedented times right now. You’ve done a lot of self-reflection during quarantine. What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned about yourself?
Noah: It’s hard to pick one. I’ll tell you that. This is going to sound cliché, but I’ve learned how much value my fans add to my life. I could not do this without them. I’ve had the opportunity to go from fans to friends with a huge handful of them over this quarantine.

Fans made all the difference in my life. It’s really special to me. To get to do that with them, it’s deepened what I’ve already known about my fans, which is that they’re the best. They’re freaking incredible, and I can’t wait to continue to go deeper with them, whether it be through covers, music, or meeting them in person through touring and meetups.

PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2020, what does the rest of your year look like?
Noah: There are more songs coming out. I’m grateful for that. It’s like the light in the far distance in this crazy time. I’m so grateful to bring even a small amount of peace or an escape/hope to people who may need it after so much chaos. We’ve got a song called “Feels Like Love” coming out in a couple of weeks. I’m really pumped about that one. I’m excited by how it came out. It’s a jam.

Then after that, I have another song called “Meet the Man.” It’s one of the songs that I’m most excited about in my career. Y’all are the first ones to know that. That’ll lead into an EP.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Noah: So many. Honestly, I listen to everything, from the 1975 to Old Dominion to “Clair de Lune” to Debussy, the classical artist, all the way to Fall Out Boy to Jason Derulo’s old hits back in the day. I like some old Black Eyed Peas. I’m all over the place. If people saw my playlist, they would legit think I’m insane.

PC: First album you bought?
Noah: This is a funny story, man. The first album I ever bought was American Idiot by Green Day. Back then, I was really jamming out to that stuff. My dad had every country music album known to man, so I thought I was being rebellious and cool listening to Green Day. I brought that home, and I kid you not, by the time that my parents saw it in the car and they heard the content on that CD at the age I was at, that thing was in the gutter by the time the car pulled into our driveway.

PC: That’s hilarious. What was the first concert you attended?
Noah: It’s amazing that I’ve been to so many concerts. I don’t know if I can remember the very first one. I don’t know if I remember the first one, but one of the earliest ones was Taylor Swift. It was one of her first arena tours she headlined.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Noah: Meat and Candy by Old Dominion. I love that album because I was going through a lot. Relationally, I was going through a lot as a young dude growing up. That album resonated with me in every way. “Wrong Turns” made me feel like I had a girl in the car, even when I didn’t. I was coming out of a relationship and “Song for Another Time” gave me peace that other people go through and put emotions to words that I had a hard time describing.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Noah: I’ve got a couple. I haven’t had the opportunity yet to play the Grand Ole Opry, which is a big bummer. I want to play the Grand Ole Opry. Besides that, I would love to play the O2 Arena in London. This isn’t a venue, but it’s always been on my bucket list to perform at the Macy’s Day Parade.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Noah: Someone in the passenger seat who has good music tastes. If I don’t have someone in the passenger seat who’s got good music tastes and fifty percent of the songs we listen to are suckage, I will lose my cool.

To keep up with Noah, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify. Pick up or stream “Comeback” and “Where’d You Go” today.