Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Noah Calderan is a singer/songwriter who began self-recording his music in 2020. With a wide range of influences, his latest pop-rock single ‘Teenage Dream’ was a tune that I found myself constantly returning to. Infectious and energetic, the anthemic track has all the makings of a modern-day classic!
Desperate to get to know the musician better, I was stoked when Noah agreed to an interview! Taking us through his current musical inspirations, which song he’s most proud of releasing so far, and what being successful in the industry looks like to him, please give a big welcome to our new friend Noah Calderan!
Hello and welcome Noah! Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us! Before we get into the nitty-gritty, please tell us a little bit about your musical journey. When did your love affair with music begin?
Writing music started as an outlet for me back in 2018. Just getting my thoughts onto paper made me fall in love with songwriting. At this stage, I was still very new to singing and playing the guitar so it was just a pastime where I got any stress and feelings out into words. Going into 2020, I started showing people around me my music and instantly knew I needed to show the world. It wasn’t perfect, but there was potential. By the end of 2020 and only 16 at the time, I had my first single out and officially became an artist.
I’m a little ashamed to admit that my introduction to your music only came with your most recent single ‘Teenage Dream’, but it’s a tune that I’ve fallen deeply in love with! What do you want our readers to know about your latest release?
Man! ‘Teenage Dream’ has been an absolute journey. As soon as I started posting snippets of it and playing to friends, family, and industry connections, everyone and their dogs loved it and it’s seriously the only reason we musicians write music. The support and love have been crazy. From the get-go, I knew this song was going to resonate with everyone because every time I’d work on the song I’d spent most of the time just jumping around my studio and not getting any work done. This song actually started as a TikTok idea. I was going to write a song about the man’s perspective on Katy Perry’s ‘Teenage Dream’ and it quickly turned into this “scream-your-heart-out” pop-rock track.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences? Who did you grow up listening to? And would you say that your tastes have changed over the years?
Growing up the only music played in my household was Ed Sheeran, Matchbox Twenty and Keith Urban. I’m definitely happy with my parent’s musical choices and the foundation that I grew up listening to.
In terms of my taste over the years, my high school years were hip-hop/rap-driven and it was all I listened to day in and day out. Names like Travis Scott, Post Malone, The Kid LAROI, Baby Keem and much more – just every day, on repeat, and it majorly affected my writing. I was set on being a rapper after years of being a singer/songwriter, but I realised over the past 12 months that I needed a creative switch and being a rapper wasn’t where I wanted my path to head, so I started branching my music taste into territory that felt more comfortable. Now I’m in this indie-pop and pop-rock zone and love the music that I’m pumping out so much more. Currently, my music inspirations are the likes of MICO, Knox, Braden Bales, The Kid LAROI (pop), The 1975, 5SOS, you name it!
Could you tell our readers a little bit about your creative process? How do you take just a thought or an idea and turn it into a song?
So usually, my writing starts as one-liners that could be a catchy chorus or pre-hook. I have this note on my phone just full of one-liners that I think of at work, driving, showering, absolutely anywhere anytime I write it down straight away. Then when I’m in my writing zone, playing riffs and melodies on my guitar with this note open on my phone, something would eventually stick. Sometimes it’s purely a working miracle where I’ll mindlessly scroll through samples and loops for inspiration and then BANG, words start splurting out and melodies come to fruition.
Now, I know this is a toughie, and possibly like asking you to pick a favourite child, but which tune of yours are you most proud of to date, and why?
Good question! Probably ‘Grow Old’, my first single to start 2024. This song marks the beginning of a new era for me as an artist and is most likely where I’ll stay sonically for a while. I feel so comfortable in my music and my own ability with this style of music I’m creating where people can actually hear “me” and not this tryna-be rapper version of me. It’s not only that this music is where I feel happiest, it makes people around me and listeners happy as well. ‘Grow Old’ is also the best song I’ve had to date that was completely organic, with no help from playlisting or professional help. All me, my music, and the social media grind.
What would “being successful” in the music industry look like to you? And is it something that you think about when creating new music?
For me, being successful in music is two things: creating timeless hits that make listeners feel something or relate to, and two, touring the world with your little creations and hearing crowds of people singing the words back to you. This for me is what I long for.
OK, Noah – desert island time! You’re allowed to grab 3 albums before being stranded on an island. Which do you choose?
Love this question! So number 1, no doubt about it, is ‘X’ by Ed Sheeran. Literally the definition of timeless crowd-pleasers. If I could start a party with the animals on this stranded island, it’s with this masterpiece. Number 2 would have to be ‘North’ by Matchbox Twenty. What can I say except it’s the embodiment of my childhood in musical form. And number 3 would be ‘How To Lose A Girl in 7 Songs’ by Knox. Man this EP is just incredible. Knox is one of the artists that helped me into this sonic zone that I’m currently in and I love every single one of the songs in this record.
Thanks so much for your time Noah! It’s been a pleasure getting to know you a little better! Before we let you go though, what more can we expect from you going forward?
YES! So much more. This is a Mesmerized exclusive – I’m planning an end-of-year 2024 EP which is gonna be so much fun to finish and share with the world. I can’t wait!
