takin' a walk – Music Discovery with Singer-Songwriter Noah Floresch: New Music "Francis Aquarius"
Podcast Host: Buzz Knight (iHeartPodcasts)
Date: October 14, 2025
Overview
In this episode, host Buzz Knight takes a deep dive into the creative journey of indie singer-songwriter Noah Floresch. The conversation explores Noah’s incredible musical output, his approach to songwriting, his influences, the story and themes behind his new album "Francis Aquarius," and the interplay between authenticity and the expectations of an evolving music industry. The episode is engaging, candid, and filled with reflections on legacy, creativity, and the search for musical meaning.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Walk with History: Icebreaker Question
- [04:21] Buzz opens with his signature “icebreaker”: whom would Noah take a walk with, living or dead?
- Noah’s choice: Abraham Lincoln—citing admiration for Lincoln's character, leadership, and humanity, as inspired by the movie "Lincoln."
- “He’s just such a fascinating character… you think about him as this, you know, larger than life… figure in American history…unbelievable weight on that man's shoulders and what he dealt with. I feel like he’d be cool to talk to.” – Noah [04:40]
- Funny moment: Abraham Lincoln was also named by Maggie Rose, the guest on the previous episode. Noah admits Sir Paul McCartney would’ve been his alternative, but felt it was too “obvious”.
2024: A Year of Output, Experimentation, and Learning
- [07:32] Buzz reflects on Noah’s “pretty good year” with singles like “Loneliest Girl in the World,” “Clean,” and “The Bird Song.”
- Noah describes 2024 as a time of playing to the market—teasing tracks on social media, especially TikTok, only releasing the songs that gained traction.
- “When I tease ‘Clean’ and [it] got a response, it was like, oh great, let’s put this thing out. Let’s give it a chance, let people live in it.” – Noah [08:22]
- Touring milestones: First experience on the road opening for Ricky Montgomery, then headlining his own tour.
- Creative tension: While the year was full of highs, Noah expresses a yearning to move away from “playing the game” of market validation, favoring a return to pure, personal creation.
- “I wanted to hole up and make something for me and then give it to the world, because that feels a bit pure.” – Noah [10:44]
Music Roots: The "Mount Rushmore" of Influences
- [11:49] Noah chooses his four most formative musical influences:
- Fleetwood Mac (childhood classic, family road trips, sensory memory tied to the live version of “Tusk”).
- Vampire Weekend (introduced by his older brother, major indie influence).
- Gregory Allen Isakov (deep emotional impact as a lyricist; “I cried the whole time” at his live show, one of the few times Noah surrendered from analyzing and just enjoyed).
- Cameron Winter/Geese (recent influential favorite; admires the experimental sound and songwriting).
- Buzz connects: Multiple artists cite Gregory Allen Isakov as inspiration; reveals the interconnectedness of Nashville’s creative scene.
The Art and Math of Song Selection
- [22:43] Buzz: “As somebody who's released over 70 songs since 2018...How do you decide which songs deserve to be on the next release?”
- Noah’s metaphor: Album creation is like placing marbles on a stretched cloth shaped by a gravitational center; “songs orbit” around a thematic or sonic core.
- “If I have a pocket of songs that are fitting together really well...that feels like a pocket of gravity to me. And then I can start writing songs [around] that direction...and eventually enough songs stuck that I was like, this makes sense. This is a narrative. This is a space, and it's ready to be seen.” – Noah [24:03]
- Alternate analogy: Buzz compares it to a pilot’s landing checklist—each song must pass certain criteria, both technical and emotional.
Behind "Francis Aquarius"
- [27:38] Buzz probes the creative process and restlessness leading up to the album.
- Origin: The album title comes from Noah’s middle name ("Francis") and his astrological sign ("Aquarius"). [28:53]
- Alter ego: Francis Aquarius becomes a kind of “character study,” a vehicle for self-examination, with many songs exploring insecure or flawed facets of himself, often written during periods of touring and personal uncertainty.
- “He kind of sucks. He’s kind of a bad guy…It’s parts of me that over the last, you know, year and a half, have popped up every now and again…” – Noah [29:34]
- Creative restlessness: The album is never truly “put to bed” until release; even days before, Noah finds himself questioning the work’s worth by listening to it in full.
Spirituality, Family, and Inner Conflict
- [31:01] Buzz asks about spiritual themes, referencing Noah’s brother (a monk) and aunt (a nun).
- Noah’s response: While raised Catholic and briefly envisioned an album split between Catholic-themed and secular songs, he didn’t pursue the concept long-term. Instead, he acknowledges a sense of Catholic “shame” about certain song topics rather than outright spiritual seeking.
- “I wouldn’t say I’m so much, like, looking up to God being like, help me out on this one, man, as I am being like, sorry, there’s just shame there with some of the subject matter and whatever else, which is pretty Catholic of me.” – Noah [32:44]
- Family dynamics: Noah’s brother, in earlier stages, used to critique Noah’s lyrics as "too sexual" or similar. Now, as a monk without modern tech, he’s out of the musical loop; Noah appreciates the colorful diversity of his family.
The Meaning of Legacy
- [34:56] Noah elaborates on how he sees artistic legacy and success.
- Duality: Sees future as balancing commercial growth with creative, groundbreaking responsibility.
- The Real Goal: The truest form of legacy is impact, not fame or lasting name recognition.
- “Wanting to be remembered is not so different from wanting to sell a zillion records….What is a legacy worth then? You know, for me, it’s worth lies in the impact that you make. It’s like in its ripples. It doesn’t have your name necessarily attached to it….That’s a beautiful thing that I like to imagine.” – Noah [36:33]
- Freshness and humility: Noah hopes his work feels "fresh" for listeners and makes a quiet, enduring difference.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “I’d love to leave a legacy that… people are like, ‘I'm inspired by this music to make music.’ What a special thing.” – Noah [00:01], revisited at [17:42]
- “When I go to shows, I never really get into the music like that because I’m always studying. It’s like a curse of mine... Gregory Allen Isakov, that is one of very few shows I was not studying at all. I was just actually in it, like a real audience member enjoying it.” – Noah [14:26]
- (on Francis Aquarius as an alter ego) “He’s fun, though. It’s parts of me that... have popped up every now and again...” – Noah [29:34]
- “I want my legacy to exist in good feeling and good faith and good action.” – Noah [39:01]
- “You are a breath of fresh air, Noah.” – Buzz [39:13]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 04:21 – The "walk with anyone" icebreaker; Noah’s answer and fun overlap with previous guest
- 07:32 – Recap of 2024's singles, social media strategies, and touring experiences
- 11:49 – Noah’s Mount Rushmore of music influences
- 22:43 – Decision-making in song selection for releases and bodies of work
- 27:38 – The creative restlessness behind "Francis Aquarius"
- 31:01 – Spirituality, family, and the artist’s inner conflict
- 34:56 – Reflections on legacy, meaning, and artistic impact
Tone & Style
The conversation is intimate, warm, and full of good-natured humor. Buzz’s curiosity and Noah’s openness create a trusting space for exploring the complexities of artistic identity, family, and ambition. Listeners are invited to reflect not only on the hidden layers behind music, but also on the broader significance of creativity, legacy, and honest self-expression.
Conclusion
This episode offers a revealing look at Noah Floresch’s evolving artistry and the deeply human processes that underlie his music. Whether discussing influences, family, or internal expectations, Noah’s candor and Buzz’s insightful prompts deliver a compelling, relatable portrait of an artist striving for both connection and originality—with plenty of wisdom for musicians and fans alike.