Jonah Kagen is not here to play it safe. The singer-songwriter, known for his soul-stirring blend of folk, rock, and outlaw energy, has returned with “The Reaper” — a song that feels like a high-speed chase through the most chaotic moments of his life. And trust us, it’s a ride you won’t want to miss.
From the very first chords, “The Reaper” demands attention, weaving a vivid tale of recklessness, fate, and the wild twists life throws at you. Kagen pulls from real-life experiences — totaling his truck, wandering the desert with a stranger, and confronting his own mortality — to create a track that plays like an adrenaline-fueled Western. If his music were a movie, he says it would be a Quentin Tarantino-style fever dream, and honestly, we see it. “The Reaper is out to get everyone eventually,” he tells Celeb Secrets. “Not everything has to happen right away.”
Kagen’s ability to paint such cinematic narratives in his music isn’t just talent, it’s a reflection of his journey. Growing up in a musically inclined family, his grandfather was a drummer who played alongside legendary guitarist Danny Gatton, inspiring Kagen to pick up the instrument himself. Though he started as a guitarist, his passion for storytelling eventually led him to songwriting and, later, singing his own truths.
He credits Andy McKee as the artist who first ignited his musical passion, but his current influences lean heavily on lyric-driven storytellers like Jason Isbell and Adrienne Lenker. And it shows — every lyric in “The Reaper” is meticulously crafted, each line feeling more like a scene in a movie than just another verse in a song.
Kagen isn’t just writing about adventure — he’s living it. Having embraced a nomadic lifestyle, he records and writes from his Airstream trailer, balancing the challenges of a mobile studio with the raw, unfiltered creativity it sparks.
His on-the-road experiences have led to some unforgettable stories — like the time he ran out of gas in the middle of Kansas at midnight and had to skateboard four miles down the highway to a gas station. “Good times,” he jokes. It’s this sense of adventure that translates into his music, giving songs like “The Reaper” an undeniable authenticity.
With over 52 million streams on “God Needs The Devil,” Kagen has already proven he knows how to connect with an audience. But between the emotional depths of Black Dress and the reckless abandon of “The Reaper,” he’s learned one major thing about himself: the importance of accessing his true experience. “It’s like exposure therapy,” he says. “Just knocking down more walls.”
He’s also taking his music worldwide, currently opening for Sam Barber on an international tour. One particularly surreal moment? A fan, who had never heard of him before, breaking down in tears after a show in Europe, overcome with emotion from the music. “That meant so much to me,” Kagen shares.
With a jam-packed festival lineup that includes RiverBeat, Under the Big Sky, and Bourbon & Beyond, Kagen is gearing up for his biggest live moments yet. He’s especially excited for Under the Big Sky, where he was a fan just last year — now, he’s taking the stage.
As for what’s next? He’s manifesting an album, a headlining tour, and — why not — a treehouse. “You kind of nailed literally everything I would like to be doing,” he laughs.
And since we’re Celeb Secrets, we had to dig for one: turns out, Kagen is secretly an escape room fanatic. “It’s very niche, but I just love them so much,” he admits. Honestly? Same.
With “The Reaper,” Jonah Kagen isn’t just releasing a song — he’s inviting listeners into his world, one thrilling, cinematic moment at a time. Buckle up, because this is just the beginning.
Listen to “The Reaper” below and don’t forget to let us know what you think of the song by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecrets.
