South African indie artist has just released his follow-up single "Old Friend", a poetic encounter of healing and growth through music.
Image: Supplied.
Emerging from Cape Town's vibrant music scene, South African indie artist David Derman has dropped his latest single, "Old Friend", a poignant exploration of healing and personal growth.
With his lyrical prowess, Derman takes listeners on a deeply personal yet relatable journey, addressing the emotional struggles we all face but often find challenging to articulate.
“Everyone has an ‘old friend’ of some sort,” Derman notes, revealing the song's central theme, which aims to help individuals make sense of past traumas.
Through this musical exploration, he compares these struggles to an "old friend", an unwelcome but familiar presence that revisits unexpectedly.
He explains: “I think the most incredible feeling I have experienced as a musician and through my songwriting is allowing people to feel.
"Both poetry and music are catalysts of deep thought and I hope that my music will induce a therapeutic experience, whether it’s through catharsis, self-identity, or personal growth or simply relating to human experiences that we all share but are often not spoken about.”
‘Old Friend’ is not merely a song but a call to action, a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and addressing emotional turmoil.
“The song serves as a therapeutic exploration of revisiting past trauma that everyone encounters in their own way. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and thereafter addressing these emotional struggles at the right time, as it's often difficult to rationalise them while they’re in turmoil, or when that "old friend" comes to visit you.
"The message reflects the emotional highs and lows of life and the importance of preparing yourself with the tools to handle adversity. Many of us tend to compartmentalize negative emotions, only for them to resurface unexpectedly, making it essential to confront them before they overwhelm us," shared Derman.
Cape Town Indie singer David Derman.
Image: Supplied.
As his first release of 2025, "Old Friend" sets the stage for a broader collection of work that will delve into love, heartbreak, modern politics and existential themes.
Inspired by the likes of Ed Sheeran and Ziggy Alberts on the big stage, the future star grew up in a musical family and was exposed to the art form from an early age.
He says: “I remember watching my mother play Spanish guitar when I was about 7 years old. I immediately had the desire to play guitar and I started taking lessons and watching YouTube tutorials.”
Now poised to pursue a full-time career in music, Derman balances impressive academic credentials, a Masters in Wine Biotechnology, with his musical aspirations.
“My music career was always a side gig to my academics, and now it’s taking centre stage,” he said.
With experience performing in diverse settings, from intimate pubs to one of South Africa's longest-running outdoor music festivals, "Up The Creek", he's ready to elevate his performances to larger audiences that resonate with his art.
Listen to "Old Friend" below.