David Derman explores themes of personal healing and growth in new single ‘Old Friend’.
He recently performed at Up The Creek and is quickly building a name for himself.
His latest single ‘Old Friend’ is currently on the KFM chart and was also no 1 on the 5FM SA Indie Chart for 2 weeks. His songs are thought provoking, but enjoyable at the same time.
Stream Old Friend
He also studied wine biotechnology before becoming a full-time musician.
“Everyone has an ‘old friend’ of some sort,” says David Derman.
The songwriter took to music to try make sense of past hurts and feelings, emotional struggles he eloquently terms ‘old friend’, resulting in a very personal yet relatable cathartic experience.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.”
He continues, “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 rationalize 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.”
The single is his first release of 2025, and is a beautiful introduction to an extensive body of work that explores themes such as love, heartbreak, politics, modern world perceptions and issues. Since music is a universal language and has the ability to cross boundaries, the Cape Town based musician hopes that his music will bring peace and understanding to his listeners across the globe, regardless of stature, ethnicity, age or identity.
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.
Following in the footsteps of his great-father, who was a famous conductor and multi-instrumentalist, Derman is finally pursuing a professional career in music.
Gifted with talent, good looks and brains (he has a Masters in Wine Biotechnology), the multi-talented artist is equally destined for success.
“My music career was always a side gig to my academics and now it’s taking centre stage,” he says. “I have learnt how to perform in many different environments such as pubs, fine-dining restaurants, weddings, festivals and I am ready for the next step, which is performing my original sets on big stages with audiences that resonate and engage with my art.
What is your purpose?
My purpose evolves through the chapters, right now it’s to use my songwriting ability to bring as much music to life as I possibly can.
What does music mean to you?
Music is a language that is a lot more fun, powerful, and interesting to use than spoken word.
My music is about
A bit of everything, but obviously we as musicians love to write about the heart.
What is your motto?
Be kind, understand deeply, and laugh freely.
Fame is about
Having a team behind you to sing out every song at your shows.
Retirement will happen when
Never! I’ll probably have my guitar on my deathbed.
I don’t do Gymnastics
I would love to co-write with Noah Kahan.
Where do you go for inspiration to create?
I’ll write a few random chord progressions on my guitar at home, and I’ll go for a surf and make up a melody most of the time. The beach is my creative space.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?
You get to be playful and creative every day.
The song you must do during every show?
Stick Season- Noah Kahan
Any funny moments on stage?
Almost every show. Last week at a wedding, a kid accidentally switched my vocal pedal to “Helium voice” while I was performing ‘Hotel California’. It ended up sounding like an Alvin and the Chipmunks rendition.
My heroes are
Roger Federer and Alan Watts
My style icon is
Shawn Mendes
Which living person do you admire most and why?
Right now, it’s the surgeon that performed a successful heart surgery on my grandmother last week.
What is your most treasured possession?
My blue winter hoodie. It’s the most comfortable clothing item on the planet and it turns into my pillow when I travel.
It’s your round; what are you drinking?
Orange flavour rehydrate.
Dream gig to do?
Glastonbury
What makes you stand out?
I can perform a music and wine pairing for you
Any nicknames?
“Big-wave Dave”, and “Small-wave Dave” depends on the season.
If you were not a musician, what would you do?
I’ve got a masters degree in wine biotechnology, so I’d definitely work in the wine field.
Pick five words to describe yourself?
Active, keen, joker, thinker, overthinker.
Five must have songs on your Spotify playlist please:
Tattoos – Ziggy Alberts,
Automobile – Kaleo,
Old Friend – David Derman,
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room – John Mayer,
Amsterdam – Gregory Alan Isakov
Greatest Movie Ever Made?
Chasing Mavericks
What book are you reading?
Mastery – Robert Greene
What song changed your life?
Yellow light – Of Monsters and Men
Who do you love?
All the kind people in the world
What is your favorite Word?
Bru
Top of your bucket list?
To go on a world tour once I release a few albums
Your greatest achievement?
Finding the balance between my university and music career.
What do you complain about most often?
The swell reports in Summer
What is your biggest fear?
Losing my voice
Happiness is
relaxing and having a laugh.
On stage, I tend to
think about the logistics of a crowd surf.
The best life lesson you have learned?
We live on a rock in space, don’t take life too seriously.
What has been your favorite journey so far?
Solo travelling in Europe with my guitar for the first-time last year.
Do you do charity work, and if you do – what do you do?
During covid times, I volunteered at the NSRI and trained as a rescue swimmer. I found it was a useful and meaningful thing I could do with my time while back at home from university.
Wishes and dreams?
To see the world, to be happy and healthy, and to be there for the ones that are there for me. I do dream about the day that I’ll have a few albums out there too.
What are your YouTube links?
https://www.youtube.com/@daviddermanmusic
Social media links
https://www.instagram.com/david.derman/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063754701356
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