Artist to Watch: Liam Bauman Debuts “Old Friends,” a Genuine, Unvarnished Reflection on Grief, Guilt, and Emotional Consequences - Atwood Magazine

      Liam Bauman's "Old Friends" is a raw, emotionally intense indie rock explosion—an anguished expression of sorrow, guilt, and the haunting memories of a love that once felt like home. In our exclusive premiere and interview, the Nashville-based rising star shares insights about the heartache and loss that inspired his new song, the adventurous transformation behind his upcoming debut album, Good Try, and the therapeutic impact of creating bold music.

      I definitely gained confidence in producing unapologetic music through this track. I hope others can use it as a way to release their own inner frustrations, making "Old Friends" their new anthem for catharsis while driving.

      * * *

      Liam Bauman is finding it difficult to spend time with his old friends now.

      Not because of any wrongdoing on their part, nor his, but because their names, faces, and presence are entwined with a love that has faded. He discovered grief he hadn't fully acknowledged until it manifested in the music. Bauman's latest single "Old Friends" encapsulates this outpouring: a powerful, emotionally charged confrontation with heartbreak, resentment, and the harsh aftermath of a relationship's conclusion. It is both intimate and loud, unapologetic and raw—a vivid dream of loss set against crashing guitars and a voice teetering on the brink. The singer/songwriter dives deep into his emotional turmoil on "Old Friends," delivering a visceral, heartfelt expression of sorrow, guilt, and the shadows we carry.

      Old Friends – Liam Bauman

      You call my name

      I conceive a grand idea

      I see your face

      And I love you back

      Nothing lasts forever

      But I still have a picture of you

      Keeping it close

      I don’t know why.

      Atwood Magazine is honored to premiere the music video for "Old Friends," the poignant lead single from Bauman's forthcoming debut album, Good Try, slated for release in December 2025. "Old Friends" is a visceral fever dream bursting with unfiltered rock energy and deep introspection, embodying a song that does not shy away from the raw experience.

      Bauman—a 26-year-old Florida native now residing in Nashville—delivers passionate vocals, infusing heartfelt emotion and scars into every moment of this emotional release. His dynamic electric guitar riffs and piercing melodies resonate with resentment and longing, drawing listeners into the chaos of what was and what can never return.

      I can’t even hang out

      With my old friends now

      Every time I hear your name

      I begin to spiral

      And I made it seem effortless,

      But it’s hard for you

      I never lose, I never lose

      I never lose…

      While some songs flow effortlessly, this one required patience, prompting Bauman to confront his painful emotions and carefully unpack their significance—an endeavor that took several months.

      "'Old Friends' is the first single from my upcoming album, Good Try," he shares with Atwood Magazine. "It reflects on a failed relationship, concentrating on the enduring attachment and resentment that can linger long after the end. This is the longest I've ever spent on a single song—around four months in total. The melody and structure came together in about an hour during a night of playing with an acoustic guitar and an old Korg drum machine, but the verses took months to perfect. I completed it just before I moved to Nashville in spring 2022 and recorded it alongside one of my best friends and closest collaborators, Ethan Standard."

      "This track, much like the rest of the album, marks a shift away from the subdued folk style of my earlier works. 'Old Friends' is intense and charged with emotion, leaning towards a heavier post-rock sound. It's the start of a new chapter in my musical journey."

      Having debuted in 2019, Bauman's artistry has significantly transformed over the past five years. His initial EP, Passing Through, showcased a young, emerging singer/songwriter navigating his path through a folk-centered framework. A few years later, the five-track 2023 release, Big Hand, showcased an expansion in multiple directions, incorporating hints of Gregory Alan Isakov’s expansive indie folk style mixed with Bon Iver-esque sonic nuances and an understated yet emotionally resonant overdriven electric guitar—a persistent, yet subtle presence.

      Liam Bauman's 2023 EP, ‘Big Hand’

      What remains constant in Bauman's music is the authenticity present in his writing and vocal delivery, leaving a significant, lasting impact on listeners. "Good things are coming," he sang in the opening track "Dragging Behind" from the 2023 EP—and those four simple words filled with hopeful weight are similar to clinging to "I never lose" in his latest release.

      Blackberry sky

      I had my hands on you

      In a blink,

      And now it’s lost

      Perhaps there's no reasoning

      For what I put you through

      But I don’t know who I am

      I’m glad you do.

      While the