Old Man was formed in Louisville, KY by Paul Steven Brown and Neil Norman in 2000. Both met in college and shared a love for signature '80s college radio/indie artists such as the Smiths, New Order, R.E.M., Billy Bragg, Husker Du, and the Replacements. While Old Man doesn't attempt to sound like those bands, the group is very aware of the influence on their sound. Despite a number of rhythm section changes over the years, it wasn't until Jana Kohorst and Melissa Gaddie joined in 2007 that Old Man finally reached its full potential as a songwriting and performing unit.