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Teddy Swims

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Teddy Swims
Swims in 2023
Background information
Birth nameJaten Collin Dimsdale[1][2]
Born (1992-09-25) September 25, 1992 (age 32)
OriginConyers, Georgia, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • ukulele
Years active2011–present
LabelsWarner
Formerly ofWildHeart
Websitewww.teddyswims.com

Jaten Collin Dimsdale (born September 25, 1992), also known pseudonymously as Teddy Swims, is an American singer-songwriter whose music blends genres including R&B, soul, country, and pop.[3] He originally attracted fans through song covers on his YouTube channel throughout 2019 and 2020. His third extended play Tough Love (2022) caused him to chart on the Billboard 200 for the first time.

Swims rose to prominence in 2023 with his single "Lose Control", which reached the top-ten in several countries and topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 2024. Considered his breakout single as an artist, it was preceded by the release of his debut studio album, I've Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1), which reached the top ten in Australia and the Netherlands. In 2024, MTV named Swims their "Push Artist of February".[4]

Early life

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Swims grew up in Conyers, Georgia. His father introduced him to soul music at an early age by way of artists like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Al Green.[5] Swims' family were football enthusiasts; he had been playing football for ten years when, during his second year at Salem High School, one of his teachers suggested he and a few of his teammates sign up for a musical theatre class. The teacher also said he should join the chorus.[6]

Swims discovered his passion for performance through his experience in high-school theatre, where he performed in musicals such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Rent, as well as Shakespeare plays.[7] He began playing instruments including piano and ukulele, and watched YouTube videos of singers to help develop his vocal technique.[5][6]

Career

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2019: Early career

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Swims began his music career joining a variety of Atlanta area bands, including alternative rock band WildHeart and post-hardcore band Eris, as well as soul and hair metal cover bands. He was also the lead singer of progressive rock/R&B/soul band Elefvnts. In early 2019 Swims' friend, Addy Maxwell, invited him to rap over some beats he had made, which earned the pair an opening slot on a U.S. tour with Tyler Carter.[5][8] He adopted the stage name “Swims” from internet forum-speak, making an acronym for Someone Who Isn’t Me Sometimes — it was a way to perform in character if needed.[5][9]

In June, Swims posted his first cover performance on YouTube, Michael Jackson's "Rock with You", and continued posting additional covers of artists from a mix of genres regularly including Lewis Capaldi, Chris Stapleton, Amy Winehouse, and H.E.R.[7][10] His cover of Shania Twain's "You're Still the One" posted in October went on to become his most viewed video, with 167 million views as of January 2024 .[11] His videos accumulated millions of views quickly and after releasing one single "Night Off" independently in July, he signed a record deal with Warner Records in December.[5][12]

2020–2021: Unlearning EP

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Swims released his debut major label single "Picky" in January 2020 and embarked on his first headline tour the same month. He released several covers in the months following, including "Blinding Lights" in May, "What's Going On" in June (from which he donated the royalties to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund), and "You're Still The One" (which he had previously posted on his YouTube) in July.[11] Swims released his next single "Broke" in August, and released an additional version with Thomas Rhett in October.[5][9]

In February 2021, Swims released his single "My Bad", which he performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show, and was named an "Artist You Need to Know" by Rolling Stone magazine.[5][13] In March he released his single "Till I Change Your Mind", followed by "Bed On Fire" in April, which he performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and later re-released as a collaboration with Ingrid Andress.[14][15][16] In May, Swims released his debut seven-track EP Unlearning, followed by a tour supporting Zac Brown Band that summer.[17]

2021–2022: Tough Love EP

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In August 2021, Swims released his single "Simple Things" which he performed on The Late Late Show with James Corden in September and Today in November.[18][19][20]

After releasing his single "911", Swims released his six-track EP Tough Love in January 2022.[6][21] Swims performed "Love for a Minute" on Late Night with Seth Meyers in January, and "911" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in February.[16][22] Swims supported the EP with a three-month headline tour through Europe and North America beginning in February, followed by a United Kingdom and mainland Europe tour in May and June.[16][12] Swims collaborated with Meghan Trainor on "Bad for Me", released June 24 as the lead single for her album Takin' It Back.[23][24] Swims and Trainor performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in June and The Late Late Show with James Corden in August.[24][25] Swims also collaborated on singles with Mitchell Tenpenny, Illenium, MK and BURNS, and Telykast.

After releasing a short performance clip in May, Swims released a cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" in August. Swims performed the song on America's Got Talent alongside season 14 winner Kodi Lee and Journey founding guitarist Neal Schon.[26] In September Swims embarked on a seven-week US headline tour.[26]

2022–present: I've Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1)

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Teddy Swims performing an acoustic version of "Rivers" by Six60, 2023

After releasing the singles "Dose", "2 Moods", "Someone Who Loved You", and "Devil in a Dress", Swims released his EP Sleep Is Exhausting on November 4, 2022.[27] He first appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 2023 with the release of his single "Lose Control". The single is from his 2023 debut album, I've Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1).[28]

In 2023, Swims collaborated with Armin van Buuren & Matoma, X Ambassadors, Maren Morris, Meghan Trainor, and Elley Duhé.[29] In March, Swims announced his I've Tried Everything but Therapy international headline tour, including shows in the UK, Ireland, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, and New Zealand in July and August.[30] He also performed at BottleRock, Bamboozle, Boston Calling, TRNSMT, and Latitude music festivals the same year.[31][32][33][34][35] Teddy also opened for the rock band Greta Van Fleet on the tour to support their new album Starcatcher.

On December 6, 2023, Swims performed at Avicii Arena for the Together for a Better Day concert.[36] The concert promoted mental health awareness, and it was sponsored by the Tim Bergling Foundation, to honor the memory of the late Swedish DJ Avicii. At the concert, Swims performed his song "Lose Control" and Coldplay's "A Sky Full of Stars", which was produced by Avicii.

Discography

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Main article: Teddy Swims discography

Studio albums

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Tours

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Headline

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  • Tough Love World Tour (2022)[37]
  • US Fall Tour (2022)[38]
  • Summer International Tour (2023)[39]
  • I've Tried Everything but Therapy (2023–2025)[40][41]

Supporting act

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Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2024 MTV Video Music Awards Song of the Year "Lose Control" Nominated
[43]
Best New Artist Himself Nominated
Push Performance of the Year Nominated
Best Alternative "Lose Control" (Live) Nominated
MTV Europe Music Awards Best New Himself Pending
[44]
Best Push Pending
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Breakout Artist Nominated
[45]
NRJ Music Awards International Revelation of the Year Nominated
[46][47]
International Hit of the Year "Lose Control" Nominated
Most Radio Airplay in France Won
Los 40 Music Awards Best International Song Nominated
[48][49]
Best International Album I've Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1) Won
Best International Act Himself Won
Best International Live Act Nominated
2025 Grammy Awards Best New Artist Pending
[50]

References

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  1. ^ Young, Robin (August 31, 2020). "YouTube Sensation Teddy Swims: 'All I Wanted Was To Be Somebody With Something To Say'". WBUR. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  2. ^ "AMAZING". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  3. ^ Costa, Miguel (October 1, 2020). "Teddy Swims on His Upcoming Debut EP, Writing Process, and Metamorphosis [Q&A]". Ones to Watch. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  4. ^ Dresdale, Andrea (February 2, 2024). "Teddy Swims talks "Lose Control," collabs and tattoos for 'MTV PUSH'". Y94. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Freeman, Jon (February 5, 2021). "The Chameleon Soul of Teddy Swims". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Neunan, Megan (February 18, 2022). "Singer-songwriter Teddy Swims got his start in Salem High School musicals". The Citizens. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Scott, Jason (August 16, 2021). "Teddy Swims: Rags to Riches". American Songwriter. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  8. ^ "Tyler Carter – Moonshine Tour". Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Ju, Shirley (September 1, 2020). "Teddy Swims / Reminiscing About Life on "Broke"". Flaunt. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  10. ^ Rossignol, Derrick (January 12, 2022). "Teddy Swims Shows Off His Remarkable Vocal Versatility With Performances On 'The Eye'". Uproxx. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Hollabaugh, Lorie (July 17, 2020). "Teddy Swims Dedicates Cover Of Shania Twain's "You're Still The One" To His Mom". Music Row. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Kawashima, Dale (October 8, 2021). "Teddy Swims, Rising Singer/Songwriter & Powerful Vocalist, Talks About His New Single "Simple Things" And His EP, Unlearning". Songwriter Universe. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  13. ^ Paskill, Ashley (February 3, 2021). "Teddy Swims releases latest single/video for "My Bad", performs on the Kelly Clarkson Show". That Music Magazine. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  14. ^ Crowley, Erin (March 26, 2021). "Teddy Swims releases new single "Till I Change Your Mind"". Melodic Magazine. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  15. ^ Scott, Jason (April 23, 2021). "Teddy Swims Consumed By All-Powerful Love In "Bed On Fire"". American Songwriter. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  16. ^ a b c Kelia (January 24, 2022). "Teddy Swims Takes Us on a Ride in New EP "Tough Love"". Out Now Magazine. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Brow, Jason (May 21, 2021). "Teddy Swims Shares Why His Debut EP Contains Music That 'Means A Whole Lot To Me'". Hollywood Life. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  18. ^ Miriam (August 29, 2021). "Teddy Swims Unveils New Single "Simple Things"". Out Now Magazine. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  19. ^ "Teddy Swims talks new music and performs 'Simple Things'". Today. November 16, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  20. ^ Teddy Swims: Simple Things (Television production). The Late Late Show with James Corden. September 10, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  21. ^ Hutchings, John (January 7, 2022). "Teddy Swims Debuts New Single "911"". Music Existence. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  22. ^ "WATCH: Teddy Swims Performs Viral Hit "911" On 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show'". Music Mayhem. February 11, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  23. ^ Aniftos, Rania (June 21, 2022). "Meghan Trainor Announces New Single 'Bad For Me' With Teddy Swims". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  24. ^ a b Benitez-Eves, Tina (June 24, 2022). "Meghan Trainor Owns Motherhood and Matrimony on Upcoming Album 'Takin' It Back'". American Songwriter. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  25. ^ Martin, Annie (August 24, 2022). "Meghan Trainor performs 'Bad for Me' with Teddy Swims on 'Late Late Show'". UPI. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  26. ^ a b Vigil, Dom (August 24, 2022). "Teddy Swims Shares Emotional Cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'"". Prelude Press. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  27. ^ Vigil, Dom (November 3, 2022). "Teddy Swims Drops New EP, "Sleep Is Exhausting"". Prelude Press. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  28. ^ Zellner, Xander (August 22, 2023). "Hot 100 First-Timers: Teddy Swims Makes a Splash With 'Lose Control'". MSN. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  29. ^ "X Ambassadors release new single, "Happy People"". ABC.
  30. ^ "Live Preview: Teddy Swims Announces Run Of New UK Shows Across The Summer". Clash. March 13, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  31. ^ Voynovskaya, Nastia (January 9, 2023). "Lizzo, Smashing Pumpkins, Lil Nas X Headline BottleRock Napa Valley". KQED. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  32. ^ Sacher, Andrew (November 22, 2022). "Bamboozle initial 2023 lineup (Limp Bizkit, Rick Ross, Steve Aoki, Finch, Saosin & more) Bamboozle initial 2023 lineup (Limp Bizkit, Rick Ross, Steve Aoki, Finch, Saosin & more) Bamboozle initial 2023 lineup (Limp Bizkit, Rick Ross, Steve Aoki, Finch, Saosin & more)". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  33. ^ "Boston Calling Music Festival Announces 2023 Lineup: Foo Fighters, The Lumineers, Paramore and More". Relix. January 10, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  34. ^ "TRNSMT". Line Up | TRNSMLT | 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  35. ^ "Latitude Festival | Artist | Teddy Swims". Latitude. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  36. ^ Sandén, Molly (November 8, 2023). "Molly Sandén, NOTD, Yaeger och amerikanske soulkometen Teddy Swims klara för Together For A Better Day – Tim Bergling Foundations kväll för ungas psykiska hälsa på Avicii Arena 6 december". kulturbloggen.com. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  37. ^ "Teddy Swims at Le Studio TD – April 26, 2022". The Montrealer. April 17, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  38. ^ Jean-Philippe, McKenzie (August 25, 2022). "What to Know About Soul Singer Teddy Swims, Who Sang With AGT's Kodi Lee". NBC. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  39. ^ Major, Michael (March 13, 2023). "Teddy Swims Announces Summer 2023 International Tour". Broadway World. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  40. ^ Major, Michael (December 12, 2023). "Teddy Swims Announces 2024 North American Tour Dates". Broadway World. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  41. ^ Weatherby, Taylor (October 9, 2023). "Noah Kahan's Big Year: How The "Stick Season" Singer Became A Folk-Pop Hero". Grammy Awards. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  42. ^ "GRETA VAN FLEET's New Album 'Starcatcher' Debuts At No. 1 Across Multiple BILLBOARD Charts". Blabbermouth. August 9, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  43. ^ Guglielmi, Jodi (September 11, 2024). "MTV VMAs 2024: See the Complete Winners List". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  44. ^ Grein, Paul (October 8, 2024). "Women Artists, Led by Taylor Swift, Dominate 2024 MTV EMA Nominations: Here's the Full List". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  45. ^ Verbalaitis, Vic (July 14, 2024). "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2024: See the Complete List of Winners". People. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  46. ^ "NRJ Music Awards 2024: the full list of nominees". Sortir à Paris. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  47. ^ "NRJ Music Awards 2024: Pierre Garnier, Vitaa, Slimane... the full list of ceremony winners". Sortir à Paris. November 2, 2024. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  48. ^ "Estos son todos los nominados a LOS40 Music Awards Santander 2024" [These are all the nominees for the LOS40 Music Awards Santander 2024] (in European Spanish). Los 40. November 8, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  49. ^ "Estos son los ganadores de LOS40 Music Awards Santander 2024 Solidarios" [These are the winners of the LOS40 Music Awards Santander 2024 Solidarios] (in European Spanish). Los 40. November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  50. ^ Frazier, Nina (November 8, 2024). "2025 GRAMMYs: See The Full Nominations List". Grammy Awards. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
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