Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Yacht in Culin Dimmesdale moaned to the world as. Teddy
Swims is an American singer and songwriter whose effortless blending
of soul, country, pop, and rn B has made him
one of the most compelling voices of his generation. Born
in Conyers, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta, on September twenty fifth,
(00:20):
nineteen ninety two, Teddy's Swims grew up in a home
where music and football were woven tightly into the fabric
of everyday life. His maternal grandfather was a Pentecostal minister,
which brought gospel and religious tradition into the family, while
his father played a different role by introducing Teddy to
a treasure trove of soul classics artists like Marvin Gaye,
(00:45):
Stevie Wonder, and Al Green left a lasting mark on
his development. This early musical exposure was coupled with the
family's obsession with American football, making Teddy's early years a
unique blend of Friday night lights and after hours reckordless.
At thirteen years old, Teddy Swims experienced a pivotal moment
in his best friend, Jesse Hampton's basement. Jesse's father, Rodney
(01:08):
Hampton would play his guitar and sing, and witnessing a
live version of bon Jovi's Wanted Dead or Alive ignited
something transformative in young Teddy. Determined to be just like
his friend's dad, Teddy resolved that music was the path
you wanted to follow. Nevertheless, his first major passion remained football,
which he played devotedly for a decade. In tenth grade,
(01:30):
a pivotal suggestion from a teacher who proposed that Teddy
and some of his teammates should try out for musical
feed and Chorus changed the trajectory of his future. Although
wary at first, Teddy saw this as a logical next step,
realizing that a football scholarship might be unlikely because of
his height. In high school, Teddy fell in love with
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the players What's Been Going for You? Teddy's book are set,
C and b IF Performing arts, he immersed himself and
musicals such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor dream Coat
and Rent, and even co wrote a Star Wars parody
musical with a teacher, enthusiastically casting himself as Han solo.
(02:12):
The exhilaration he found on stage was matched only by
his appreciation for the expansive styles of music he absorbed.
He didn't just sing. He taught himself to play the
piano and ukulele, and he would study YouTube performances by
his favorite vocalists, always searching for ways to strengthen his
voice and delivery. Despite early maternal skepticism about swapping football
(02:35):
for theater, Teddy's mother changed her mind after seeing him
perform and understood how naturally his talents thrived on stage.
By the time high school ended, Teddy knew music had
to be more than just a passion. After graduation, Teddy
entered Atlanta's vibrant music scene, experimenting with a wide range
of genres. He played in several bands whose styles ranged
(02:58):
from metal, hyphen core, and hair metal to funk and
country alternatives but fun. These years allowed him to discover
the emotional range of music, from the wrongness of metal
to the story telling traditions of soul and country. He
briefly considered a conventional career, even trying his hand at cosmetology,
(03:19):
but ultimately recognized that artistic pursuits were calling him. For years,
Teddy played in local bands, sometimes opening for other artists,
gradually finding the courage to put himself forward as a
solo act. His big break arrived in twenty nineteen, as
the world's attention shifted evermore towards digital platforms, Teddy, alongside
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a few friends, recorded a tender cover of Michael Jackson's
Rock with You and uploaded it to YouTube on the
tenth anniversary of Jackson's passing. The video swiftly gained attention,
and by the next morning, thousands had watched it. That
viral success led Teddy to bed on himself. He quit
his job at Chile's Grill and bar pooled resources with
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friends to build makeshift studios and launched a plan to
execute every facet of his music independently, from songwriting to
engineering to merch He continued to post covers soul hits
by Bonnie Raid, ballads by Shemaiah Twain and watched his
popularity soar. Millions listened and watched his performances, drawn to
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the authenticity and warmth of his voice in stark contrast
to his bold tattooon pearance. Warner Records took notice, and
on December twenty fourth, twenty nineteen, Teddy Swims signed his
first major recording contract. In January twenty twenty, he released
his debut single, Picky. Over the next few years, he
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continued to release music and connect with audiences through streaming
platforms in social media. His early extended plays, including Unlearning,
Tough Love, and Sleep Is Exhausting, displayed a restless creative spirit.
Each one carven out space for soul, country and contemporary
R and B. The twenty twenty two release of Tough
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Love marked his first entry into the Billboard two hundred.
Swims's approach to songwriting has always been personal and fearless.
He draws inspiration from emotional struggles and stories of heartbreak,
which he interprets his opportunities for catharsis and healing. His
songs quickly became anthems for people seeking honesty and hope
(05:31):
through difficult times. Twenty twenty three became a year of
true breakthrough. Teddy released Lou's Control, a steerring single that
examines the turbulence of a toxic relationship with the lens
of addiction. The song resonated powerfully, eventually climbing to number
one on the Billboard Out one hundred. On the heels
of Teddy had success, Teddy launched his debut album, I've
(05:55):
Tried Everything But Therapy Part one under Warner Records. That
album entered the top ten in Australia and the Netherlands,
signaling the start of Swims as alival as an international force.
His stature as an artist continued to rise throughout twenty
twenty four, with Empty v naming him Push Artists of
February testimony to his growing influence on industry, taste makers
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as well as fans. Despite ascending to international acclaim, Teddy's
Swims remains grounded in the sense of individuality and unity
that shaped the music performer. He explains that the nain
Swims stands for some one who is at means.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Sometimes reflecting, has struggle to integrate all the different size
of himself. He continues to inspire and listens by performing
with his long time friends, including the taras Jesson.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
Hampton and placed in the collaborative spirit reminiscent only in
post began.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Then spends much of his own torn writing music and
working on new projects.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
He used each new song as an.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Experiment and emplethem, and each performance is allayed the King
both of my otherwise Nevin Tennison's Journey from George's Football
Fields and high school world of Torums through the pinnacle
of worldwide shops is a story of perseverence, openness, and
belief in the healing power of music.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
For lessness then signed compassion and extolled the vocal abroad
seven sums and means an artist to pose himself full
into ever moment. Thank you, fertain ye, and be sure
to come back each week for a new obaid a
months when happened ten swims. Remember to subscribe Missus Ben
Acquaine's production. More information, check out quant Plans by the
(07:38):
Thanks for listening.