Only a handful of artists in the world have as strong an identity and as brilliant a backstory as Teddy Swims, who hails from the state of Georgia. Whether he’s performing on the street, dropping critically acclaimed albums, or playing his soulful music to sell-out crowds, he’s never less than brilliant

What you need to know about Teddy Swims
Raised in the US state of Georgia, singer-songwriter Teddy Swims became a soul music lover after listening to his father play the songs of Al Green.

As he got older, the artist - whose birth name is Jatan Dimsdale - began to emulate the soul singers he knew from his youth. Incredibly, his family realised that could pack just as much of a punch in terms of how soulful his voice was.

After toying with other avenues throughout his teenage years - including playing football and acting on stage - Teddy Swims began taking music seriously when he left high school.

He started touring with various Atlanta-based bands. But at the same time as he was doing this, he was quietly uploading soul covers of popular songs onto YouTube - not expecting them to get much attention, but enjoying the process all the same. To his surprise, he quickly developed a massive fanbase. Noted for his facial tattoos and his one-in-a-million voice, Teddy Swims emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the modern-day music landscape.

But he was beset with difficulties, even as his fanbase grew bigger and bigger. His debut album, 2023’s I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy, was a peek into how the artist was navigating personal doubt, mental health issues, and other concerns - even as he tried to find joy and redemption. He called the album “diving headfirst into healing without any floatation devices.”

Speaking further about ITEBT, he added: "My debut album is an honest look into my mental health journey. I believe therapy could really be beneficial to myself and anyone willing to take the steps to heal. But, for some reason I still have something holding me back. I know there are answers to the questions I’m not ready to ask myself. This album is my first step towards being vulnerable about this journey and the steps I need to take to heal."

Teddy Swims has a truly bewitching country-soul voice and an impressive vocal range. As with other contemporary soul artists like Leon Bridges and Rag’N’Bone Man, he has been praised for his deep vocals and his raw, heartfelt style.

Having grown his career on YouTube, Teddy Swims has also taken up street performance at different points throughout his career. He has collaborated with other artists during busking appearances, including a recent appearance in London with Victor Ray.

Where can I find out more about Teddy Swims
Teddy Swims has elevated from his days as a low-key busker and is now performing at major venues and arenas throughout the world. In 2024, he’ll perform domestic gigs in the US, and gigs in the UK, Ireland, and Europe.