Georgia native Jaten Collin Dimsdale, better known by his stage name Teddy Swims, has become one of the biggest names in the world of R&B and soul after his hit single “Lose Control” . Before gracing the Lollapalooza stage with Southern charm and swagger on the festival’s final day, Swims chatted with the Sun-Times about his recent career on the Billboard charts, his early life in bands of iron, why he believes we need it. to have many discussions about mental health and the subsequent interaction it shows.
Q: You recently made history with “Lose Control” becoming only the fifth song ever to top five consecutive Billboard charts, joining Adele and Sam Smith. Have you ever thought that such success is possible?
A: Aren’t those peanuts? Hell yes I did. That’s the only way to get there. But Adele, oh my goodness. This is my next show. As we are sitting well now, I want to hear him sing next to me. I just want to sing with him so bad. You are the best.
Q: I saw the collaboration between you and Adele happen…
A: Oh God I hope so! One day. I’m saying it now, then the next time we’re here, I’ll be like girl, let’s get it.
Q: “Losing Control” is really fun, and it’s featured on your 2023 debut album called “I’ve Tried Everything But Treatment.” Is music therapy for you?
A: Must be. I also think I wanted to say it because there is a meaning to therapy these days – and I had to do a lot to get to this point, to be ready to accept the help or ask for the help I need. I think it’s a good thing for everyone to do, at some point in their life, always in their life, good or bad place in your life. And I think this generation is finally starting to talk about mental health. … Before there was this generational curse especially with men to be tough and hold back and hide my feelings, I have to be tough and I’m not spoiled. I was hoping to help start a conversation and have more discussion like this. It’s up to you, it’s your journey, but I want to talk more about mental health. Let’s talk about our s- – -.
Q: Your first love was actually football – how did you get into music and know this was your path?
A: My best friend in the world, Jesse Hampton (he plays guitar with me now), his dad was the first person I ever saw play guitar and sing, and we were we want to be like his father. Now here we are and her dad is the proudest guy in the f—ing world. We started playing in metal bands. You can still get it – it’s such a sh—y band, but I was a senior in high school and I had my first band, Heroic Bear, and you can find our EP on YouTube. It is absolute rubbish. But you’ll be fine in the end, you know.
Q: You were also in the hair metal bandwagon for a while – did you have hair then?
A: Yes, I did. We had bad eyeliner, everything.
Q: What was your favorite hair straightener?
A: Oh man I love Van Halen, Van Halen is my PADI, one of the best bands of all time. And I’m going down to them.
Q: Swims stands for Someone Who Isn’t Me Sometimes – how does that work when you play?
A: It actually represents the Person I’m Asking for Sex [laughs] … No, just kidding. It started out as Li-Sesa, it was something I would go with as I was involved in the hip-hop project. I’ve always been called Teddy and beat him in front of it. It almost falls into place. I still hate that name but we’re stuck with it now.
Q: With your 2020 cover of “What Happens,” you donated money from it to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund – why did you want to do that?
A: That was such a time, during the epidemic and all the things that happened after George Floyd, where I think it was necessary for the growth of our society to understand that there is no black and white issue without an issue black and white, you know. . There are some issues in the world where things are bad but hate is something that is right and wrong. There is no political issue with racism, you are bad or you are not. It’s hard to know that this is still prevalent in our society … and I can’t say enough or do enough; It is not my story to tell or to say this or that, but I will say that I am a person who makes the music that I do, it comes from that culture and I am here to respect and give love and respect to whoever who gave that to me and moved me. Everyone deserves love and respect.
Q: You started going viral after posting covers of Michael Jackson, Shania Twain and others on social media. That has become the main theme of many Lollapalooza performers this week. What are your thoughts on this music discovery platform?
A: I think it’s a good thing, I have to share [artists] that inspire me. But there was a long-term fear of being stuck in that and that I wouldn’t be able to change what I was really doing. But I think it’s a good way to put yourself out there. Social media is a giant. Get out there and be an entertainer.
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