Teddy Swims wants to be more honest and open in his music and life.
In a recent phone interview, Swims candidly discussed the emotions and circumstances behind the songs on his current album, “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1).” In December, Swims performed at KIIS 102.7/FM Jingle Ball at Kia Forum in Inglewood. He is coming back to the area to headline Yaamava’ Theater in Highland on Saturday, March 23.
Swims’ first album, released on Sept. 15, 2023, came after the Atlanta area native (real name Jaten Dimsdale) had already gained attention and success online. In 2019, he began his music career by posting videos of his cover songs, which gained millions of views. By the end of 2020, he had a major label deal with Warner Records.
As he continued his online presence, Swims started writing original material and released three EPs: “Unlearning” (2021), “Tough Love” (2022) and “Sleep Is Exhausting” (also 2022).
Before recording “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1),” he had written or co-written over 400 songs.
In a recent interview, Swims explained how some of the best songs he wrote came from a five-day session in Palm Springs, which greatly influenced the album.
Swims mentioned that the song “Some Things I’ll Never Know” set the tone for “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy.”
He shared that the song “Some Things I’ll Never Know” deeply moved him and was about the lack of closure in relationships.
“That’s really, I suppose, the difficulty I’ve always had with finding closure in past and current relationships,” Swims stated. “So once that song came about, I was sure I wanted to address that as much as possible and make this album about healing, asking for help, and understanding it’s okay to feel this way. I believe that song influenced everything I wanted to convey, and everything else fell into place after that.”
In a broader sense, Swims mentioned that the new album reflects his efforts to improve his mental well-being in life.
“I want to be more open and honest with my listeners and with myself,” he said. “I simply wanted to be more vulnerable than in the past because despite having the opportunity to pursue music as a career and share my feelings, there has always been a distinction between Teddy Swims and Jaten Dimsdale. I aim to merge the two and be authentically myself — vulnerable and transparent for those looking in and wanting to understand.
“I want to utilize my platform to seek help and reassure people that it’s okay to ask for help, to be vulnerable, and to feel pain. If I don't have an answer for you, at least there's someone else experiencing the same feelings, and you're not wrong for feeling that way,” Swims explained. “I hope that this album can provide some relief, or simply be a friend who understands and shares similar feelings with them, you know.”
Swims expressed that he feels he’s made significant progress in becoming a healthier person.
“I've gained a lot of understanding about self-love, accepting myself, and feeling deserving of love and affection,” he expressed. “I struggled with this for a long time, and still do, but I've received a great deal of support, guidance, and reassurance from friends who constantly affirm that I deserve what I have, belong where I am, and that I am indeed a lovable and beautiful person. I make an effort to remind myself of this as much as possible.
“So I've certainly learned a great deal about self-love, self-worth, and self-improvement, unlearning certain things and relearning others, and dedicating a lot of effort to personal growth,” Swims shared. “I believe it has made the most significant impact on my life.”
Musically, the consistently enjoyable “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1)” shows Swims becoming more focused stylistically. While it still incorporates various genres, the album predominantly leans towards classic soul with a modern twist. The tracks “Goodbye’s Been Good to You,” “The Door,” “Lose Control” (a multi-genre Top 5 single), and “What More Can I Say” feature strong rhythms, a good amount of energy, and highly melodic vocal lines. The other songs are ballads, which showcase Swims’ strong suit and the genuine emotion he infuses into his music.
Swims said, "I believe this is a soul album, and even if it touches on other styles, one thing you can always say about anything I make is that it will be soul music, for sure,"
