The 'Lose Control' Singer Talks His Leading Song Of 2023 And The Rewards Of Being So Vulnerable At Songwriting
As Gaten Dimsdale said As he was beginning to chart his path as Teddy Swims, he got some great advice from an old friend: Listen to your gut.
Talk to Rolling StoneBackstage at Lollapalooza, Swims remembers his friend telling him, “If you can tell me once in your life that your gut was wrong, I’ll shut up.” For his part, Swims can’t remember a single time when his gut was wrong.
“Since then, I’ve been listening to my gut,” the Georgia singer-songwriter continues. “If I feel something stirring in my soul, I immediately avoid it. I talk about things when they happen; I don’t swallow things. I just trust my gut. And that’s all you can do.”
Then he put his hands on his stomach and said jokingly, “This is the only thing that will support you.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Swims talked about dealing with the painful relationship experiences that inspired his 2023 hit single “Lose Control,” and about getting to the point as an artist where he felt comfortable being extremely vulnerable (and also knowing when to back off).
“I try to be as honest and open as possible,” Swims said. “And I think that attracts people who are willing to do the same, or accept you for who you are. I’m not perfect. Of course, there are some things you’re supposed to keep to yourself, but I try to be honest. I feel like I’ve been so lucky to have this opportunity, to have this job, to have a place where I can showcase my stuff, and let people know that I’m not alone. I feel like the more honest I am, the more honest life around me becomes.”
